Nancy O'Dell

O'Dell was born in 1966{{Cite web |url=https://grandstrandmag.com/feature/a_tale_of_two_stars |title=A Tale Of Two Stars |last=Daniels |first=Ashley |work=Grand Strand Magazine |date=December 2014 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420190030/https://grandstrandmag.com/feature/a_tale_of_two_stars |url-status=live }} in Sumter, South Carolina, and moved to Myrtle Beach as an infant. She has one sister. After her 1984 graduation from the now-defunct Coastal Academy High School, she graduated with a summa cum laude bachelor's degree in marketing from Clemson University in 1990.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} At Clemson, O'Dell joined Kappa Kappa Gamma. She won the Miss South Carolina pageant in 1987 and represented the state at Miss America 1988, where she won a preliminary swimsuit award. In 1990, in the Miss South Carolina USA pageant, she finished first runner-up to Gina Tolleson, who became the first runner-up in Miss USA 1990 before winning Miss World that year.

O'Dell began her broadcasting career as a reporter and anchor at WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She later worked as morning news anchor and crime reporter at WCBD-TV in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, her reports on the lenient police approach to DUI cases led to a State Law Enforcement Division investigation that resulted in authorities issuing more stringent directive for such cases.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} She was honored by the Associated Press with the Best Report of the Year Award (all media, South Carolina). In 1993, she joined NBC's WTVJ in Miami, co-anchoring the 5:30 p.m. news with Jackie Nespral. O'Dell left that station in 1995 to move to Las Vegas.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} While there she worked as an entertainment reporter for the nationally syndicated tabloid show A Current Affair until the show ended in 1996.

O'Dell joined the entertainment news program Access Hollywood when the program debuted in 1996.{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/nancy-o-dell-leaves-access-hollywood/|title=Nancy O Dell Leaves Access Hollywood|last=Wihlborg|first=Ulrica|date=December 17, 2009|work=People|access-date=October 13, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013215929/http://people.com/tv/nancy-o-dell-leaves-access-hollywood/|url-status=live}} In addition to her work as Access Hollywood{{'}}s lead anchor, O'Dell contributed to NBC News' Today and Dateline NBC. She covered such ceremonies as the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Golden Globe Awards, as well as co-hosting a number of pre-shows and arrivals for the Emmys and Golden Globes.

O'Dell co-hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions in 2004 and 2005. She co-hosted the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade on WNBC from 2004 to 2006. She co-hosted the Miss USA 2006 pageant with Drew Lachey, the Miss Universe 2006 pageant with Carlos Ponce, and the Miss USA 2007 pageant with Tim Vincent.

O'Dell appeared in minor roles in the television series Charmed (season 1 finale (1999) and season 5 premiere (2002). She guest starred in The Simpsons episode "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder" (1999), voicing herself. She also portrayed herself in Scream 2 (1997), Scream 3 (2000), and Scream 4 (2011) and served as host and consulting producer of the USA Network talent competition Nashville Star for its first two seasons.

On January 13, 2008, after the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards were canceled as a result of the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, she co-hosted NBC's 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards Winners Special with Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush.

In 2009, O'Dell hosted NBC's pre-show for the 66th Annual Golden Globes with Tiki Barber and Brooke Burke. She portrayed herself in the Hannah Montana season three episode "Cheat It". She also appeared on the Fox sitcom Brothers, and in the same year she and Maria Menounos guest co-hosted WWE Raw on October 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/11092738/11919858 |title=Fights, camera, Access! |publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) |access-date=September 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009062953/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/11092738/11919858 |archive-date=October 9, 2009}} O'Dell was to participate in the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, paired with professional dancer Tony Dovolani, but had to withdraw before the season started after tearing her meniscus during training; her replacement was Melissa Rycroft.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/jewel-and-nancy-odell-withdraw-from-dancing/|title=Jewel and Nancy O'Dell Withdraw from Dancing|website=People|first=Monica|last=Rizzo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306230959/http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/03/05/jewel-and-nancy-odell-withdraw-from-dancing|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2009}} O'Dell underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair it on March 20, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/nancy-odell-recovering-from-knee-surgery/|title=Nancy O'Dell Recovering from Knee Surgery|work=People|date=March 24, 2009|first=Ulrica|last=Wihlborg|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226111343/https://people.com/celebrity/nancy-odell-recovering-from-knee-surgery/|url-status=live}}

O'Dell's departure from Access Hollywood was announced in December 2009. She left the show with two years left on her contract.

On June 22, 2010, O'Dell hosted the Nashville Rising concert to provide flood relief for Nashville residents, after the floods in May of that year. She shared hosting duties with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

File:Nancy O'Dell on Olive Coco TV.jpg

On January 3, 2011, O'Dell joined Entertainment Tonight as a special correspondent, and she succeeded Mary Hart as co-anchor after Hart left the show in May 2011. An avid scrapbooker, in 2010 O'Dell partnered with Creative Memories{{cite web|title=Creative Memories Partner Nancy O'Dell Gives Away Scrapbooking Products on Rachael Ray Show|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8395504.htm|publisher=PRWeb.com|access-date=March 6, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} to release her first collection of scrapbooking supplies, the Hummingbird Collection, and her second book, Full of Love: Mom-to-Mom Advice for Enriching Families with Simple Photo Albums and Scrapbooking.{{cite web |title=Nancy O'Dell Partnership |url=http://www.creativememories.com/Content/NancyODell/NancyODell_Main.aspx |publisher=Creative Memories |access-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309174505/http://www.creativememories.com/Content/nancyodell/nancyodell_main.aspx |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |df=mdy}}

On August 2, 2019, O'Dell announced on-air that she would be leaving Entertainment Tonight after that day's broadcast. She also paid respects to her manager who recently died.{{cite news |last=Low |first=Elaine |title=Nancy O'Dell Exits 'Entertainment Tonight' After Nearly Nine Years |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/nancy-odell-leaves-entertainment-tonight-1203290282/ |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC |date=2 August 2019 |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206055214/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/nancy-odell-leaves-entertainment-tonight-1203290282/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2024, O'Dell began hosting and producing the nationally-syndicated true crime series, Crime Exposé with Nancy O'Dell.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=2024-06-27 |title='Crime Exposé With Nancy O'Dell' Syndie Strip Cleared in 95% of Country, Set for September Premiere |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/crime-expose-nancy-odell-daily-show-september-premiere-1236049649/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

O'Dell was married to Dr. Richard O'Dell from September 30, 1995, to November 4, 2004. In 2005, she married Keith Zubchevich. O'Dell gave birth to their daughter, Ashby Grace, in June 2007, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.{{cite web|last=Ingrassia|first=Lisa|url=https://people.com/celebrity/access-hollywoods-nancy-odell-has-a-girl/|title=Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell Has a Girl|website=People|date=June 11, 2007|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=February 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226172732/https://people.com/celebrity/access-hollywoods-nancy-odell-has-a-girl/|url-status=live}} She said unexpected and surprising changes happened to her body during the pregnancy that prompted her to write a parenting book, Full of Life.{{cite web|url=http://www.cookiemag.com/entertainment/2009/03/nancy-odell|title=Celebrity-Parent Profile: Nancy O'Dell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329092825/http://www.cookiemag.com/entertainment/2009/03/nancy-odell|date=March 29, 2009 |archive-date=March 29, 2009}} She is one of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's National ALS Ambassadors.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-23 |title=Nancy O'Dell to Share Her Mom's ALS Story as Part of MDA 'Live Unlimited' Campaign |url=https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/nancy-odell-to-share-her-moms-als-story-as-part-of-mda-live-unlimited-campaign/73-253800673 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}} In September 2016, O'Dell filed for legal separation from Zubchevich and in November 2017, they filed for divorce.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nancy-odell-separated-from-husband-of-more-than-10-years-w444884/ |title=Nancy O'Dell Separated From Husband of 11 Years |last=Chen |first=Joyce |date=October 13, 2016 |website=Us Weekly |access-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225102950/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nancy-odell-separated-from-husband-of-more-than-10-years-w444884/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nancy-odells-estranged-husband-keith-zubchevich-files-for-divorce-one-year-after-separation/|title=Nancy O'Dell's Estranged Husband Keith Zubchevich Files for Divorce One Year After Separation|last=Hautman|first=Nicholas|date=November 22, 2017|website=Us Weekly|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040612/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nancy-odells-estranged-husband-keith-zubchevich-files-for-divorce-one-year-after-separation/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/nancy-o-dell-husband-reportedly-files-divorce-article-1.3651780|title=Nancy O'Dell's husband reportedly files for divorce|last=Feldman|first=Kate|date=November 22, 2017|website=New York Daily News|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051752/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/nancy-o-dell-husband-reportedly-files-divorce-article-1.3651780|url-status=live}}

In May 2013, O'Dell received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Clemson University. At the ceremony, she spoke to the graduates, encouraging them to never give up in pursuing their dreams: "I decided that I would rather fail doing something I enjoyed than be successful doing something that would just be a grind [....] my wish for all of you is that you will do the same. Be who you are because you'll always be right."{{Cite web |url=https://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-university-to-present-honorary-degree-to-entertainment-tonights-nancy-odell/ |title=Clemson University to present honorary degree to Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell |website=Clemson University |date=May 6, 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-university-awards-3053-degrees-honors-alumna-nancy-odell/ |title=Clemson University awards 3,053 degrees; honors alumna Nancy O'Dell |website=Clemson University |date=May 10, 2013 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624041040/http://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/clemson-university-awards-3053-degrees-honors-alumna-nancy-odell/ |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.nancyodell.com/}}
• [http://www.accesshollywood.com/insideaccess/ah77.shtml Nancy O'Dell] at Access Hollywood
• [http://www.misssouthcarolina.com/former.php?action=details&id=31{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Nancy O'Dell] at Miss South Carolina

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{{succession box|title=Host of Access Hollywood|with=Pat O'Brien (1999–2004)|with2=Billy Bush (2004–2009)|before=Giselle Fernández|before2=Pat O'Brien|after=Billy Bush|years=1999–2009}}

{{succession box|before=Billy Bush|before2=Daisy Fuentes|title=Miss Universe host|years=2005–2006|after=Mario Lopez|}}

{{succession box|before=Billy Bush|before2=Daisy Fuentes|title=Miss USA host|years=2004–2007|after=Donny Osmond|after2=Marie Osmond|}}

{{succession box|title=Co-host of Entertainment Tonight|before=Mary Hart|after=Current|years=2011–2019}}

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{{Miss America 1988 Delegates}}

{{South Carolina pageant winners}}

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{{Commons category|Nancy O'Dell}}

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Category:1966 births

Category:Living people

Category:American infotainers

Category:American television news anchors

Category:American women television journalists

Category:Clemson University alumni

Category:Journalists from South Carolina

Category:Miss America 1988 delegates

Category:Miss America Preliminary Swimsuit winners

Category:People from Sumter, South Carolina

Category:People from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Category:Beauty pageant hosts

Category:Television anchors from South Carolina

Category:21st-century American women