Jason Kennedy Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, E-News
For two decades, Fort-Lauderdale native Jason Kennedy has been the breezy, quick-witted face beaming from red carpets, morning shows, and prime-time specials. The E! News alum—now fronting his own celebrity-interview series “In the Room” and guest-hosting Access Hollywood—is widely regarded as one of the most versatile on-air personalities in U.S. entertainment television.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Robert Jason Kennedy |
| Profession | TV Host • Correspondent • Producer |
| Birth Date | 11 December 1981 |
| Age (2025) | 43 |
| Birth Place | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | E! News • Live from the Red Carpet • NBC’s Today |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue-Green |
| Qualification | B.S. Broadcast Journalism & Theater, University of Miami |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Lauren Scruggs Kennedy (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 — Ryver (2022), Poppy (2023) |
| Hobbies | Golf, basement-studio tinkering, South-Florida food tours |
| Years Active | 2004 – present |
| Net Worth (2025) | ≈ $5 million |
Early Life & Education
Jason grew up in Lighthouse Point, FL, where a 5th-grade field trip to Miami’s WSVN studios ignited a life-long obsession. By age 12, he had converted the family basement into a mini-broadcast center: 15 TVs, 4 cameras, a green screen and a hand-built desk courtesy of his dad’s marine-construction crew. While classmates played sports, Jason chased news trucks on his bike, selling footage to local stations for lunch money. He graduated from Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) and double-majored in Broadcast Journalism & Theater at the University of Miami, collecting the AP Award for Best News Feature in Florida along the way.
Career Journey
2004-2005: TV Guide Channel & First Paycheck
Three days after tossing his cap, Kennedy moved to L.A., folding jeans at Diesel for rent money until the TV Guide Channel hired him for Open Call, an on-air casting show.
2005-2020: E! News Dynasty
E! signed him as weekend correspondent; within a year he was co-anchoring E! News, Daily 10 and Live from the Red Carpet at the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes. His 2017 coverage helped earn the show a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Entertainment News Program .
2008: ABC Prime-Time Hiccup
Kennedy’s first network shot came hosting Dance Machine for ABC—canceled after three episodes. He calls it “the best crash course in live ratings pressure.”
2013-2019: NBC Today Contributor
Filling in for Willie Geist and natalie morales, Jason reported from 30 Rock and the field, extending his brand beyond Hollywood gossip.
2021-Present: In the Room & Independent Producing
Under his In the Room Productions, Kennedy now shoots intimate long-form interviews (Michael Phelps, Tony Robbins, justin thomas) for Oxygen, PGA Tour and Access Hollywood. He also guest-hosts charity galas, raising millions for Convoy of Hope and The Seed Company .
Career Stats (Dec 2025)
- 3x Daytime Emmy nominee (2015, 2017, 2019)
- 1 Los Angeles Times “Top 10 Next Broadcasters of Our Generation” honor
- 10+ E! Red Carpet specials hosted
- 600+ celebrity interviews (J.Lo, Nicole Kidman, jimmy fallon)
- 2 self-produced primetime specials for Oxygen
Personal Life
While interviewing Giuliana Rancic in 2013, Jason met fashion journalist Lauren Scruggs. They wed on 12 December 2014 in Dallas. After widely publicized fertility struggles, the couple welcomed Ryver Rhodes (April 2022) and daughter Poppy (October 2023) . They split time between a renovated mid-century home in Studio City and a beach condo in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
Awards & Achievements
- 2020 Cynopsis Media “It List” Host of the Year finalist
- 2019 Daytime Emmy nomination – Outstanding Entertainment News Program
- 2017 Daytime Emmy nomination – Outstanding Entertainment News Program
- 2014 Los Angeles Times “Next-Gen Broadcaster”
- 2003 Associated Press – Best News Feature, Florida
Physical Statistics
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Shoe Size | 10.5 (US) |
| Suit Size | 40 R |
| Hair | Dark Brown |
| Eyes | Blue-Green |
Quotes
- “If you’re nervous, your guest is nervous. Confidence is the ultimate kindness in an interview.”
— Flamingo Magazine, 2019 - “I learned more from folding jeans at the Beverly Center than any hosting handbook.”
— In the Room podcast, 2023 - “Red carpets look glamorous; they’re actually 300 strangers yelling in a 30-mile-per-hour wind tunnel.”
— Today show guest spot, 2024
Controversies
Zero public scandals. Industry trades praise his “squeaky-clean brand safety,” a major reason non-profits hire him for high-dollar galas.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Golf course | Riviera Country Club, CA |
| Movie comedy | Meet the Parents |
| Cheat meal | Publix chicken-tender sub |
| TV show | Real Sports with bryant gumbel |
| Sneaker | Nike Air Max 1 |
| Interview dream guest | Julia Roberts (still tops the list) |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
E! alumni typically earn $125–150 k per on-air year; Kennedy’s current mix of hosting fees, producing deals, brand partnerships and private-event emcee work pushes his annual income to ≈ $450 k. Conservative real-estate holdings (Studio City home + Florida condo) and long-term index-fund investing give him an estimated net worth of $5 million in 2025 .
Interesting Facts
- Still owns the 1998 Sony Handycam with which he shot his first news “hits.”
- Has a standing two-hour Saturday tee time with NCIS actor Michael Weatherly.
- Waxing confession: “I’m pro-eyebrow maintenance, but I don’t do it myself.”
- Keeps every media badge—700+—in custom shadow boxes lining his home-office wall.
- Favorite Florida hang: Taco Tuesday at Coconuts in Fort Lauderdale with high-school buddies.
Social Media Links
| Platform | Handle / URL | Followers (Dec 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| @jasonkennedy1 | 610 k | |
| Twitter / X | @JasonKennedy1 | 375 k |
| TikTok | @thejasonkennedy | 210 k |
| facebook.com/thejasonkennedy | 180 k | |
| YouTube | youtube.com/c/InTheRoom | 90 k |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Jason Kennedy still on E! News?
A: He left the daily desk in 2020 but returns for specials and red-carpet fill-ins.
Q2: What is Jason Kennedy’s real name?
A: Robert Jason Kennedy—he dropped “Robert” to avoid confusion with his dad.
Q3: How did Jason Kennedy meet his wife?
A: Mutual friend Giuliana Rancic introduced them during a 2013 E! segment taping.
Q4: Does Jason Kennedy have kids?
A: Yes—son Ryver (b. 2022) and daughter Poppy (b. 2023).
Q5: What is Jason Kennedy’s net worth?
A: Roughly $5 million as of 2025, built through hosting, producing, and real estate.
Conclusion
From a DIY basement studio in Florida to grilling A-listers in their living rooms, Jason Kennedy’s arc proves that relentless curiosity (and a dash of retail-folding humility) can turn childhood make-believe into a multi-million-dollar media brand. Expect more fairway banter, celebrity deep-dives, and philanthropic spotlighting as he tees up 2026.
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Sources
: E! Online – official bio
: All American Speakers – career overview
: People – Lauren Scruggs profile
