PHYLLIS GEORGE
1949-2020 FORMER MISS AMERICA WAS PIONEERING SPORTSCASTER
PHYLLIS GEORGE, who broke the gender barrier in national sports as co-host of CBS’ “The NFL Today” in 1975, died May 14 due to complications from a blood disorder. She was 70.
George, a former Miss America, got her start on television in 1974 as co-host, with Allen Funt, of “The New Candid Camera.” A Texas native, she shared “The NFL Today” desk for three seasons with Brent Musberger, Irv Cross and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder. She had stints as a co-anchor of People magazine’s self-titled entertainment show in 1978, and “The CBS Morning News” before returning to “NFL Today” through 1983.
George was briefly married to Hollywood producer Robert Evans before tying the knot in 1979 with John Y. Brown, who built the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain and would go on to become governor of Kentucky. She and Brown divorced in 1998.
In 2000, George was featured in the film “Meet the Parents.” She was later an author and started a pair of businesses, including a line of skin care products and cosmetics that she marketed through HSN.
George is survived by daughter Pamela Ashley Brown, a CNN White House correspondent, and son Lincoln Tyler George Brown. —Variety Staff