Phil Keoghan
Encyclopedia
Philip John "Phil" Keoghan (icon; born 31 May 1967) is a New Zealand
-born television
personality, best known for hosting the U.S.
version of The Amazing Race
on CBS
, since its 2001 debut. He is also the creator and host of No Opportunity Wasted
, which has been produced in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada
. He has won eight Emmy Award
s for his work.
, 22 km (13.7 mi) south of Christchurch
, Keoghan spent a considerable part of his childhood in Antigua
and Canada
. He attended St Andrew's College, Christchurch
.
While completing a TV cameraman apprenticeship, he successfully auditioned for New Zealand children's show Spot On at age 19. After a series of further presenter work on television in New Zealand television, including as a reporter on That's Fairly Interesting
, he set off to further his career abroad. Before joining The Amazing Race, he was considered, but not selected, as a host for Survivor. For his hosting of The Amazing Race, Keoghan was nominated for the 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
in the second year of the award's creation but lost to Jeff Probst
of Survivor. In a 2002 interview, he admitted that his pay for a single episode of The Amazing Race is more than an entire year on Spot On.
According to his book, No Opportunity Wasted, Keoghan set out to live his life to the fullest by accomplishing exotic goals and taking risks after a near-death experience at the age of 19. Since then, he's broken a world bungee jumping
record, gone diving in the world's longest underwater cave
s, eaten a meal on top of an erupting volcano
, and renewed his vows underwater. He was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show
, where he shared with Oprah
his list of things he wants to do before he dies.
From 28 March to 9 May 2009, Keoghan performed in "Ride Across America", in partnership with several organizations including GNC
, to raise money for multiple sclerosis
research. Keoghan and others biked 3,500 miles from Los Angeles to New York City, averaging 100 miles per day. Keoghan stopped in 39 cities en route, attending various events and participating in casting for season 15 of The Amazing Race; the ride culminated a day before the finale of season 14. The event raised $500,000, with over $400,000 coming from in-store donations during the ride. His documentary movie The Ride about his ride across America, premiered on 3 February 2011.
Shortly after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Keoghan traveled to his hometown to ensure his family was safe but also to record segments for The Early Show
to implore viewers to provide aid to the New Zealand Red Cross and to promote continued tourism, a fundamental part of New Zealand's economy, to the country.
At the same time, he participated in recording Air New Zealand
's new safety video for its domestic jet fleet. Keoghan has hosted over 1,000 different programme episodes.
In June 2010, it was announced that Keoghan would host and produce a new reality series about the VELUX 5 Oceans Race
. He told TMZ
in 2010 that during the 10th season of The Amazing Race he was detained in Ukraine for two days until the U.S. ambassador in Ukraine worked all night to free him.
Phil has also his own energy bar; NOW Energy Bar. It comes in two flavors; Peanut&Caramel and Honeycomb with Chia&Raisins.
. They also have two homes in New Zealand, in Matarangi
(on the Coromandel Peninsula
) and in Westport
.
Dr. John Keoghan, Phil's father, is an agricultural scientist involved with conservation
in New Zealand. He appeared alongside his son as a Pit Stop greeter during the 13th Season
of The Amazing Race when the racers stopped in New Zealand. John Keoghan and his wife Beth run a bed and breakfast
in Rolleston
.
His brother, Andrew Keoghan
, was a television reporter on Television New Zealand
's One News and is a successful jazz singer. His sister, Ruth Keoghan Cooper, is an MBA graduate of Sydney
's Macquarie University
. She specialises in coaching, training and development programmes for professional women who wish to combine successful careers with motherhood.
Keoghan has worked in more than 70 countries as a television host, producer, writer, and cameraman. Some of the shows Keoghan has been involved with include:
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
-born television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
personality, best known for hosting the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
version of The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...
on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, since its 2001 debut. He is also the creator and host of No Opportunity Wasted
No Opportunity Wasted
No Opportunity Wasted is a television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on October 3, 2004. It was created by Phil Keoghan, better known as the host of the reality show on CBS entitled The Amazing Race....
, which has been produced in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has won eight Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s for his work.
Biography
Born in the town of Lincoln, New ZealandLincoln, New Zealand
Lincoln is a town in the Selwyn District of Canterbury, New Zealand. The town has a population of 2,727.-Location:It is located on the Canterbury Plains to the west of Banks Peninsula, 22 kilometres south of Christchurch.-History:...
, 22 km (13.7 mi) south of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, Keoghan spent a considerable part of his childhood in Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He attended St Andrew's College, Christchurch
St Andrew's College, Christchurch
St. Andrew's College Christchurch, New Zealand is a private, co-educational school that enrolls from Pre School-Year 13. It was founded in 1917 and it is the only independent, co-educational primary and secondary school in New Zealand's South Island. Although now a fully co-educational school, it...
.
While completing a TV cameraman apprenticeship, he successfully auditioned for New Zealand children's show Spot On at age 19. After a series of further presenter work on television in New Zealand television, including as a reporter on That's Fairly Interesting
That's Fairly Interesting
That's Fairly Interesting was a New Zealand TV series showcasing quirky people and events.Its title is a reference to the TV show That's Incredible!....
, he set off to further his career abroad. Before joining The Amazing Race, he was considered, but not selected, as a host for Survivor. For his hosting of The Amazing Race, Keoghan was nominated for the 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program was an award created in 2008. On July 27, 2008, it was announced that this category's 5 nominees would all co-host the 2008 Primetime Emmy Awards telecast.-2000s:2008: Survivor - Jeff Probst...
in the second year of the award's creation but lost to Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst
Jeffrey Lee "Jeff" Probst is an American game show host, executive producer and a reporter. He is best known as the host of the U.S. version of the reality show Survivor.-Biography:...
of Survivor. In a 2002 interview, he admitted that his pay for a single episode of The Amazing Race is more than an entire year on Spot On.
According to his book, No Opportunity Wasted, Keoghan set out to live his life to the fullest by accomplishing exotic goals and taking risks after a near-death experience at the age of 19. Since then, he's broken a world bungee jumping
Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord. The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air-balloon or helicopter, that...
record, gone diving in the world's longest underwater cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s, eaten a meal on top of an erupting volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, and renewed his vows underwater. He was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, where he shared with Oprah
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
his list of things he wants to do before he dies.
From 28 March to 9 May 2009, Keoghan performed in "Ride Across America", in partnership with several organizations including GNC
General Nutrition Centers
General Nutrition Centers is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American commercial enterprise focused on the retail sale of health and nutrition related products, including vitamins, supplements, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, diet & energy products.-History:In 1935, David Shakarian opened a...
, to raise money for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
research. Keoghan and others biked 3,500 miles from Los Angeles to New York City, averaging 100 miles per day. Keoghan stopped in 39 cities en route, attending various events and participating in casting for season 15 of The Amazing Race; the ride culminated a day before the finale of season 14. The event raised $500,000, with over $400,000 coming from in-store donations during the ride. His documentary movie The Ride about his ride across America, premiered on 3 February 2011.
Shortly after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Keoghan traveled to his hometown to ensure his family was safe but also to record segments for The Early Show
The Early Show
The Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
to implore viewers to provide aid to the New Zealand Red Cross and to promote continued tourism, a fundamental part of New Zealand's economy, to the country.
At the same time, he participated in recording Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
's new safety video for its domestic jet fleet. Keoghan has hosted over 1,000 different programme episodes.
In June 2010, it was announced that Keoghan would host and produce a new reality series about the VELUX 5 Oceans Race
VELUX 5 Oceans Race
The VELUX 5 OCEANS Race is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed in stages, managed by Clipper Ventures Plc since 2000. Its current name comes from its main sponsor, VELUX, a Danish company. Originally known as the BOC Challenge, for the title sponsor BOC Gases, the first edition was...
. He told TMZ
TMZ
TMZ can refer to any of the following:*The Thames airport in New Zealand*Thirty Mile Zone, a zone in and around Hollywood, California that is considered to be "local" for purposes of entertainment industry union work rules...
in 2010 that during the 10th season of The Amazing Race he was detained in Ukraine for two days until the U.S. ambassador in Ukraine worked all night to free him.
Phil has also his own energy bar; NOW Energy Bar. It comes in two flavors; Peanut&Caramel and Honeycomb with Chia&Raisins.
Family
Keoghan lives with his wife, Louise (née Rodrigues; born 8 February 1963), and their daughter, Elle, in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. They also have two homes in New Zealand, in Matarangi
Matarangi
Matarangi is a small modern tourist town on the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand.The small town consists of 300 permanent residents and over 7000 holiday residents during the summer periods of late December to February....
(on the Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula lies in the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Waikato Region and Thames-Coromandel District and extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west...
) and in Westport
Westport, New Zealand
-Economy:Economic activity is based around fishing, coal mining and dairy farming. Historically, gold mining was a major industry, and coal mining was much more extensive than today . However, the region still is home to New Zealand's largest opencast mining operation in Stockton...
.
Dr. John Keoghan, Phil's father, is an agricultural scientist involved with conservation
Habitat conservation
Habitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore, habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range...
in New Zealand. He appeared alongside his son as a Pit Stop greeter during the 13th Season
The Amazing Race 13
The Amazing Race 13 is the 13th installment of the reality television competition series The Amazing Race. It featured 11 teams of two, each with a preexisting relationship, in a race around the world....
of The Amazing Race when the racers stopped in New Zealand. John Keoghan and his wife Beth run a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
in Rolleston
Rolleston, New Zealand
Rolleston is a town in the Selwyn District of Canterbury, New Zealand.It is located next to State Highway 1, 22 km south-west of Christchurch on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. The town uses the slogan "The Town of the Future"...
.
His brother, Andrew Keoghan
Andrew Keoghan
'Andrew Keoghan', is a New Zealand musician and songwriter.- Career :Andrew Keoghan was classically trained in singing. He also plays guitar and violin. His first album Arctic Tales Divide was released in New Zealand in 2011. Keoghan's music has been described as a mixture of pop and...
, was a television reporter on Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
's One News and is a successful jazz singer. His sister, Ruth Keoghan Cooper, is an MBA graduate of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
's Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
. She specialises in coaching, training and development programmes for professional women who wish to combine successful careers with motherhood.
Shows
- 3.45 Live (1990) – Presenter
- The Amazing RaceThe Amazing RaceThe Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...
(2001–present) – Host - Best of Both Worlds – Co-host
- Breakfast Time – Road Warrior
- The Early ShowThe Early ShowThe Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
– Travel Correspondent - FOX After Breakfast (1996) – Reporter
- That's Fairly InterestingThat's Fairly InterestingThat's Fairly Interesting was a New Zealand TV series showcasing quirky people and events.Its title is a reference to the TV show That's Incredible!....
– Reporter - Go For ItGo for It-Chart Position:-Personnel:*Jake Burns - vocals/guitar/piano*Jim Reilly - drums*Henry Cluney - guitar*Ali McMordie - bass guitar*Stewart van Blandamer - alto saxophone*Tony Hughes - trumpet*Steve "Fixit" Farr - baritone saxophone...
– Host - The Human EdgeThe Human EdgeThe Human Edge is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 2003 and was edited by Hank Davis...
(2002) – Co-creator - Phil Keoghan's Adventure Crazy – Co-creator
- Adventure Quest – Host
- Keoghan's Heroes – Co-creator
- Miss World 2003Miss World 2003Miss World 2003, the 53rd Miss World pageant was held at Crown of Beauty Theatre, Sanya, People's Republic of China on 6 December 2003. The pageant was presented by Phil Keoghan, Amanda Byram and Angela Chow. The contestants also visited Beijing, the national capital of People's Republic of China,...
(2003) – Host - No Opportunity WastedNo Opportunity WastedNo Opportunity Wasted is a television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel on October 3, 2004. It was created by Phil Keoghan, better known as the host of the reality show on CBS entitled The Amazing Race....
(2004) – Host - Spot On – Host
- Surprise, Surprise – Host
- Whose House is it Anyway? (2000) – Host
- Speed Test Drive (2006) – Cameo appearance as a student of the Jim Russell Racing School
- Everest: After the Climb (2007) – Host
- CBS News Sunday MorningCBS News Sunday MorningCBS News Sunday Morning is an American television news magazine program created by Robert Northshield and original host Charles Kuralt. The program has aired continuously since January 28, 1979 on the CBS Television Network, airing in the Eastern US on Sunday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m...
(2008) – Contributor - Star Trek: Phase II (2008) – Cameo as Admiral Keoghan in "Blood & Fire" Part One.
- Million Dollar PasswordMillion Dollar PasswordMillion Dollar Password is an updated version of the game show Password on CBS, which was hosted by Regis Philbin and ran from June 1, 2008 to June 14, 2009. Based upon a format created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman, FremantleMedia produced the program.-Production and broadcast history:Million...
(2008) – Guest appearance/Himself
External links
- Upfront: Phil Keoghan. New Zealander Listener, 22 October 2005
- Profile on Phil Keoghan, Te Kete Ipurangi
- No Opportunity Wasted
- Phil Keoghan on The Hour
- Phil Rides Across America
- http://www.nowcyclingteam.com/ - NOW and Novartis for MS
- http://noopportunitywastedenergybar.com/index.html NOW Energy Bar page