Oprah Winfrey was born January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississipi, the daughter of Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee. She earned her BA in Speech and Drama at Tennessee State University. In 1986 Oprah Winfrey formed Harpo Productions, Inc. which produces The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history. Oprah Winfrey is owner and CEO of Harpo Productions, Inc., a vehicle through which she also produces films and television specials.
Oprah Winfrey began her career as a news reporter for WVOL Radio in Nashville where she worked from 1971 to 1972. In 1973 she became news anchorperson and reporter for WTVF-TV in Nashville where she worked until 1976. In 1976 she moved to Baltimore, Maryland and worked for WJZ-TV as News anchorperson.
In 1977 she began hosting a morning talk show People Are Talking, which ran until 1983. In 1984 she hosted A.M. Chicago on WLS-TV. In 1985 she became host of The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago. The Oprah Winfrey Show was nationally syndicated in 1986 and has enjoyed a successful run for over ten years.
Oprah Winfrey has appeared in several films, including The Color Purple in 1985. Oprah Winfrey has also produced and appeared in several television programs including The Women of Brewster Place, 1989.
Oprah Winfrey has been the recipient of many awards, including Woman of Achievement award NOW, 1986, Emmy awards for Best Daytime Talk Show Host in 1987,1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995. She was named Broadcaster of the Year in 1988 and named one of America’s 25 Most Influential People by Time magazine in 1998.
Write: Oprah Winfrey
c/o Harpo Productions
P.O. Box 909715
Chicago, IL 60607
USA
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