Profile Text
Gifford in 2010, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Kathryn Lee Epstein
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Date of Birth: August 16, 1953
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (paternal grandfather), German, English, French
Kathie Lee Gifford is an American television personality, comedian, actress, singer, and songwriter. She was a co-host of the show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee , from 1985 to 2000, and Today , from 2008 to 2019.
She was born in Paris, France, to American parents, Joan (Cuttell) and Aaron Leon Epstein. Kathie Lee’s paternal grandfather was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Her other ancestry is German, English, and French. Kathie Lee has also stated that her paternal grandmother was “by all accounts… a full-blooded Native American.” It is not clear if this Native American ancestry has been verified/documented.
Kathie Lee was married to professional football player, actor, and sports commentator Frank Gifford , until his death. The couple have two children, including actress Cassidy Gifford. Kathie Lee is a devout Christian.
Kathie Lee’s paternal grandfather was Meyer S. Epstein (the son of Louis Epstein and Feiga/Fanny Wolf). Meyer was born in Russia, likely in Saint Petersburg, to Jewish parents.
Kathie Lee’s paternal grandmother was Evelyn Marie Rogers (the daughter of James Oden Rogers and Catherine Adele Hollidayoke). James was the son of James Wilson Rogers and Mary Elizabeth Phipps. Catherine was the daughter of William Edward Hollidayoke and Sarah Jane Hook/Hoak.
Kathie Lee’s maternal grandfather was Alfred Thomas Cuttell (the son of Thomas James Cuttell and Florence/Florance K./Catharine Williams). Alfred was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a prominent publishing family. Thomas was the son of James Cuttell, who was English, and of Anne Maria Courties/Curtis.
Kathie Lee’s maternal grandmother was Florence/Flora M. Edlich (the daughter of Charles H. Edlich and Mary A. Charlesworth). Florence was born in New York. Charles was the son of German parents, George Emil Edlich and Catharina/Caroline Steinkopf/Stein. Mary was born in New York, the daughter of English parents, Edward Charlesworth and Catharine Lee.
Sources: Genealogy of Kathie Lee Gifford – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Kathie Lee’s maternal grandmother, Florence/Flora M. (Edlich) Cuttell – https://www.newspapers.com
Marriage record of Kathie Lee’s maternal great-grandparents, Charles H. Edlich and Mary A. Charlesworth – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Kathie Lee’s maternal great-grandfather, Charles H. Edlich – https://www.familysearch.org