Phyllis George
Encyclopedia
Phyllis Ann George Brown (born 25 June 1949) is an American
businesswoman, actress and a former sportscaster
. She is a former Miss Texas
and Miss America
of 1971.
. She attended the University of North Texas
for three years until crowned Miss Texas in 1971. At that time, Texas Christian University
awarded scholarships to Miss Texas honorees. As a result, Phyllis left UNT and enrolled at TCU for several weeks until winning the Miss America crown later that fall. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha
sorority. George won the 1971 Miss America pageant.
In her year-long stint as Miss America, George appeared on numerous talk shows, including three interviews on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
.
producer
s approached George to become a sportscaster
in 1974. The following year, she joined the cast of The NFL Today
, co-hosting live pregame shows before National Football League
(NFL) games. She was one of the first females to have a nationally prominent role in television sports coverage.
Another duty George had with CBS Sports was working on horse racing
events, including the Preakness Stakes
and the Belmont Stakes
. Additionally, George had a brief stint on a television news version of People
in 1978 and a job as a morning television talk show host as co-anchor of the CBS Morning News
in 1985. Since that time, she has sporadically returned to the media spotlight, hosting her own prime-time talk show, 1994’s A Phyllis George Special, on which she interviewed then-President Bill Clinton
, and a 1998 talk show called Women's Day
on the cable network Pax.
.
Foods, which agreed to operate it as a separate division. In 1991 George received the "Celebrity Women Business Owner of the Year" from the National Association of Women Business Owners.
In 2003 George created Phyllis George Beauty which markets a line of cosmetics and skincare through television shopping network HSN.
She has also written or co-authored five books—three about crafts, one on dieting (her first book, The I Love America Diet-1982) and her most recent, Never Say Never (2002).
, John Y. Brown, Jr.
, with whom she had two children, including television reporter, Pamela Ashley Brown
, and served as Kentucky's First Lady
. George was the founder of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
, and is an avid folk and traditional arts
collector.
George resurfaced in 2000 when she played a minor character in the hit movie, Meet the Parents
. It was one of her very few film roles.
On January 28, 2007, reporter Howard Fineman
said on The Chris Matthews Show
that George had moved back to Kentucky
and was considering entering politics with either a run for governor in 2007 or a Senate race against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
in 2008. She is a founding board member of the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship.
On October 3, 2009, Verne Lundquist
of CBS Sports
said during the broadcast of the LSU
at Georgia
football game that George had moved to Athens, Georgia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businesswoman, actress and a former sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
. She is a former Miss Texas
Miss Texas
The Miss Texas competition was founded in 1936 as a scholarship contest for young women. The winner represents Texas in the Miss America pageant; three winners have gone on to be crowned Miss America ....
and Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
of 1971.
Early life
George was born to Diantha Cogdell and James George in Denton, TexasDenton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
. She attended the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
for three years until crowned Miss Texas in 1971. At that time, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
awarded scholarships to Miss Texas honorees. As a result, Phyllis left UNT and enrolled at TCU for several weeks until winning the Miss America crown later that fall. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha is a women's fraternity, founded October 15, 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia. The Executive office is located in Indianapolis, Indiana...
sorority. George won the 1971 Miss America pageant.
In her year-long stint as Miss America, George appeared on numerous talk shows, including three interviews on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night....
.
CBS Sports
CBS SportsCBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
s approached George to become a sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
in 1974. The following year, she joined the cast of The NFL Today
The NFL Today
The NFL Today is an American sports series that precedes the American football program The NFL on CBS on CBS Sports. The program usually airs at noon on Sundays of the National Football League regular season...
, co-hosting live pregame shows before National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) games. She was one of the first females to have a nationally prominent role in television sports coverage.
Another duty George had with CBS Sports was working on horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
events, including the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
and the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. Additionally, George had a brief stint on a television news version of People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
in 1978 and a job as a morning television talk show host as co-anchor of the CBS Morning News
CBS Morning News
For CBS's main morning news program, formerly known as CBS Morning News, see The Early Show.CBS Morning News is the half-hour daily television broadcast from CBS News that airs following Up to the Minute and features late-breaking news stories, weather forecasts, and sports scores...
in 1985. Since that time, she has sporadically returned to the media spotlight, hosting her own prime-time talk show, 1994’s A Phyllis George Special, on which she interviewed then-President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, and a 1998 talk show called Women's Day
Women's Day
Women's Day may refer to:* International Women's Day on March 8* Women's Day in Mozambique on April 7* Women's Day in Gabon on April 17* Women's Day in Iraq on Jumada al-Thani 20* Women's Day in Myanmar on July 3...
on the cable network Pax.
CBS Morning News
In 1985, CBS settled on Phyllis George to serve as a permanent anchor for their morning news program. George was given a three-year contract following a two-week trial run. As co-anchor, she interviewed newsmakers including then–First Lady Nancy ReaganNancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
.
Business interests
George has founded two companies in her business career, the first of which was "By George" chicken fillets. In 1988 after operating for only two years, George sold the company to consumer giant, HormelHormel
Hormel Foods Corporation is a food company based in southeastern Minnesota , perhaps best known as the producer of Spam luncheon meat. The company was founded as George A. Hormel & Company in Austin, Minnesota, U.S., by George A. Hormel in 1891. The company changed its name to Hormel Foods...
Foods, which agreed to operate it as a separate division. In 1991 George received the "Celebrity Women Business Owner of the Year" from the National Association of Women Business Owners.
In 2003 George created Phyllis George Beauty which markets a line of cosmetics and skincare through television shopping network HSN.
She has also written or co-authored five books—three about crafts, one on dieting (her first book, The I Love America Diet-1982) and her most recent, Never Say Never (2002).
Personal life
George was previously married to Robert Evans, and to former Kentucky GovernorGovernor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
, John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
, with whom she had two children, including television reporter, Pamela Ashley Brown
Pamela Ashley Brown
For other persons named Pamela Brown, see Pamela Brown .Pamela Ashley Brown , is an American television reporter and newscaster. Brown works as a on-air reporter and occasional anchor for ABC Washington, D.C., affiliate WJLA-TV...
, and served as Kentucky's First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
. George was the founder of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, located in Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to continue the art and craft heritage of Kentucky through the support and education of craft artists and education of the public...
, and is an avid folk and traditional arts
Folk art
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic....
collector.
George resurfaced in 2000 when she played a minor character in the hit movie, Meet the Parents
Meet the Parents
Meet the Parents is a 2000 American comedy film written by Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg and directed by Jay Roach. Starring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, the film chronicles a series of unfortunate events that befall a good-hearted but hapless male nurse while visiting his girlfriend's parents...
. It was one of her very few film roles.
On January 28, 2007, reporter Howard Fineman
Howard Fineman
Howard Fineman is an American journalist who is senior politics editor at the Huffington Post. Prior to his move to Huffington Post in October 2010, he was Newsweek’s Chief Political Correspondent, Senior Editor and Deputy Washington Bureau Chief. An award-winning writer, Fineman also is an NBC...
said on The Chris Matthews Show
The Chris Matthews Show
The Chris Matthews Show is a half-hour weekend news and political roundtable program produced by NBC News. It is taped in Washington, D.C., and nationally syndicated by NBC Universal Television Distribution...
that George had moved back to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and was considering entering politics with either a run for governor in 2007 or a Senate race against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Mitch McConnell
Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Kentucky and the Republican Minority Leader.- Early life, education, and military service :...
in 2008. She is a founding board member of the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship.
On October 3, 2009, Verne Lundquist
Verne Lundquist
Merton Laverne "Verne" Lundquist, Jr. is an American sportscaster, currently employed by CBS Sports television.-Early life and career:Lundquist was born in Duluth, Minnesota...
of CBS Sports
SEC on CBS
The SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
said during the broadcast of the LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
at Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
football game that George had moved to Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
.
External links
- Profile of Phyllis George on the Miss America website (accessed 7 March 2008)
- One to One with Bill Goodman: Phyllis George - interview with Phyllis George on Kentucky Educational Television network, June 8, 2008.