"}}]}}

Holly Hallstrom | Biography (2024)

Former American Model Famous Appearing In Game Show'The Price Is Right'

Was fired from 'The Price is Right' in September 1995 by host Bob Barker

Hallstrom has never married and has no kids, which is why she feels she was the only'Price Is Right'contestant who could stand up to "miserable tyranny at the hands of a mad dictator" (regarding Barker).During the nearly ten years her lawsuit remained in court, she spent all of her resources and money. Hallstrom sold her house and ended up living out of her car during her lowest point throughout those years. "I refused to give up and let that evil old bastard win," she stated in interviews about that time in her life.

  • By Yunil Tamrakar
  • Update :

Holly Hallstrom is a former model who appeared on the game showThe Price Is Right from 1977 to 1995.

Who is Holly Hallstrom?

Holly Hallstrom is a former American model who first got featured inThe Price Is Rightin 1977. She joined the show as the third model after Anitra Ford left. Her frequent falls, wardrobe malfunctions, and other on-air screw-ups quickly made her famous.

In 1983, Hallstrom took a break from the show to pursue a career as an actress, but she returned in 1984.

Hallstrom has also appeared inMatch Gameas a guest panelist frequently. In addition, she also appeared onFamily Feudwith herThe Price Is Rightco-stars in the early 1990s.

How Old is Holly Hallstrom?

Holly Hallstrom was born Holly Anne Hallstrom on 24 August 1952 in San Antonio, Texas. As of March2022, she is 69 years old.

She Started Her Modeling Career While in College

Hallstrom was a college student in her late teens and early twenties. During that time, she booked part-time modeling jobs to help pay for her education.

Soon after, she obtained the one job that would change her life forever while visiting Los Angeles, CA. Eventually, Hallstrom waved farewell to her college studies. That job was auditioning to be the newest Barker's Beauty on the television game showThe Price is Right, following the departure of former model Anitra Ford, who had been on the show since its inception in 1972, to pursue professions in real estate and photography the previous fall.

She Joined 'The Price is Right' in 1972

The American television game show,The Price is Rightwas created by Mark Goodson, Bob Stewart, and Bill Todman. The show premiered on CBS on 4 September 1972.

The game show centers on contestants fighting for cash and prizes by correctly valuing products. When the announcer says the show's iconic tagline, "Come on down!" contestants are chosen from the studio crowd.

Bob Barker remained the longest-serving host From the show's inception in 1972 until his retirement in June 2007, when Drew Carey took over. Beginning with Johnny Olson, followed by Rod Roddy, and finally Rich Fields, Barker was accompanied by a series of announcers. Eventually, in April 2011, George Gray took over as the show's announcer.

Since its start,The Price Is Righthas aired over 9,000 episodes, making it one of the longest-running network shows in American television history. Moreover, the show was deemed the "best game show of all time" by TV Guide in a 2007 article.

The program's 50th season debuted on 13 September 2021.

Holly Hallstrom, along with Anitra Ford, Janice Pennington, Dian Parkinson, and Kathleen Bradley, are among the models who have appeared on the show.

Hallstrom says Working on 'The Price is Right' was a Dream Come True

Hallstrom started working on the show in 1977 after replacing Anitra Ford as the third model forThe Price is Right.

In a 2005 interview withCNN, when asked is her prestigious job title asThe Price is Rightpresenter was a dream come true for her, Hallstrom replied, "Absolutely. Absolutely. And that -- and in those years, those early years, it was fun. I would pinch myself, saying, "I can't believe I got this job." You know? It was great."

She further explained that the producers, however, changed throughout time. Hallstrom mentioned that after Mr. Barker was promoted to executive producer, the entire vibe on set began to deteriorate.

Why Did Holly Hallstrom Leave 'The Price Is Right?'

Hallstrom was fired fromThe Price is Rightin September 1995 by host Bob Barker. Barker had ordered her off the show because she had gained 14 pounds (6.4 kg) because of a prescription medicine she was taking.Hallstrom later claimed that her dismissal was because she refused to support Barker when another model, Dian Parkinson, filed asexual harassment claimagainst him.

She also noted publicly that she wouldn't defend Bob Barker against another model on the show, Dian Parkinson, who was suing him for sexual harassment.

"Sexual harassment. Yes. And Mr. Barker came to me, and he said, "I've set up interviews and talk shows, and I want you to say specifically that Diana's lying. And that she's a liar." Hallstrom stated in a 2005 interview with CNN. "And I -- I found the whole thing tacky, and I didn't want to have anything to do with it. And then, later on, he asked me to recall his firing of a director differently than it happened. And it was downhill from there."

Barker filed a libel and slander suit against Hallstrom, alleging that she was lying, but dropped the case 48 hours before the trial. Hallstrom was declared the winner by the court, and Barker was ordered to pay Hallstrom's legal fees. On the other hand, Hallstrom sued Barker for age, weight, and medical discrimination, as well as wrongful termination and malicious prosecution (Hallstrom v. Barker). Hallstrom eventually received amultimillion-dollar settlementin October 2005.

The payout may have been higher, but early settlement agreements all included a "hush clause" that prohibited Hallstrom from speaking negatively about Barker to any kind of media. However, Barker declined to sign the settlement agreement's mutuality clause, maintaining the right to talk freely against Hallstrom in the media.To keep her right to speak about the issue and to shield herself from what she termed "Bob Barker's shameful manipulation of the media," Hallstrom agreed to a lower monetary settlement with no hush provision.

When asked why she didn't take the multimillion-dollar settlement, Hallstrom said, "Well, you know, there -- there's a flaw in our judicial system that allows a powerful or rich defendant to just drag the little person through the courts until he breaks you. And I was determined that was not going to happen to me. And that's why I refused the larger settlements because I wanted to retain my right to free speech."

Hallstrom noted she wanted to get a message out saying, "I think it's important that people know that in the workplace, you cannot be forced to do anything illegal, whether it's lie for your boss or endure sexual harassment, or in Mr. Barker's case, racial discrimination, he was also sued for."

Hallstrom Setup a Foundation with her Settlement Money

She has also established a foundation for people who have been subjected to unfair or malicious workplace conditions and lack the power or resources (financial or otherwise) to take on powerful individuals (such as their boss or CEO) or large corporations, despite having a valid, non-frivolous claim.

When inquired about what Hallstrom would do with her money in an interview with CNN, she said she would use the money for good use.

"I'm setting up a foundation. Is this ironic or what? I'm setting up a foundation to help people who find themselves in similar situations, when you have a legitimate lawsuit, you've got all the evidence, the testimony, everything. But you're up against some big, rich, powerful defendant who can just drag you through the courts until they break you. And no one should have to make the choice between their home or their lawsuit."

During the nearly ten years her lawsuit remained in court, she spent all of her resources and money. Hallstrom sold her house and ended up living out of her car during her lowest point throughout those years. "I refused to give up and let that evil old bastard win," she stated in interviews about that time in her life.

Is Holly Hallstrom Dead or Alive?

There are rumors floating around the internet that Hallstrom died in the early 2000s because she hasn't been seen on TV or in the media. However, it is known that she is alive.

Hallstrom has retired from acting in TV shows in the late 1990s but returned multiple times as a guest on talk shows.

What is Holly Hallstrom Doing Now?

Hallstrom is currently semi-retired and resides in one of several homes she owns in and around San Antonio. She performs infrequent interviews for CNN, The Today Show, and The View.

Hallstrom has never married and has no kids, which is why she feels she was the onlyPrice Is Rightcontestant who could stand up to "miserable tyranny at the hands of a mad dictator" (regarding Barker).

Holly Hallstrom Price Is Right Former Model Now

Holly Hallstrom | Biography (2024)

FAQs

How much did Barker's Beauties get paid? ›

Throughout their runs, Barker's Beauties were never given contracts but were rehired on a week-to-week basis at salaries well below that of other long-running TV personalities. At the time of her exit, Bradley, a 10-year veteran of the show, was being paid $2,000 to tape a week's worth of hourlong episodes.

Did Holly Hallstrom ever marry? ›

Hallstrom has never married and has no children, which is why she believes that she was the one member of The Price Is Right who could fight what she called "miserable tyranny at the hands of a mad dictator" (referring to Barker).

What happened to Holly Janice and Diane from The Price is Right? ›

Though no reason was ever given for their dismissal, it was believed that both Pennington and Bradley refused to testify against ex-Barker's Beauty Holly Hallstrom, who was abruptly dismissed back in October 1995 in her wrongful termination suit against Bob Barker and as a result, both ladies were dismissed from their ...

Did Dian Parkinson get married? ›

In 1967, she married Robert E. Parkinson, who was the executive director of the Miss Universe Pageants (legally changing her last name to Parkinson) but their marriage ended in divorce just a few years later. In the summer of 1977, Dian married a second time to legendary Hollywood producer E.

Why did Holly get fired from The Price Is Right? ›

She later revealed that the real reasoning behind her firing was because her refusal to support Barker when ex-model Dian Parkinson, (who departed back in June 1993 & later filed a lawsuit against Barker for a sexual harassment case which she ultimately dropped).

Did Holly sue "The Price Is Right"? ›

But Hallstrom, a Barker's Beauty for 19 years, also sued Barker and the show for age and gender discrimination. She claimed that when Barker no longer considered her a “beauty,” she was let go. Her life got so bad she was living out of her car and was bankrupt.

Why did Diane leave The Price Is Right? ›

Departure from The Price Is Right

Parkinson left the show in 1993, supposedly to "pursue other interests", as host Bob Barker announced during her final taping, which aired on June 18, 1993. In 1994, Parkinson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (case no. BC106366) against Barker for sexual harassment.

Who was the original Barker's beauties? ›

American model Janice Pennington was 30 years old when she became a daytime staple as one of the original Barker's Beauties on the classic price predicting television show, "The Price is Right." Janice Pennington started on the showcase show in 1972 and was part of a TV trifecta alongside Holly Hallstrom and Dian ...

What happened to the blonde model on The Price Is Right? ›

Currently Rachel is married to former professional baseball player David Dellucci and has been since Feb. 13, 2010. The couple went on to welcome a daughter named Ruby Rey on their wedding anniversary — exactly three years after saying, "I do." These days, Rachel often posts photos of her family of three via Instagram.

Do price is right models wear their own clothes? ›

Reynolds added that fashion is another fun perk of the job. "I come into work with no makeup, wet hair, and I can come in joggers and in my tennis shoes," she said. The longtime model continued, "I have the best hair and makeup, then they'll give me 30 to 40 different dresses or outfits, options to wear. I love it all.

Who is the most popular model on The Price Is Right? ›

Manuela Arbeláez Correa (born September 9, 1988) is a Colombian-American model and actress, perhaps best known for her work on the television game show The Price Is Right.

Who is the new girl on Price is Right? ›

Alexis Gaube - The Price Is Right. Alexis is the newest member of THE PRICE IS RIGHT family, joining in 2021.

How old was Bob Barker when he retired from Price is Right? ›

Throughout his lengthy career, he won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as host of The Price Is Right and four more as executive producer, in addition to a lifetime achievement Emmy in 1999. He ultimately retired at the age of 83.

Is Bob Barker still living? ›

Robert William Barker (December 12, 1923 – August 26, 2023) was an American media personality and animal rights advocate.

Where did Bob Barker live? ›

How much is Drew Carey paid for each episode of The Price Is Right? ›

Originally, he earned $60,000 per episode in the first seasons and from there, he renegotiated for $300,000 and by the final season, he earned a whopping $750,000 per episode.

Who will get Bob Barkers' inheritance? ›

According to Roger Neal, the late The Price Is Right host's longtime publicist, the bulk of Barker's estate will be donated and split between 40 different animal rights and military charities, per an ET report.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 5245

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.