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.

Jenny Jones
Born
Janina Maria Stronski

(1946-06-07) June 7, 1946
Bethlehem, British Mandate of Palestine
Occupation(s)Talk show host, presenter, comedian, singer, drummer
Years active1969–present
Spouses
Jack Howard Poster
​
​
(m. 1969; ann. 1970)​
    Al Gambino
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1970; div. 1972)​
      Buz Wilburn
      ​
      ​
      (m. 1973; div. 1980)​
      PartnerDenis McCallion

      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.[1] 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.[2] Jones grew up in London, Ontario, in a strict Catholic household. Her parents ran a bridal shop in Canada.[3]

      Career

      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.[4] 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.[1] 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.[5]

      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.[6] The show premiered in September 1991 on 178 television stations nationwide, which was the biggest launch in syndicated talk show history.[6] 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.[7] Jones was required to testify in the ensuing criminal trial.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10][11] 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".[12]

      In 1997, Jones released a memoir, Jenny Jones: My Story; it was co-authored with Patsi Bale Cox.[1]

      In 2003, The Jenny Jones Show broadcast its twelfth and final season.[13]

      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.[14] All of the book's proceeds were donated to City of Hope Breast Cancer Research Treatment and Education.[14] 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."[15]

      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.[16] 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
      1. Lipton, Michael (November 10, 1997). "True Confession". People. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
      2. Glink, Ilyce (September 15, 1991). "Daze Of Talk". Chicago Tribune.
      3. Breu, Giovanna (March 2, 1992). "Body of Evidence". People. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
      4. Schuster, Fred (2003-01-28). "Just Being On Star Search Could Be a Midas Touch". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
      5. Bates, Betsy (February 28, 1990). "Comic Finds Her Niche Where the Boys Aren't". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
      6. Abramowitz, Michael (October 22, 1991). "The Mild-Mannered Talk Show". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
      7. Peyser, Marc (March 19, 1995). "Making A Killing On Talk Tv". Newsweek. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
      8. Weeks, Linton (November 1, 1996). "Jenny, on the Spot". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
      9. Farhi, Paul (March 8, 1999). "'Jenny Jones' Show Found Negligent in Murder Case". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
      10. "Jury awards $25 million in 'Jenny Jones Show' lawsuit". CNN. May 7, 1999. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
      11. Shprintz, Janet (October 23, 2002). "Appeals court overturns 'Jenny' suit". Variety. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
      12. James, Meg (October 24, 2002). "'Jenny Jones' Not Liable for Guest's Death". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
      13. Gorman, Steve (February 5, 2003). "'Jenny Jones' Talk Show Expected to Be Canceled". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
      14. Dakss, Brian (May 5, 2006). "Jenny Jones Back, As Cookbook Author". CBS News. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
      15. Messer, Lesley (February 20, 2014). "Ricki Lake, Jenny Jones and More: Where Are They Now?". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
      16. "Bio & Talk Show | Biography". Jenny Jones. 1991-09-16. Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
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