John Y. In 1985, George served as co-anchor for the CBS Morning News. In 1973, named chairwoman of the Kentucky Colonels after she bought a majority of the teams stock, she became the first woman to head a major professional basketball team. He briefly competed for the U.S. Senate after his gubernatorial term in the 1984 election but withdrew from the race after only six weeks, citing health issues. Brown Jr., not only dreamed the impossible dream, he lived it until the very end. [13] In September 1983, the national Democratic Party named him Democrat of the Year, and he was later made the party's lifetime Honorary Treasurer. Where can I watch the entire Dragon Ball series for free. Mr. Brown, right, in 1978 with Red Auerbach, the general manager of the Boston Celtics, shortly after Mr. Brown became the owner of the team. Army", "John Y. They beat me fair and square, but it was her glamor and his as well.". He became the governor of Kentucky in his first political race. John Y. Brown will perhaps be remembered best as a restaurant magnate who built Kentucky Fried Chicken into a. Phyllis George, a former Miss America, television personality and ex-wife of Gov. John Y. [41] McBrayer also claimed that Brown had not voted in a Democratic primary since 1975, a charge validated by public voting records. The service took place at 2:00 p.m. and was broadcasted statewide on KET. The company went public two years later and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange by 1969. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), eventAction: 'render' [67] After a brief legal fight over whether the proceedings should take place in Kentucky or Florida, the divorce became final in 1998. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also spoke out about George's passing, calling her a "trailblazing sports broadcaster, First Lady, advocate for the arts, and mother" in a tweet. He first made his mark in the restaurant franchise industry by recognizing the appeal of fast fried chicken during the 1960s and made "the colonel . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He then easily defeated Louie B. Nunn, a former Republican governor, that November. All rights reserved. [64] Kentucky Fried Chicken also introduced a roasted chicken line of products called Rotisserie Gold to compete with Roasters and Boston Chicken. She was an incredible first lady for Kentucky. Brown's family released this statement about his passing: Our Dad, John. [2] His father was a member of the U.S. Congress from Kentucky and a member of the Kentucky state legislature for nearly three decades, including a term as Speaker of the House. But when he was blocked from moving the Braves to Louisville, Ky., Mr. Brown and a partner made a deal with the Boston Celtics ownership to swap the teams. Her birth name is Pamela Ashley Brown. Concurrent with his post-KFC business ventures, Brown purchased an ownership stake in several professional basketball teams. ga('ads.send', { [32] The move allowed Levin to move his franchise to his home state of California, while giving Brown ownership of one of the league's most storied franchises. It grew to 350 outlets, but competition from Kentucky Fried Chicken, by then known as KFC, and the Boston Chicken chain (later known as Boston Market) drove it into bankruptcy in 1998. 2023 www.courier-journal.com. [45] He was also given a travel allowance. Named Miss Congeniality in the Miss Texas pageant, Georgedescribed herself in a 1998 Courier Journal interview as a small-town Christian girl"very close to my family" who entered the Miss America pageant determined to win. eventAction: 'view' What clothing brands were popular in the 50s? Seline, "Clucker's is First Casualty in Chicken Wars". He received a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Kentucky and served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1959 to 1965. Retrieved February 24, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/moore-ellie-durall-1940. Between himself and his wife, Phyllis George, they really did a tremendous job, I think, of selling Kentucky to the outside world.. Brown Jr. PepsiCo In 1969, he bought a controlling interest in the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ He served as the 55th governor of Kentucky from 1979 to 1983, although he may be best known for building Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) into a multimillion-dollar restaurant chain. They used to say, Behind every strong man there's a strong woman. Well, I like to say,Besideevery strong man there's a strong woman.'". A public visitation for Brown happened Tuesday. Darby, "One success after another, by George". [40] During the campaign, Brown was attacked by McBrayer for refusing to release his federal tax returns. ", "John Y. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), In Boston, Mr. Brown alienated loyalists by trading away popular players before selling the team in 1979. In two months' time, the couple were engaged and then married on St Patrick's Day in New York's Marble Collegiate Church in 1979. hitType: 'event', [18] Kenny Rogers Roasters, another chain founded with country music superstar Kenny Rogers proved more successful. Rugeley, "Friendship of Brown, Lambert Focus of Ads". Brown jr. was held at the state capital. Her first marriage to Robert Evans, the former head of Paramount Pictures and film producer, lasted just over a year. After Brown was elected, George convinced him to start a craft marketing initiative within state government and used her celebrity statusto promote the products. "We had a great partnership," he said. Brown will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. [59] He entered the race late filing his candidacy papers in late February before the primary election in late May. Williams, "Business Update Brown Backs Rogers' New Chicken Chain". He was a salesman primarily. [60] When Brown approached the state capitol to file his papers, Beshear met him outside the filing office and challenged him to an impromptu debate, but Brown declined. Tony Romo to Interview Three Up-And-Coming NFL Quarterbacks in Special Airing May 24. [61][62] Brown refuted Beshear's claims in ads of his own, and the battle between Beshear and Brown opened an opportunity for Wilkinson who distinguished himself from the field by advocating for a state lottery to make a late surge. hitType: 'event', MAJOR WORKS: George debuted on CBSs NFL pre-game show, The NFL Today, in 1974 with Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, and Jimmy The Greek Snyder. His most controversial appointment was Frank Metts, his secretary of transportation. [6] Keeping a campaign promise to appoint a woman and an African-American to his cabinet, Brown named William E. McAnulty Jr., and Jacqueline Swigart to his cabinet. He was also a high-stakes gambler, a habit that rivals would wield against him. Brown said the couple's two children, Lincoln Brown, atechnology entrepreneur, andPamela Brown, a news reporter with CNN, had been with George in recent weeks providing care and support. Brown Jr truly shows how horrible he is at basketball while the owner of the Braves and how he was just in it for the money. [52] Among his other accomplishments as governor were the implementation of competitive bidding for government contracts and passage of a weight-distance tax on trucks. Brown Jr., a born salesman who became a multimillionaire by transforming Kentucky Fried Chicken into a global brand and then sold himself to voters in a six-week TV blitz to become. George resurfaced in 2000 when she played a minor character in the hit movie Meet the Parents. Why am I so emotional in my second trimester? As you know, he came in and did a lot of things differently, said former governor Martha Layne Collins. Brown married three times, the second time to former Miss America Phyllis George. During the yearslong effort, the couple spentmost of Brown's term living at their Cave Hill mansion in Lexington. BROWN JR. was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1933. George died on May 14 at the age of 70. Inspired to Achieve eventAction: 'click_ads' Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. His third marriage, to Jill Louise Roach, a former Mrs. Kentucky, ended in divorce in 2003. JOHN Y. Brown Jr. dies. [7] While in law school, he made as much as $25,000 a year selling Encyclopdia Britannica sets and employed a sales crew made up of classmates to increase his profits. During the 1970s, he also owned, at various times, three professional basketball teams: the American Basketball Association's Kentucky Colonels, and the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics and Buffalo Braves (currently the Los Angeles Clippers). Joseph Emerson Brown [50] He also appointed Viola Davis Brown as Executive Director of the Office of Public Health Nursing in 1980, she was the first African-American nurse to lead a state office of public health nursing in the United States. [23] Babe McCarthy lasted only one season as Mullaney's replacement; in 1975, Brown hired Hubie Brown as head coach. "[73] However, when Beshear was reelected in 2011, Brown did serve as inauguration co-chair with the other former governors. John Y. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). 1998John Y. He won the election after plunging into a six-week television campaign. She had two children with Brown during their marriage: Lincoln Tyler George Brown and Pamela Ashley Brown. [50] Brown re-appointed McAnulty to his former position as a judge with the Jefferson County District Court and replaced him with another African-American, George W. "I was prepared. While Brown served as governor from 1979 to 1983, his business ventures, sports ownerships and marriage to former Miss America Phyllis George are what he might be remembered for most. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Brown Jr. (Kentucky governor who later married tv host Phyllis George, 1979, and Jill Louise Brown, 1998), 1960 (div. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. [1] In May 1981, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Kentucky, and in May 1982, he was the recipient of the Father of the Year award. Brown, Jr. was 45 and Phyllis George was 29 years old. [46] Independently wealthy, Governor Brown donated his first year's salary to the project. John Brown ran Stryker Corp., a medical device and software company, for 32 years before retiring as chairman in 2009. [9] He got his wife involved in managing a barbecue restaurant; upon seeing its success, he became convinced of the financial potential of the fast food industry. Brown's Empire Stretches Across the Nation", "Former Kentucky Gov. [53], In Kentucky's Governors, Brown biographer Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau said of his administration: "There were no scandals. Outside of her professional life, George married twice. "She's been a big part of our lives.". We are one of the worlds fastest growing John Y. John Y. Wilson. Following through on his campaign promise to make more diverse appointments, he named a woman and an African-American to his cabinet. After George left CBS, she hosted a talk show on the Nashville Network and started a couple of businesses. [46] First lady Phyllis Brown organized a group called "Save the Mansion" to raise private funds to offset the repair costs. Television sports commentator and host [37], Unlike his father, Brown showed only a passing interest in politics prior to 1979. 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Horror at Larchwood Care! However, the date of retrieval is often important. Former Kentucky Gov. In 1975, George was hired as a reporter and co-host . Brown, Sr. After a brief stint in the familys law practice, Brown and a group of investors bought Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1964 for $2 million, turning Col. Harland Sanders restaurants into a global chain. Brown, Jr. married with Phyllis George (70), in 1979. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Brown Jr. has diedin Lexingtonafter an illness. John Young Brown Jr. (December 28, 1933 November 22, 2022) was an American politician, and businessman from Kentucky. During his tenure, Brown exerted less influence over the legislature than previous governors and was frequently absent from the state, leaving Lieutenant Governor Martha Layne Collins as acting governor for more than one-quarter of his term. "John was handsome, charismatic, successful, entrepreneurial, a visionary," she told The Courier Journal in 1998. Brown Jr. dies", "John Y. Phyllis Georgem. His mother was Dorothy (Inman) Brown. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} In the midst of her passing, her ex-husband former Governor John Y Brown Jr revealed the type of relationship the duo shared while they were married giving us a bit of insight into their time together. Because he owed few favors to established political leaders, he appointed many successful businesspeople to state posts instead of making political appointments. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe. The Colonel, at first, firmly declined their offer. Anyone can read what you share. All of Kentucky's living former Democratic governors were invited to participate, and each accepted the invitation with the exception of Brown. Brown Jr. and their son,Lincoln Brown,also live. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { [1], In 1982, Brown was briefly hospitalized for hypertension, and near the end of his term, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. McBrayer, defeated by Brown in the gubernatorial primary, said he didn't hold the lossagainst his political opponent and became lifelong friends with George and Brown. We were there as Browns casket, flanked by a state police honor guard, was led into the capital and set up at the foot of the Abraham Lincoln statue. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. "Moore, Ellie Durall (1940) (The new owners soon moved the Braves to San Diego and later Los Angeles as the Clippers.) . Brown Jr trades rookie of the year Adrian Dantley to the Indiana Pacers for Billy Knight. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. [28], After folding the Colonels, Brown stated that basketball was not the kind of business he wanted to be involved in. ", Current first lady:'Healthy at Home' isn't all laughs for Britainy Beshear. John Y. Mr. Browns first marriage, to Eleanor Durall, who was known as Ellie, ended in divorce. Governor Martha Layne Collins was the first and only female governor to live in the Governor's Mansion. Attained Stardom at CBS American businesswoman. And pulled me aside and says, you know, he called me Reggie, you know Reggie Thomas, we need young men like you involved in politics, Senator Thomas said. Dictionaries thesauruses pictures and press releases, Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages. [31] Four hours later, he acquired Nate "Tiny" Archibald from the New York Nets for George Johnson and a first-round draft pick in 1979. [33] The move turned Boston fans against Brown, both because Kunnert and Washington were seen as key pieces of the team's future and because team president and legendary former coach Red Auerbach publicly stated that he was not consulted about the trade. [65] The lawsuit continued until Roasters purchased a majority stake in Cluckers in August 1994. [64] In December 1992, Clucker's, a smaller player in the roasted chicken market, sued Kenny Rogers Roasters, claiming the chain had copied its recipes and menus. Brown Jr., who built the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire and was elected governor of Kentucky in 1979. }); [21] Following the 197273 season, Cherry sold his interest in the Colonels to a group from Cincinnati; Brown immediately purchased Cherry's interest from the group, reportedly to keep the team from moving to Cincinnati. [55], Some of Brown's associates were involved with a Lexington cocaine and gun-smuggling ring called "The Company". gads_event = event; [49] McAnulty resigned his post as secretary of the state's Justice Cabinet within one month, saying the position would keep him from spending enough time with his family. [69] In 2003, Patton renamed Kentucky Route 9 as the "John Y. LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Former Kentucky governor and businessman John Y. Brown tried to make a political comeback in 1987 but failed to win the Democratic partys nomination for governor. Browns term as governor was marked by tough economic times, budget challenges, and state employee layoffs. "[44] The report went on to say that the mansion was a virtual firetrap. [39], During his term, Brown served as co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission and chair of the Southern States' Energy Board. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. [3][4] A 1979 People magazine article recounts that the elder Brown's nine unsuccessful political races for either governor or the U.S. Senate took a toll on his family and left his mother resentful of all the money spent on campaigns. In early 1985, after her four yearsas Kentucky's first lady, she became a co-host with Bill Kurtis of "CBS Morning News," a disappointing run for Georgethat lasted only eight months. John Y. Reach Deborah Yetter at dyetter@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4228. What is the downstream petrochemical industry? His positive attitude and zest for life was unrivaled and allowed him to beat the odds many times over. [12], For his work with KFC, Brown was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America by the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1966; the following year, the Chamber named him one of the Outstanding Civic Leaders of America. She would later say that was one of the toughest times in her professional life. [6] For example, he did not attempt to influence the choice of legislative leadership, while most previous governors had practically hand-selected the presiding officers in each house. [58], On March 15, 1984, Brown filed as a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Walter Dee Huddleston just hours before the filing deadline. John Y. In 1979, however, recently wed to Phyllis George, a pioneering sportscaster and former Miss America, Mr. Brown plunged into a six-week television campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and defeated several candidates by a plurality of just under 30 percent. [13] Eventually, he became a member of both the Kentucky and Louisville Chambers of Commerce. "To us, she was the most incredible mother we could ever ask for, and it is all of the defining qualities the public never saw, especially against the winds of adversity, that symbolize how extraordinary she is more than anything else. She was also a founding member of the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship. In the first, he swapped reigning Rookie of the Year Adrian Dantley for the Indiana Pacers' Billy Knight, who was second in the league in scoring the previous season. [12] Giving all their restaurants a distinct red-and-white striped color pattern, the group opened over 1,500 restaurants, including locations in all 50 U.S. states and several international locations. Brown Jr.". Brown went on to own the Boston Celtics, marry former Miss America Phyllis George and run for governor of Kentucky, winning by a landslide. Copyright 2022 WKYT. John Young Brown, Jr. (born December 28, 1933) is a politician, entrepreneur, and businessman from the U.S. state of Kentucky. And then it made my job easier when it was time to look for more economic development and more growth., He would call me and say I dont like the way the football team is playing or the basketball team, said the founder of Host Communications, Jim Host. Andy Beshear offered his condolences on Twitter on Saturday. [70] The "AA" designation comes from the fact that the highway originally connected the cities of Alexandria and Ashland. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. [2][15] Of the 340-outlet beer-and-hot-dog chain, Brown said "they did not have very good food. John Y. I don't want to be part of it. (February 24, 2023). And I would say, John, they are going to be better. Well, lets go to practice, we would call up Cal and go to practice.. [57] Phone records also showed calls from the governor's mansion to several individuals eventually convicted of drug charges in connection with the investigation. },false) ga('ads.send', { [69] Brown said he had always been interested in curbing domestic violence, but his interest became personal after he discovered that his sister, Betty "Boo" McCann, had been a victim. He married Wealthy Hotchkiss in 1847. Updated: Nov 22, 2022 / 04:02 PM EST. 19791998Eleanor Durallm. Rugeley, "Nunn Says Brown Unfit, Revives Old Charges". [46] The state had expected to cover the cost of the repairs using federal revenue sharing funds, but President Jimmy Carter ordered a halt to the funds in May 1980. Brown Jr. (Kentucky governor who later married tv host Phyllis George, 1979, and Jill Louise Brown, 1998), 1960 (div. They used to say, 'Behind every strong man there's a strong woman'. pic.twitter.com/1QezRq03wk. Brown, Jr. passed away last week. And while Brown's personal fortune helped him win a crowded Democratic primary that included former Louisville Mayor Harvey Sloaneand go on to win the 1979 general election,observers credited George's radiant charm and celebrity appeal for giving Brown the edge in his first bid for public office. In 1979, after marrying his second wife, Phyllis George, Brown won the Democratic partys nomination for Kentucky governor and went on to defeat former Governor Louie B. Nunn. [37] While recovering from the surgery, Brown suffered a rare pulmonary disease, keeping him hospitalized for weeks, during part of which time he was comatose. [42], Within a month of moving into the Governor's Mansion, Brown noticed significant deterioration in the wiring and ordered a full inspection. Hewlett, "1st African-American Ky. High-Court Justice William E. McAnulty 19472007". In 1971, Heublein Inc. acquired KFC for $285 million. I never will forget that.. [8] Again, Brown made the trade without consulting Auerbach. [55] Brown, who was not the focus of the FBI's investigation, later recanted that statement. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. [75] He had been dealing with health complications derived from COVID-19 since the summer. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in Browns honor until sunset on the day of interment. Wilfred P., B.Comm., LL.B., Q.C. Brown Jr. laid to rest, One dead after tree falls onto car in Lexington, Chris Baileys Forecast | Potential for tornadoes to spin up across the area, Lexington asking residents to report property damage. Name variations: Ellie Brown. He started the Chicken Grill restaurant in Louisville and helped his wife, Phyllis, launch Chicken By George, a line of boneless, skinless chicken breast products designed for sale in supermarkets and preparation at home. [52] He opened communications and contacts with Japan, setting the stage for future economic relations between that country and Kentucky. Brown, Jr. has died at the age of 88. [29][35], Brown and his first wife divorced in 1977. Source, Browning, Robert eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 1977); m. Robert Moore; children: 3, including John Young Brown III (Kentucky Secretary of State). In July 1986, Reynolds announced the sale of KFC to PepsiCo for $850 million (around US$2.0 billion in 2020). Brown Jr. On Wednesday, a private service for John Y. John Young Brown (February 1, 1900 - June 16, 1985) was an American attorney and politician. In the 1970s, Brown purchased ownership stakes in several professional basketball teams. Brown, Jr., was a 29-year old lawyer from Kentucky who, with his millionaire patron Jack Massey, set out to convince Sanders to sell his company. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ [36] The ceremony was performed by Norman Vincent Peale. "She was always a very, very nice person and very decent to me. [39] He promised to run the state government like a business and to be a salesman for the state as governor. Brown intended to build the business into a chain, but five months after the Lexington location opened, both stores closed. }); In the midst of her passing, her ex-husband former Governor John Y Brown Jr revealed the type of relationship the duo shared while they were married giving us a bit of insight into their time together. [6] In all, Brown was out of the state leaving Lieutenant Governor Martha Layne Collins as acting governor for more than five hundred days during his four-year term. Brown Jr. AA Highway". John Y. Brown Jr., the dashing multimillionaire who built Kentucky Fried Chicken into an international success, then won Kentucky's governorship in a whirlwind campaign with his celebrity . Though it would later end in divorce, the marriage of the handsome couplewith "his and her matching dimples" brought a splash of celebrity and national attention to the race that swept Browninto office as Kentucky's 55th governor. Pamela Brown was born on November 29, 1983, in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. [18] The founding of Kenny Rogers Roasters was part of a larger movement in the restaurant industry toward healthier, take-home offerings. . Though his political career was brief, after storming to victory with a former Miss America by his side, he made millions after selling the fried chicken chain. }); Kirkpatrick and Papanek, "Scouting Reports". She died of a rare blood cancer in 2020 at 70 after a long career as a CBS sportscaster, in which she shattered a barrier in 1975 by joining the all-male cast of the program The NFL Today.. She replied, "John, if you want to be governor, you gotta come over here. After the defeat, Brown focused again on his business ventures which included teaming up with country star Kenny Rogers to create a chicken restaurant chain and later a meal prep kitchen concept with actress Suzanne Somers. When asked why they divorced he stated "I do have great love for Jill, but something which cannot be overlooked has come up in our marriage.