The actress and sportscaster who became an icon in the ’70s recently made an appearance on TV One’s “Way Black When,” a high-energy talk and variety show that showcases black pop culture icons and trends, from black power to hip-hop.
“During my segment, I shared what it was like in the 70s, the difficulties getting work, experiencing being a pioneer, not only in acting but also in sports broadcasting, commercials, song and dance and the ‘Dean Martin Show,’ ” she says.
Truly one of this writer’s heroines, Kennedy is an icon. She was making strides and breaking glass ceilings when Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry was a teenager. Following in Kennedy’s footsteps, Berry won the Miss Ohio title in 1986.
Kennedy put down the microphone and walked away from her career to be a full-time mom. “It’s the biggest blessing of my life. I’ve just fallen in love with it. I have found my purpose,” she shares. She has three daughters, two of whom are adults, and a 15-year-old at home.
“I was doing a lot of work and traveling everywhere that you could imagine — working with very famous people — and it never really seemed to be the answer to the age-old question: what is your purpose in life? When I had my first daughter, I realized this it it!” she says.
Kennedy is currently working on her autobiography, Plain Jayne. In it, she discusses life growing up, Hollywood, marriage, being a devoted mother and finding herself. She also has a screenplay in the works titled, Maggie and Jeannette. –yvette caslin
