A multi-talented blonde TV personality, Lunden is best known for her hosting duties on ABC's "Good Morning America". She started her broadcasting career in 1973 as a weathergirl and consumer reporter at KCRA-TV in her hometown of Sacramento. Within six months, Lunden was promoted to co-anchor of the noon news broadcast. In 1975, she moved to WABC-TV in NYC and the following year she co-anchored the weekend newscasts. Lunden began her association with ABC's "Good Morning America" in 1976 as a consumer reporter. She began to act as substitute host from 1978 to 1980, when she became a permanent host. Her contract at the time caused some controversy for its child care clause that allowed her to bring her children to work and required the network to provide a nursery.Lunden expanded her hosting duties to include two additional series on parenting, the Lifetime cable series the award-winning "Mother's Day" (1984) and the syndicated "Everyday With Joan Lunden" (1989). Despite having appeared in one film, "Macho Callahan" in the non-speaking role of a saloon keeper, Lunden turned down the opportunity to appear in Robert Benton's "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979). She had made cameo appearances as herself in "What About Bob?" (1991) and "Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home" (1995). Lunden has authored several books on parenting and also hosted videos dealing with parenting and fitness.
On September 5, 1997, after twenty years with "Good Morning America", Lunden left the show to pursue other interests. Reportedly, she would continue to host specials for ABC as well as possibly contribute to the network's newsmagazines, although Lunden did not rule out the possibility of appearing in a sitcom.
Profession(s):
TV host, newscaster, author
Sometimes Credited As:
Joan Elise Blunden
2005 Hosted "Finding the Next Designing Diva" (CBS) a reality show that will bring together 12 aspiring Martha Stewart types to crown the country's new authority on at-home living
2001 Hosted the A&E series "Biography"
1997 In May, announced she would relinquish hosting duties of "Good Morning America" on September 5
1995 Released workout video, "Joan Lunden Workout America"
1994 Hosted primetime special, "Behind Closed Doors With Joan Lunden"; subsequent airings occurred on ABC until 2000 when A&E began to air reruns with ten new episodes set for 2001
1991 First speaking role in films, playing herself in cameo role in "What About Bob?"
1989 Hosted "Everyday with Joan Lunden", a syndicated talk show
1989 Released first video, "Your Newborn Baby: Everything You Need to Know"
1987 Hosted first primetime special "Our Kids and the Best of Everything"
1986 Appeared in ABC information spots called "Mother's Minutes"
1984 Hosted "Mother's Day" on the Lifetime cable network
1980 First appearance as temporary host of "Good Morning America" in February
1980 Named permanent co-host of "Good Morning America" in August
1978 Role on "Good Morning America" expanded; had childcare clause written into her contract
1976 - 1980 Co-anchored weekend newscasts at WABC-TV
1976 First appearance on "Good Morning America" (ABC) as consumer reporter
1976 Turned down role as Dustin Hoffman's lawyer in film "Kramer vs. Kramer"
1975 Moved to NYC to join WABC-TV
1974 Became co-anchor of daily noon news broadcast of KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA; also produced noon broadcast and hosted specials (date approximate)
1973 Hired as model at KRCA-TV, Sacramento; eventually made appearances on air as weathergirl and consumer reporter
1968 Film debut in non-speaking role, "Macho Callahan"
1966 Graduated high school at age 16