Celebrity Info
Nancy O’Dell has long stood out as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable entertainment journalists. As a co-host of Access Hollywood, which debuted in 1996 and continues to air in syndication, Nancy became a familiar face in the entertainment world. She was also a go-to correspondent for live coverage at major awards shows, bringing viewers behind the scenes at events like the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Golden Globes.
Originally named Nancy Humphries, she was born on February 25, 1966, in Charleston, South Carolina. Her broadcasting journey began in her home state, where she worked as a news reporter and anchor in Myrtle Beach and Charleston. During this time, she conducted an investigative report on the slow processing of DUI cases, which ultimately led to a change in state law and earned her recognition from the Associated Press.
From there, Nancy moved on to WTVJ, an NBC affiliate in Miami, Florida, where she served as a co-anchor. Her talent and charisma soon caught the attention of producers at Access Hollywood, and she joined the show during its inaugural season as a weekend anchor and weekday correspondent. After three years, she transitioned into a co-anchor role for the show’s daily broadcasts, further cementing her status as a top entertainment journalist in Hollywood.
In addition to her work on Access Hollywood, Nancy made appearances on NBC’s Today and Dateline NBC. She was also a prominent spokesperson for the March of Dimes, using her visibility in film and television—where she often played a version of herself—to raise awareness for the organization.
Before her television success, Nancy had a brief stint in beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Carolina in 1987 and later became co-host of both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants in 2004 and 2005, respectively. She also ventured into television production, serving as a consulting producer for Nashville Star, a show she hosted during its first season after it moved to NBC.
Nancy’s career wasn’t without its challenges. In 2009, she was announced as a contestant on season eight of Dancing with the Stars, but had to withdraw before the season aired due to a knee injury sustained during training, which required surgery. That same year, she made the move from Access Hollywood to its competitor, Entertainment Tonight, officially stepping into the role of host in May 2011 following the retirement of longtime anchor Mary Hart.
In the fall of 2016, Nancy unexpectedly found herself in the national spotlight once again. An infamous 2005 audio recording surfaced in which then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was heard making controversial remarks about his failed romantic pursuit of O’Dell while she was married. In the clip, he was heard joking about the situation with Access Hollywood co-host Billy Bush, saying, “I moved on her like a b—h, but I couldn’t get there.” The comments became a major talking point during that year’s presidential election and reignited public interest in O’Dell’s career and personal life.
Nancy O’Dell has been part of several movies, but her highest rated one so far is Outta Time from 2002. On the flip side, her lowest rated film happens to be The Smurfs 2, which came out in 2013. While Nancy O’Dell is known more for her television work, her film roles have had varying levels of reception over the years.
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