Who are Jayne Kennedy Parents? Meet Herbert Harrison and Virginia Harrison

Who are Jayne Kennedy's Parents? Check this article to know who are Jayne Kennedy's Parents along with Jayne Kennedy biography. Jayne Kennedy is a American TV personality and actress.

by Ramya R

Updated Feb 12, 2024

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Who are Jayne Kennedy Parents? Meet Herbert Harrison and Virginia Harrison

Who are Jayne Kennedy's Parents?

So who are Jayne Kennedy's Parents? According to our research, Jayne Kennedy's Parents are  Virginia Harrison and   Herbert Harrison . Jayne Kennedy is an American TV personality and actress, born on 27 October 1951.

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Real Name

Jayne Kennedy Overton 

Date of birth

  27 October 1951 

Age

72 years old

Height

178 cm, 5 feet 10 inches

Weight

63 kg (139 lbs)

Birth Place

Washington, D.C., United States

Gender

Female

Profession

American TV personality and actress

Nationality

American

Parents

Virginia Harrison

  Herbert Harrison

Who is Jayne Kennedy?

Jayne Kennedy Overton, born Jayne Harrison on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C., is a versatile American figure known for her multifaceted career. At the age of 72, she has left an indelible mark as a television personality, actress, model, corporate spokeswoman, producer, writer, public speaker, philanthropist, and sports broadcaster. 

Adopting the name Jayne Overton, she has become a notable figure in various realms, showcasing her talents across the entertainment, sports, and business industries. Kennedy Overton's diverse contributions underscore her dynamic presence in American media and her dedication to multiple facets of her professional life.

Jayne Kennedy Career

  • In 1970, Jayne Kennedy achieved the title of Miss Ohio, leading her to a top-ten placement in the subsequent Miss USA Pageant.
  • The following year, she made her debut as a dancer on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" and joined Bob Hope's Bases Around the World Christmas Tour, later securing a singer/dancer role on "The Dean Martin Show" for three years.
  • Throughout the 1970s, Kennedy appeared in guest roles on TV shows like The Six Million Dollar Man, Sanford and Son, and Starsky & Hutch. She also starred in commercials for Foster Grant, Chrysler Corporation, and McDonald's. 
  • Additionally, she played a lead role in the 1977 film Big Time, featuring a soundtrack by Smokey Robinson.
  • In 1978, Jayne Kennedy took over from Phyllis George as an anchor on The NFL Today on CBS. Following a contractual dispute, she hosted the short-lived "Speak Up, America" in 1980.
  • Her performance as Julie Winters in the 1981 film Body and Soul earned Kennedy the 1982 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.
  • Kennedy received an Emmy Award for hosting the 1982 Rose Bowl.
  • In 1982, she began hosting the syndicated show "Greatest Sports Legends," interviewing sports luminaries like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Johnny Unitas.
  • During the mid-1980s, Kennedy appeared in TV commercials for Tab soft drink by The Coca-Cola Company and Jovan Musk perfume.
  • Joining the exercise-video trend, Kennedy released "Love Your Body" in the mid-1980s, advocating positive self-belief and self-love.
  • In 1990, Kennedy and Bill Overton produced "The Journey of the African American," featuring performances in Atlanta and a 30-week run in Los Angeles.
  • Kennedy actively supported charitable causes, co-hosting "The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars" in 1986, contributing to The United Negro College Fund, and becoming the national spokesperson for The National Council of Negro Women in 1988. 
  • She participated in events such as the Evanston Martin Luther King celebration in 1987 and spoke at the 12th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1990.

Jayne Kennedy Early Life

  • Jayne Kennedy, originally born as Jayne Harrison, entered the world in Wickliffe, Ohio, as one of six children.
  • Her parents, Herbert and Virginia Harrison, instilled values of aiming high, attributing credit to God, handling disappointments with grace, and avoiding malicious behavior in their children.
  • During high school, Jayne Kennedy was a dynamic individual, contributing as a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society, vice-president of the sophomore class, and president of the junior class.
  • A year after graduating high school, she crossed paths with Leon Isaac Kennedy, a DJ and aspiring writer/actor, whom she married in 1971. Notably, Motown singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson served as the best man at their wedding. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 1982.
  • Subsequently, in May 1985, Jayne Kennedy tied the knot with actor Bill Overton in Bermuda, in an intimate ceremony attended by both sets of parents.
  • Together, Jayne Kennedy and Bill Overton have four children: Overton's daughter Cheyenne (born in 1982) and their three daughters Savannah Re (born on November 20, 1985), Kopper Joi (born on May 17, 1989), and Zaire Ollyea (born on September 15, 1995).
  • Celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in May 2020, Jayne Kennedy and Bill Overton have built a life together grounded in family and enduring commitment.

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Jayne Kennedy Parents - FAQ

1. Who are Jayne Kennedy's Parents?

According to online sources, Jayne Kennedy's Parents are Herbert Harrison and Virginia Harrison.

2. Who is Jayne Kennedy?

Jayne Kennedy is an American TV personality and actress.

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