Jane Kennedy in Lets Do It Again

I'grand Rachelle, a.1000.a "TheMotleyChick," a lover of eclectic merely ordinary people, situations & topics and I honey sharing helpful resources.

Jayne Kennedy

Jayne Kennedy get-go came onto the Hollywood scene every bit a dancer for Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, alongside Goldie Hawn.

Subsequently, she was lucky enough to be one of the hardest-working Blackness actresses in film and television set during the 1970s, in spite of Hollywood'southward racist casting procedures.

She was married to black histrion and quondam D.J., Leon Issac Kennedy, and the pair was ane of the first black Hollywood power couples.

Infamously, the couple was likewise one of the showtime to autumn prey to the leaked sexual practice tape syndrome.

Throughout her career in the limelight, Jayne Kennedy striking many "firsts" for Black women and women everywhere, and she is one of the most beloved celebrities.

The Beauty Queen

In 1970, Jayne Kennedy fabricated local history when she became the first African American woman to exist crowned Miss Ohio.

Soon subsequently, Jayne broke new basis once again when she became one of only a handful of Blackness women who made it to the semi-finalist round of the annual Miss America pageant.

Jayne Kennedy as a Ding a Ling daughter on Martin & Rowan'south "Laugh In"

"Body & Soul" was a movie she made with her first husband, Leon Isaac Kennedy

The Sportscaster

Continuing the tradition of being a groundbreaking woman, in 1978, Jayne Kennedy became 1 of the first women to enter the sportscasting arena.

She joined the bandage of NFL Today as a studio annotator during the years when the Pittsburg Steelers (Super Basin XIII & XIV), the Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl 15), and the San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XVI) were kings of the game.

The Model

Jayne Kennedy was also a model. Her paradigm regularly graced the front pages of Ebony Magazine and Jet Mag during the 1980s.

In 1981, she fabricated history yet again when she became the offset African American actress to make the front comprehend of Playboy Magazine. Copies of the mag immediately sold out equally soon equally the outcome hitting the stands.

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Her then-husband, Leon Kennedy, made the deal with Hugh Hefner's famous rag, and although her prototype was featured prominently on the front end of the magazine, at that place were admittedly no nude photos of Jayne.

The Philanthropist

The Children's Phenomenon Network is a non-turn a profit organization that raises money and awareness for children's medical problems.

It was founded by the Osmond Family and John Schneider, and since its inception in 1982, information technology has raised more than $iv billion dollars for nearly 200 children'due south hospitals.

Through the years, Jayne Kennedy has been an agile advocate for the Children's Phenomenon Network. When she retired from tv set, she became an even more active advocate for the nonprofit organisation.

Retirement From the Limelight

Jayne Kennedy was diagnosed with endometriosis during the late 1980s. She and Leon Issac Kennedy eventually divorced, and she went on to marry character actor Beak Overton.

She and Overton are withal married, they accept 3 children, and they generally stay away from the limelight.

Her latest appearance to date is a 2011 episode of the TV I series Way Blackness When. During that episode, she saturday down and discussed her groundbreaking career with comedian Sinbad.

Jayne Kennedy Overton has become a credit to Blackness History, Women's History, and an all-around living legend. Those of u.s. who were around during her heyday volition always remember her fondly.

Jayne Kennedy Overton, Neb Overton, and their Beautiful Family unit Today

Rachelle Williams (author) from Tempe, AZ on Feb 01, 2021:

Indeed, Jayne and Leon were ahead of their time - thank you for your support!

SYLVIA SPENCER on February 29, 2020:

Jane Is, And Will E'er BE AN INSRIRATION To Non Only Women Of Colour, But To All Women. May The Lord Bless You lot, BEAUTIFUL LADY.

Lonnie Legree Haynes on November 10, 2019:

To: Mrs. Jayne Kennedy. From an old common friend. Mr. Lonnie Legree Haynes, Major Investor, (quondam) Chair'man & Chief Executive Of'ficer, of Smith Barney & Company. Mr. Lonnie Legree Haynes, Major Investor, (hereafter) Chair'man & Advisor, of Smith Barney Trust Services. Thank you Sincere'ly, for your time & Consideration. (Mr. Fifty L H)

JungleJimHP on July 05, 2019:

I did not know about her messing with a married Overton... Peradventure this is what led Leon to allegedly release an intimate video featuring him and her? It's all falling into identify correct now, if that was indeed what went downward - a scorned Hubby, etc. Her career seemed to take a nosedive around that period, at a time when sexual activity tapes or posing nude was still a scandal for a celebrity. By the fourth dimension of the Vanessa Williams and Madonna nude "scandals", such events pretty much rolled off celebrity backs with Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and any number of female celebrities actually edifice careers on nudity and sex tapes. Jayne and Leon were just a bit alee of their time... I've since heard that they've fabricated upwards and become along OK at present. Can't hold a grudge forever. Plus, they both were young and looked great in the video! LOL

Jim on July 05, 2019:

I did not know about her messing with a married Overton... Perhaps this is what led Leon to allegedly release an intimate video featuring him and her? It's all falling into place correct now, if that was indeed what went downwards - a scorned Hubby, etc. Her career seemed to take a nosedive around that period, at a time when sex tapes or posing nude was nevertheless a scandal for a celebrity. By the time of the Vanessa Williams and Madonna nude "scandals", such events pretty much rolled off celebrity backs with Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and any number of female celebrities actually building careers on nudity and sex tapes. Jayne and Leon were just a bit ahead of their time... I've since heard that they've made up and get along OK at present. Can't hold a grudge forever. Plus, they both were young and looked keen in the video! LOL

Rachelle Williams (author) from Tempe, AZ on Baronial 27, 2018:

Very Well Said, Don!

Don Huffman on August 26, 2018:

She was a fine actress and very nice looking. She did well on the NFL today, alot of first'south as a blackness actress. I'm white and had a big shell on her. I alway'southward watched anything she did in the movies & on Tv set. I remember she played a cop on a Police story episode with David Janssen, she was wonderful. She is a credit to her race. The homo race.

John potato on Dec 06, 2017:

As a young crewman not only did I have an opportunity to come across miss Kennedy back stage at the 1971 Bob Hope Christmas testify I danced two slow songs with hither. I never forgot those few moments.

Rachelle Williams (author) from Tempe, AZ on November 21, 2017:

I agree, Mike! Absolutely, positively zip "average" most this woman's beauty...

Mike Lowery on October 28, 2017:

I agree with you on most thing'due south Doris, just have to disagree with you on her being a fiddling overweight & having boilerplate beauty, back in her heyday. She was one fine cute blackness woman, during those day'south. Only saying...

C. Frazier on September 19, 2017:

Never ever use Slomin"southward Shield. You volition be very sorry Consummate rip off. Equipment is cheap

Doris on September 18, 2017:

I thought that fifty-fifty dorsum in the early years of her supposedly success as a dazzler queen she was a piffling overweight . Her dazzler was average but to me her success was as the commencement female football annotator . There's no way that I would accept given upwards that position for everyone merely she was not a good actress and Leon didn't help By placing her in those underrated movies . Overton was her demise. He totally wiped her out . Never seen anyone accept a celebrity down as fast ad he did . Some men are but bad for a woman that'south trying to have a successful career because of their jealousy. Unlike Vanessa Williams who was a complete success and has has killed information technology when it had come to her career Vanessa didn't allow any man to stop her success . She was whom I admired and she was as beautiful or more beautiful than Jayne Kennedy . To me Jayne was overrated then and put in a category where she didn't vest to begin with . She didn't have what it took to be a total success and she aged horribly . She now is just a housewife and gas been for many years . Leon Kennedy started with the takedown and Overton totally took her down . Sorry that happened . It should have totally gone in another direction .

Wayne Henderson on August 07, 2017:

Jayne is still a beautiful woman. She fabricated many ground breaking history of blackness women. I am still one of her biggest fans.

My name is Mary on June 17, 2017:

Every since I can remember even until this 24-hour interval people would say you look like Jane Kennedy. I recollect this is why I think almost her once once again simply several weeks ago a homo

reminded me once more you lot look similar Jane K. to exist honest I do resemble her she has a cute family unit.

Gerald on March 27, 2017:

I saw the record when it 1st came out. Raunchy every bit hell. Rumor has it Leon released information technology in Las Vegas considering he had no career. Didn't think well-nigh losing his repast ticket.

Leslie on September 18, 2016:

It would have been nice if she had kept herself upwards only .her weight skyrocketed and she doesn't look like herself at all as some of the others like Pam Grier and the other blackness beauties dorsum in the seventies . With all of the enhancements nowadays along with diet and exercise that should not take happened . Her husband seem to nevertheless take kept his identity simply maybe raising a family took her away from all of that .

Cute every bit Jayne on July 27, 2016:

If God wanted Jayne Kennedy to stay with Leon he would have blessed their marriage with children. Mr. Jim Wesley you should find a hobby. It is axiomatic that Jane was not in a good for you union. It appears that LK took advantage of the Beautiful Women who was his wife! How awful!!!

God blessed Jane Overton with a cute family afterwards the gloom!!! She will e'er shine brilliant!!

Diane on July x, 2016:

Wondered what happen just saw u and the james character of THE Skilful on the love gunkhole be blessed beautiful lady.

Joe on March 23, 2016:

You are legedary and missed.

Elle on March 10, 2016:

That has got to exist Leon! Sounds just like him!... Smh! God Bless Yous Jane! You still are Gorgeous and your girls are, as well❤️

Jenna on February 27, 2016:

Jim Wesley sounds like a deranged lunatic....she must've turned him down sometime in his life & he can't accept it... Hey....y'all know what? I bet that's Leon Kennedy in disguise !!!

Tim from Los Angeles, CA on November 24, 2015:

She was a very underrated and underused actress.

Lisa Chiliad on September 29, 2015:

Jim Wesley is mentally disturbed. For over the course ofa year he has copied and pasted his comment to every article on Jayne Kennedy. Yous audio as if you lot were the wronged party and curse. Please go some assist.

Pam on August 16, 2015:

Jane Kennedy was and is an first-class part model. You are notwithstanding a beautiful woman who ages gracefully. As you can see nosotros all love y'all and miss y'all. The important thing is that yous are loved, you lot are happy and enjoying your life as yourself. God bless!

debbie on June 08, 2015:

U were & always will be my function model. I grew upwardly watching u come to life. Stay STRONG Jayne, cause u are & always volition be the virtually BEAUTIFUL Back WOMEN IN THE Globe. Thank you!

Patsy on April 23, 2015:

You lot are a cute woman always wondered what happened to you.

Lisa on March 20, 2014:

OK. Constitute out that Jayne as well apparently also raised her step-daughter, Cheyenne.

Lisa on March twenty, 2014:

Forgot to say that I miss Jayne Kennedy. I hate that she disappeared subsequently she remarried. However, I hope she (likewise as her family) is happy and well.

Lisa on March 20, 2014:

That is not Nib Overton in that family picture show. Also, they have three daughters, and so one of those girls is non Jayne's. Not sure who she is.

Patricia Wade on January 29, 2014:

I always admired Jane, she had a softness about her. A beautiful spirit and carried herself in a beautiful manner e'er. A lot of people said Jane and I could pass for sisters considering I favored her so much. Love Jane and ever volition

gina on January xviii, 2014:

Wow!!!!!!! Just speechless.

Jim Wesley on Dec 13, 2013:

Jayne Kennedy's demise from show business resulted considering she sacrificed her marriage, reputation and entire career for a married Neb Overton. When Jayne Kennedy divorced Leon Kennedy the touch on her career and personal life was as if someone had placed a curse upon her unabridged life. When interviewed in Jet and Ebony magazines about her new matrimony to Pecker Overton, she emphasized a blissful wedlock, sugar and spice everything overnice. This was a total exaggeration, because the facts don't support information technology. In the first six years of her new marriage, her weigh increased from 147lbs to over 200lbs, each yr of her blissful spousal relationship she ate herself out of the previous year'due south clothing, you couldn't get two artillery around her. In a blissful marriage you alive for the admiration, affection and love of your spouse. Bill Overton observing his spouse who was ane of the nearly beautiful women in the world year by year slowing descend is disturbing. She destroyed her union, career and reputation for him. Typically a person that's severely brokenhearted and depressed about their life volition demonstrate very low esteem. The harsh reality that she paid to much for what she got became inevitable year past year. She predictable her career was over, why continue herself upwardly, no request for movies or Television set roles, she didn't care what people idea about her anymore. Some blame was put on her medical condition endometriosis, she had the same medical condition during her 10 twelvemonth marriage to Leon Kennedy and she flourished throughout the unabridged 10 years every bit ane of the well-nigh elegant women in the world. Many married couples with a spouse that has endometriosis, make up one's mind the number of children they want early in at that place spousal relationship, take the all the children in consecutive years, then the functioning and motility on with there lives. Having her three children over a fifteen years menses is confusing. Afterward each pregnancies ends the endometriosis returned causing limitations in her ability to personally care for her baby, nauseating hurting and limited sexual relations. Afterward her divorce from Leon Kennedy ' the get it done guy' it was her responsibility to guide her career. She was very inexperience in business organization, many times she was considered for motility picture and Television set roles but none materialized, she couldn't secure any offers. Now she realized what she had lost in Leon Kennedy, Bill Overton was a male person model/playboy. She learned the harsh reality of show business negotiations that were hidden from her view when Leon Kennedy was her concern manager, that bedroom politics sometimes determine the deciding edge, you must be willing to compromised your morals, she had lost the respect of many fans and executive Moguls.

I'thou very sadden by what she experience with all the potential she possessed, watching it just waste away. I'grand a fan that celebrated the well-nigh beautiful woman in the globe, her smiling illuminated a total moon, her awesome graciousness was an inspiration to many women who inspired to be beautiful. Her accomplishments can't be diminished regardless of the events in her personal life.

Human being of Force from Orlando, Fl on May 12, 2013:

My father was a large fan of Jayne Kennedy. To this mean solar day he says she was the most beautiful Black actress ever.

Paul Edmondson from Burlingame, CA on Apr 21, 2013:

Interesting and nicely done Hub. Is she one of the first women to be an analyst for NFL football game?

James Johnson on December 25, 2012:

Jayne kennedy was then flawless. I enjoyed watching her. Drea Avent is this generations version of Jayne Kennedy...she is gorgeous and knows her sports.

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Source: https://reelrundown.com/celebrities/Whatever-Happened-to-Jayne-Kennedy

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