Jayne Kennedy: Difference between revisions

| caption = Kennedy c.in 1980

| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[WashingtonWickliffe, D.C.Ohio]], U.S.}}

Jayne Kennedy was born Jayne Harrison in Wickliffe, Ohio, one of six children. Her parents Herbert and Virginia Harrison taught their children to "aim high, give God most of the credit, suffer disappointments silently, and avoid maliciousness."<ref>''[[The News Journal|The Morning News]]'', Wilmington, DE; 11 Oct 1978, pg. 41</ref> In high school, she was on the cheerleading squad, was a member of the National Honor Society, was vice-president of the sophomore class, and president of the junior class.'<ref>[[The News Journal|The Morning News]]'', Wilmington, DE; 11 OctDelaware, 1978-10-11, pgPage. 41''</ref>

In May 1985, Kennedy married actor Bill Overton in [[Bermuda]]. The wedding was small, and the parents of both Kennedy and Overton attended.<ref>''[[The Orange County Register]]'', Santa Ana, CA; 15 June 1985, pg A2</ref> The couple havehas four children: Overton's daughter Cheyenne (b. 1982) and their three daughters Savannah Re (b. November 20, 1985), Kopper Joi (b. May 17, 1989) and Zaire Ollyea (b. September 15, 1995).<ref>''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' Magazine (December 1996)</ref> Kennedy and Overton celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in May 2020.

Kennedy was crowned [[Miss Ohio USA]] in 1970, going on to compete in the top ten in the [[Miss USA Pageant1970]].<ref>''[[The News Journal|The Morning News]]'', Wilmington, DE; 11 Oct 1978, pg. 41</ref>

Throughout the 1970s, Kennedy played guest roles in such television shows as "''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]''," "''[[Sanford and Son]]''," and "''[[Starsky & Hutch]]''."<ref>''The Baltimore Afro American'', Baltimore, MD; 13 August 1977, pg 16</ref> She found work in many commercials of the era for such companies as [[Foster Grant]], [[Chrysler Corporation]], and [[McDonald's]]. She also played a lead role in the 1977 film ''Big Time'', which featured a soundtrack by the film's producer Smokey Robinson.<ref>''[[Baltimore Afro American]]'', Baltimore, MD; 13 August 1977, pg 16</ref>

In 1982 she began hosting the syndicated television show "''Greatest Sports Legends''," in which she interviewed such luminaries as [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] and [[Johnny Unitas]].<ref>''[[The Macon Telegraph]]'', Macon, GA; 3 Apr 1983, pg 55</ref>

During the mid-1980s Kennedy appeared in TV commercials for the [[The Coca-Cola CorporationCompany]]’s [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]] soft drink, and for [[Jovan Musk]] perfume.<ref>''[[The Atlanta Voice]]'', Atlanta, GA; 24 May 1986, pg 11</ref> Kennedy joined the exercise-video craze of the mid-1980's with the release of her own video "Love Your Body," which was distributed by [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video]].<ref>''[[LA Weekly]]'', Los Angeles, CA; 17 Jan 1985, pg 43</ref> She advised in the video to "[e]stablish a positive belief in yourself. Learn what your body needs and love it for what it is."<ref>''[[LA Weekly]]'', Los Angeles, CA; 17 Jan 1985, pg 43</ref>

In 1990, Kennedy and Bill Overton produced ''The Journey of the African American'', with performances in Atlanta and a 30-week run in Los Angeles.<ref>''[[The Atlanta Constitution]]'', Atlanta, GA; 8November Nov8, 1990, pg 94</ref>

Kennedy has added her support to many charitable causes over the years through appearances and speaking engagements. She co-hosted "The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars" in 1986, which raised $10 million for [[The United Negro College Fund]].<ref>''[[Chicago Metro News]]'', Chicago, IL; 20December Dec20, 1986, pg 16</ref> Kennedy was a keynote speaker at the Evanston [[Martin Luther King]] celebration in 1987.<ref>''[[The Evanston Courier]]'' Evanston, IL; 7January Jan7, 1987, pg 12</ref> In 1988, she became the national spokesperson for The [[National Council of Negro Women]], which presented annual, nationwide Black Family Reunion Celebration clinics and seminars.<ref>''[[The San Francisco Examiner]]'', San Francisco, CA; 9 November 9, 1988, pg D-3</ref> She was a speaker at the 12th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner in Columbia, South Carolina in 1990.<ref>''[[Aiken Standard]]'', Columbia, SC; 17 May 17, 1990, pg 8A</ref>

[[Category:Women sports announcerscommentators]]