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Virginia GrahamAmerican talk show host
Date of Birth: 04.07.1912
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Virginia Graham
Virginia Graham, born Virginia Komiss on July 4, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American talk show host. She attended the University of Chicago, specializing in anthropology and was a member of the academic honor society. She then went on to Northwestern University to pursue journalism and earned a master's degree.
Early Career
After World War II, Virginia wrote scripts for radio soap operas such as "Stella Dallas," "Our Gal Sunday," and "Backstage Wife." In 1951, she gained the rights to host her first radio talk show. She replaced Margaret Truman in 1956 and became one of the hosts of the NBC radio show "Weekday" alongside media star Mike Wallace.
Television Career
Virginia Graham transitioned to television in the mid-1950s and hosted daytime talk shows from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. She hosted "Food for Thought" from 1953 to 1957 and "Girl Talk" from 1962 to 1969. She also had her own show called "The Virginia Graham Show," which aired from 1970 to 1972.
Later Years
Known for her vibrant and lively personality, Virginia Graham was a well-respected and reputable figure in the media industry. One writer compared her to "Sophie Tucker played by Carol Channing." In 1982, she was offered a role as a fictional talk show host named Stella Stanton in the final episode of the soap opera "Texas." In 1988, she authored the best-selling book "Life After Harry: My Adventures in Widowhood," which discussed her experiences after the death of her husband Harry Guttenberg, who was the owner and manager of a company that created theatrical costumes. Harry Guttenberg passed away in 1990.
Advocacy and Personal Life
Virginia, who had overcome cancer, dedicated herself to raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Despite being a former heavy smoker, she actively spoke out about the dangers of smoking. However, when asked what she would do if she found out the world was ending tomorrow, Virginia confessed that she would start smoking again.
