Jenny Jones (presenter)

Jenny Jones (presenter)
Janina Maria Stronski (born June 7, 1946), known professionally as Jenny Jones, is a Canadian-American comedian, television presenter, and chef. She is known for the tabloid talk show The Jenny Jones Show, which ran for twelve seasons from 1991 to 2003.
Early life
Jones was born Janina Stronski in Bethlehem, then in the British Mandate of Palestine. She gave her place of birth on her appearance on "Match Game" in 1981. She moved with her family to Italy, and from there they moved to Canada in 1948. Her parents were Polish immigrants, Zosia "Sophie", a seamstress and dressmaker, and John Stroński, a Polish army officer who was with the British Armed Forces at the time of Jones' birth. Jones grew up in London, Ontario, in a strict Catholic household. Her parents ran a bridal shop in Canada.
Career
1981–1990: Stand-up comedy and Star Search
Jones started her career as a drummer in a rock band, and later attempted a career in stand-up comedy during the 1980s. She experienced some success with comedy, winning the 1986 season of the TV talent show Star Search. Prior to that, her first television appearances were as a contestant on The Price Is Right in 1979 (winning $12,955 in cash & prizes, including a sports car and $6,000 cash), Match Game in 1981 (as Jenny Wilburn, winning $5,500), and Press Your Luck in 1985 (as Jennie Jones, winning $18,706 over 3 days).
Inspired by comedy television shows, Jones decided to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. By 1983, Jones had worked her way up to serving as an opening act for Jerry Seinfeld. She embarked on a comedy show titled Girl's Night Out. Billed as a "No Men Allowed" event, Jones sold out 10 consecutive shows and had her routine featured on 20/20.
1991–2003: The Jenny Jones Show
The Jenny Jones Show was conceived as an alternative to the "harder-edged" tabloid talk shows that aired at the time. The show premiered in September 1991 on 178 television stations nationwide, which was the biggest launch in syndicated talk show history. It was produced by Telepictures and was distributed by Warner Bros. Television. The show ran from September 1991 to September 2003 and was taped in Chicago at WMAQ-TV studios.
On March 6, 1995, the show taped an episode titled "Revealing Same Sex Secret Crush", in which six guests were invited to meet a secret admirer of the same sex. Three days after the episode's taping, one of the guests killed his secret admirer. Jones was required to testify in the ensuing criminal trial. In August 1995, the victim's family filed a lawsuit against The Jenny Jones Show for negligence, in which they sought $75.1 million in damages. The jury initially found in favor of the victim's family for $25 million, however, this judgment was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals. The court found that the murder was "unforeseeable" and that the show "had no duty to anticipate and prevent the act of murder committed by [the killer] three days after leaving [the] studio and hundreds of miles away".
In 1997, Jones released a memoir, Jenny Jones: My Story; it was co-authored with Patsi Bale Cox.
In 2003, The Jenny Jones Show broadcast its twelfth and final season.
2004–present: Jenny Can Cook and philanthropy
Jones established The Jenny Jones Foundation in 2005 as a means to provide assistance to those in need. Primary areas of focus are education, women's health, and improving communities throughout the country. In 2008, Jenny established "Jenny's Heroes," a program where, through The Jenny Jones Foundation, she is giving two million dollars of her own money to individuals wanting to make a difference in their local communities.
On April 10, 2006, Jones released her first cookbook, Look Good, Feel Great. All of the book's proceeds were donated to City of Hope Breast Cancer Research Treatment and Education. Jones also maintains a personal website, in which she shares her own recipes. Speaking on this endeavor, Jones commented: "My goal is to motivate more people to cook at home and make healthy eating a priority."
Personal life
Jones maintains an official website, JennyJones.com; a cooking website, JennyCanCook.com; and a YouTube cooking channel. Another website, JennysHeroes.com, which she launched in 2008, features stories from anonymous people who positively impacted their communities. Since the website was launched, Jones has given over $1 million to fifty such people who are looked upon as "heroes". The site is based upon a segment of the Jenny Jones talk show that once featured such people.
Jones has been married three times. She married Al Gambino, a musician, in 1970; they divorced in 1972. Jones married Buz Wilburn, a record marketing executive, in 1973; they divorced in 1980. An earlier marriage was annulled. She is in a long-term relationship with Denis McCallion, a film-location manager.
Women's health advocate
Jones was an honorary chairperson for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Chicago Race for the Cure, an annual event that raises awareness and money for breast cancer research. Jones also donated a mobile mammography motor coach to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Six silicone-implant operations since 1981 had left her with firm and asymmetrical breasts. Jones later had her breast implants removed, and publicly spoke out against them in a cover story article in People Magazine. Jones then went on to establish The Image Foundation as a resource for women seeking information about implants and support with body image issues.
Bibliography
Jenny Jones: My Story (1997)
Look Good, Feel Great (2006)
References
External links
Jenny Jones Website
Jenny Jones Cooking Website
Jenny Jones YouTube Cooking Channel
Jenny Jones Foundation Website
Jenny Jones' Facebook page
1946 births
Canadian emigrants to the United States
American television talk show hosts
Canadian television talk show hosts
Contestants on American game shows
Living people
Comedians from Ontario
Canadian women comedians
British emigrants to Canada
Canadian people of Polish descent
People from Bethlehem
People from London, Ontario
American YouTubers
Food and cooking YouTubers