Kathie Lee Gifford Said An Agent Told Her She Was Not Pretty Enough For ‘Charlie’s Angels’ TV Casting
Kathie Lee Gifford still remembers a casting agent’s insult from earlier in her career.
Speaking with People about her new book, I Want to Matter: Your Life Is Too Short and Too Precious to Waste, Gifford recalled being abruptly told she wasn’t pretty enough to star in ABC’s Charlie’s Angels television series.
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The former Today TV host writes about the power of forgiveness and kindness in her new book. She gave one example where she received a brutal slam.
When she arrived at the casting office for an interview, she was given a quick heave-ho from an agent.
“She goes, ‘Let me tell you right now, you’re not right for Charlie’s Angels,'” Gifford said.
When she asked why, the agent spat, “Because we’re looking for a pretty girl. You know, like Jaclyn Smith: pretty, gorgeous, gorgeous.”
A stunned Gifford started to leave, but then responded.
“I said, ‘When you’re casting a cartoon,’ and I threw up my leg. ‘When you’re casting a cartoon, let me know.’ I left, thanking God that I could laugh about it.”
Gifford now has some perspective on the incident.
“I started to see, first of all, what a bitch she was. What an unnecessary bitch she was. She didn’t say ‘Sorry, honey, have a nice life. You’re not what we’re looking for.’ She had to be cruel. She had to be the exact opposite of what my dad taught me to be. The fact that I remember her name to this day is because she was so cruel.”
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