From Stardom to Studio: 10 Stars Who Changed Careers To Become Talk Show Hosts

Sep 18, 2023

By: Vallari Vaidya

From Fame to the Talk Show Game, Here Are 10 Celebrities Who Took the Hosting Chair

In the glamorous world of Hollywood, where stars strut on red carpets, and the cozy ambiance of talk show stages, numerous well-known celebrities have transitioned smoothly from their successful careers in fields like acting, music, or sports to take on the ro...

1. Lily Allen

In 2008, British pop sensation Lily Allen, with a Grammy nomination and three Ivor Novello awards to her name, made an intriguing shift to television with her BBC Three talk show, "Lily Allen and Friends." The show featured notable guests like Martin...

2. Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah, the hip-hop artist who successfully ventured into acting with her role as Khadijah James on the Fox TV show "Living Single" from 1993 to 1998, faced challenges when trying her hand at talk shows. Despite her talent, "The Queen Lat...

3. Chevy Chase

In 1993, at the age of 77, Chevy Chase, renowned for his comedy and acting chops, received an unexpected opportunity in the world of television, thanks to none other than country legend Dolly Parton. Parton's suggestion led to the creation of "The Ch...

4. Megan Mullally

In 2006, Megan Mullally, famous for her Emmy-winning role as Karen Walker in "Will & Grace," ventured into hosting "The Megan Mullally Show." The first episode, featuring Will Ferrell in a memorable appearance, created a lot of exciteme...

5. Fran Drescher

In 2010, Fran Drescher, renowned for her distinctive Queens, New York, accent, tried her hand at hosting a talk show. Famously known as "The Fran Drescher Tawk Show," she hoped to replicate her small screen success. However, the show lasted a mere th...

6. Kris Jenner

Kris Jenner, at the age of 65, is renowned for her involvement in the most successful reality show in history and for coining the term "momager." In 2013, she decided to venture into hosting her own talk show, "Kris." One notable episode ev...

7. Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon, now 46, embarked on his journey as a talk show host with "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in February 2014. However, prior to hosting, Fallon had already established himself as a comedy veteran with a successful career on "...

8. Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson, aged 39, made her mark as the first winner of the inaugural season of "American Idol." Over the years, she transitioned into a successful singing and TV career. In 2019, she proved her hosting abilities by launching "The Kelly Cl...

9. Busy Philipps

Busy Philipps, a 42-year-old actress known for her roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Cougar Town," entered the late-night talk show arena with "Busy Tonight" on the E! channel in 2018. Despite strong support from her close frien...

10. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore, aged 46, successfully launched "The Drew Barrymore Show" during the peak of the pandemic, securing a second season in March. Reflecting on the challenges posed by the pandemic, Barrymore told Variety magazine that it forced her team t...