• Autria Godfrey was born in the USA on 28 December 1984 and holds American nationality
• She is best known for her career of an anchor and reporter, especially for the work she has done with the WJLA TV station
• She studied broadcast journalism at Texas A & M University and American University, and began working as a weekend anchor and reporter after graduating
• Autria has won an Emmy Award for her success in the field of broadcasting and has an estimated net worth of over $1 million
• She is active on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, with over 6,000, 2,100 and 5,000 followers respectively.



Known for movies

Short Info

DiedMarch 16, 1983, New York City, New York, United States
SpouseMary Bourke
MarkTheme song: "Seems Like Old Times"
FactAfter years of being a popular radio personality in Washington, DC, Godfrey tried to get the top execs at CBS Radio to air his radio show on the full network. They turned him down, claiming that he was strictly a local host. However, on April 12, 1945, the network needed someone to serve as commentator for the funeral of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Godfrey was assigned to host the sad event. His remarks were so sincere and heartfelt that CBS finally gave him a nationally broadcast talk/variety series.


Who is Autria Godfrey?

Autria was born in the USA on 28 December 1984 under the zodiac sign of Capricorn and holds American nationality. She is best known for her career of an anchor and reporter, especially for the work which she has done with the WJLA TV station.

Early life and education

Autria grew up in Texas in a middle-class veteran family but she did not share much about her parents or her siblings – it is only known that her father was battling cancer for the second time in 2015 as Autria showed her support on her Twitter account.

Autria’s home town was a very small place and the local high school which she attended had only around 90 students – after she matriculated, she enrolled at Texas A & M University, and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She continued her education at the American University where she studied Broadcast Journalism – she was already quite active at that time, and was interested in debates about numerous topics, and was also a big contributor to the local newspapers.

During an interview in the “Good Morning Washington” show, Autria admitted that she began to hate journalism while she was studying it at her high school – she went to her advisor who apparently claimed that the only option she had left was broadcasting. It actually took only a couple of classes at her university for her to fall in love with this profession.

Autria’s career

As soon as she was done with her studies, Autria began working as a weekend anchor and reporter, and so spent most of her time travelling, covering numerous events including the Country Music Awards held in Nashville. She soon began working as a co-anchor for the “Good Morning Charlottesville” show, and quickly got the job of a lead anchor. As she grew more popular, she wanted to progress in her career and therefore left the show and started working for Tribune Broadcasting as their Capitol Hill Correspondent.  She quit that job in 2009 and received an opportunity to be an In-Game reporter for Washington Wizards National Basketball Association team in 2011. This was a period in her career during which she wanted to become a sports PR although she had no experience at all, but believed she would succeed at it. Her employers didn’t share her opinion but had found another job for her which included interviewing the audience and players during matches. During these years she also covered many important events including the rescue of Chilean miners and the mid-term elections in 2010 as a freelance news reporter.

Autria reported numerous events of importance such as the opening of George W. Bush Presidential Library, as well as the Washington Navy Yard shooting – she was there to cover the Virginia Tech shooting, and Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Williamsburg. In 2011, she began working for WJLA station as their news anchor of “Good Morning Washington” show, and their “ABC7 News at Noon” show. She won an Emmy Award for her success in the field of broadcasting, which helped make her even more popular in the TV broadcasting industry.

WJLA-TV station

WJLA-TV is yet another ABC affiliated TV station based in Washington D.C. – it is the main station of the Allbritton Communications Company. Its tower is located in the Tenleytown part of Washington and shared with WUSA station.

The station began broadcasting for the first time on 3 October 1947 and was called TWVW and owned by Washington Star – it was the first Band III VHF station in the US and it soon changed its name to WMAL-TV. After ABC purchased the station in March 1977, they renamed it to the name it carries today – WJLA-TV. It was the second TV station in Washington after WUSA to broadcast high definition newscasts.

Personal life and marriage(s)

Autria thought she was marrying the love of her life when she exchanged vows with Scott Thurman, who worked as an anchor as well. They met at the very beginning of Autria’s career and had been dating for years before deciding to marry in 2008 – their marriage lasted for four years as they divorced in February 2012. One year after, Autria was offered a place of a lead anchor for the “Good Morning Washington” show, which used to be her ex-husband’s position.

It took a while before Autria found love again, but did so with Paul Lindsay who is an American exceptionalist – their wedding was held at the Dumbarton House in Washington on 3 June 2017.

Autria Godfrey

Problems with the law

Even though this is not something to be expected from a TV personality such as Autria, she was once arrested for public intoxication and trespassing – the police picked her up after someone reported her for getting into a fight in a bar in February 2017. She was told to leave the place but was so persistent and came back inside after spending couple of minutes outside – policemen had no other choice but to arrest her. The incident could’ve cost Autria her career, but she was only taken off air for a couple of days. When asked to comment about Autria’s arrest, the WJLA’s community relations director Shamia Holloway said that the station doesn’t comment on personnel or their personal issues.

Autria’s perfect day

When asked how her perfect day would look like, Autria explained that it would be a day spent sleeping, but then added how she loves to go hiking and paddle boarding, while she would also love to visit Barcelona – as long as she is outside and the weather is good, it is a perfect day for her. Autria is also a very good tap dancer as she practiced it a lot during her days in high school.

Doing the Ice Bucket Challenge

Whoever said that you cannot have fun working the morning show was very wrong – Autria and her co-anchor Jummy Olabanji were challenged to do the popular “Ice Bucket Challenge” and they did it live during the “Good Morning Washington” show on 22 August, 2014.

Appearance and net worth

Autria is currently 34 years old. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes, but her height and weight are not known.

According to authoritative sources, Autria’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 million as of early 2019, and is likely to rise as the popular anchor is still very active.

Social media presence

It is quite normal to expect Autria to be very active on all the popular social media platforms – she launched her Twitter account in June 2010 and has so far gathered over 6,000 followers and tweeted more than 5,500 times. Her Instagram account is followed by nearly 2,100 people while she’s posted around 160 pictures, but she uses it mostly to keep in touch with her family – she has a Facebook page as well, with nearly 5,000 fans.

General Info

Full NameArthur Godfrey
DiedMarch 16, 1983, New York City, New York, United States
ProfessionActor, Aircraft pilot, Entertainer, Sailor, Radio personality, TV Personality, Too Fat Polka, Makin’ Love Ukulele Style, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseMary Bourke
ParentsKathryn Morton Godfrey, Arthur Hanbury Godfrey, Too Fat Polka, Makin’ Love Ukulele Style, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep
SiblingsDorothy Gene

Accomplishments

AwardsPeabody Award
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Personality, Primetime Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Kinescoped Personality, Too Fat Polka, Makin’ Love Ukulele Style, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep
MoviesFlatbed Annie and Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers, The Great Bank Hoax, Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, The Glass Bottom Boat, 50 Years Before Your Eyes
TV ShowsCandid Camera, Arthur Godfrey and His Friends, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, Your All American College Show

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Theme song: "Seems Like Old Times"
2Ukulele

Facts

#Fact
1In 1960 Arthur Godfrey was announced for the role of Abel Frake in the forthcoming 20th Century-Fox Picture "State Fair", eventually released in March 1962 with Tom Ewell having replaced Godfrey.
2His radio shows were broadcast over the AFRS network. These were played by the local outlets from vinyl recordings.
3Grandfather of DC Housewife, Mary Schmidt Amons.
4He was awarded 3 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard; for Recording at 6616 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 1559 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
5He once remarked on his television show that, when told they had booked Tommy Leonetti, he thought that it was a trio called "Tommy, Lee and Eddie.".
6He was a close friend of narrator Peter Thomas.
7Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives." Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 323-325. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
8Was an avid amateur (ham) radio operator with the call sign K4LIB. This call is now owned by the Arthur Godfrey Fan Club, which runs an annual ham event in honour of his memory.
9Was thought to have been at least the partial inspiration for the character of Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes in Elia Kazan's film A Face in the Crowd (1957). The character of Rhodes was that of a popular TV personality whose folksy image covered up the fact that he was a vicious, manipulative bully privately.
10He was rated as a Naval Aviator in 1950 (his previous attempts to serve during the war were thwarted by a leg injury). He was certified to fly virtually every type of aircraft in existence during his lifetime (rotor, jet, multiple engine, helicopter, holding FAA type ratings from the DC-3 to the Constellation) and was an honorary pilot for Eastern Airlines. He appeared in a 1953 Eastern Airlines film with famed pilot Dick Merrill at the helm of a Constellation. His friend Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker gave him a customized DC-3 in 1947, which he more than returned in kind through plugs for the airline along with his endorsements about flying safety to his millions of flying-wary listeners during the 1940s.
11Steve Allen, Eddy Arnold and Joe E. Brown served as substitute hosts/performers on Talent Scouts (1948) and on Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (1949).
12After years of being a popular radio personality in Washington, DC, Godfrey tried to get the top execs at CBS Radio to air his radio show on the full network. They turned him down, claiming that he was strictly a local host. However, on April 12, 1945, the network needed someone to serve as commentator for the funeral of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Godfrey was assigned to host the sad event. His remarks were so sincere and heartfelt that CBS finally gave him a nationally broadcast talk/variety series.
13He made his radio debut in the mid-'20s on a radio talent show as a banjo player and singer. He later hosted his own musical/variety program, "Red Godfrey The Warbling Banjoist & His Uklelee Club.
14Inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame in 2001.
15He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.
16At his TV peak in 1953, he starred in three different television shows simultaneously -- Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (1949), Talent Scouts (1948), and Arthur Godfrey Time (1952).
17He was known for finding and grooming young, undiscovered talent. But he insisted on loyalty and absolute control over their careers. One of his bigger finds, singer Julius LaRosa, was unceremoniously fired by a very gracious-sounding Godfrey ON THE AIR simply because the up-and-comer found himself an agent. Godfrey's popularity soon declined after the incident -- his "nice guy" public image irreparably damaged.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Love Boat1979TV SeriesNed Dunkmueller
Flatbed Annie & Sweetiepie: Lady Truckers1979TV MovieUncle Wally
Angels' Brigade1979Arthur Godfrey
Flying High1978TV SeriesRed Greene
The Great Bank Hoax1978Maj. Bryer (Ret.)
Ellery Queen1976TV SeriesClaude Sitwell
The Red Skelton Hour1967-1969TV SeriesShifty Sam / Farmer
Your All-American College Show1968TV SeriesHost
Where Angels Go Trouble Follows!1968The Bishop: The 'In' Group
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre1967TV SeriesSheriff Tinsley
The Glass Bottom Boat1966Axel Nordstrom
Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine1964TV SeriesCameo
4 for Texas1963Mr. Godfrey (uncredited)
Fifty Years Before Your Eyes1950DocumentaryNarrator
Arthur Godfrey and His Ukulele1950TV SeriesHost

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Gintberg på kanten2011-2016TV Series documentary music - 13 episodes

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Six Feet Under2004TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Dean Martin Show1967TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Glass Bottom Boat1966performer: "The Glass Bottom Boat", "Whatever Will Be, Will Be Que Sera, Sera" uncredited
Arthur Godfrey and His Friends1958TV Series performer - 1 episode

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
America: The Everglades1971TV Movie documentary
America: The Ocean Frontier1970TV Movie documentary

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Arthur Godfrey Time1952TV SeriesHimself
Premiere1951TV SpecialHimself
It Could Happen to You1947ShortHimself - Narrator and Radio Show Host
Oz: The American Fairyland1997Video documentaryHimself (voice)
The Arthur Godfrey Special1979TV MovieHimself - Guest of Honor
The Alan Hamel Show1979TV SeriesHimself
Everyday1978TV SeriesHimself
CBS: On the Air1978TV Mini-Series documentaryCo-host - part II
Handle with Care1977Himself (voice)
The Hollywood Squares1972-1976TV SeriesHimself
Donny and Marie1976TV SeriesHimself
The Merv Griffin Show1976TV SeriesHimself
Don Rickles: Buy This Tape You Hockey Puck1975Video documentaryHimself
Rickles1975TV MovieHimself
The Vin Scully Show1973TV SeriesHimself
Laugh-In1973TV SeriesHimself
Portable Electric Medicine Show1972TV MovieHimself - Host
America: The Everglades1971TV Movie documentary
The David Frost Show1969-1971TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest Host
The Ed Sullivan Show1951-1970TV SeriesHimself / Singer
The Mike Douglas Show1970TV SeriesHimself
America: The Ocean Frontier1970TV Movie documentary
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 99th Edition1969TV MovieHimself - Host
The Jerry Lewis Show1968TV SeriesHimself
The Dean Martin Show1966-1968TV SeriesHimself
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour1968TV SeriesHimself
Our Place1967TV SeriesHimself
The Roger Miller Show1966TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1963-1966TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host / Himself - Guest
I've Got a Secret1958-1966TV SeriesHimself - Panelist / Himself - Celebrity Guest / Himself - Guest / ...
What's My Line?1952-1966TV SeriesHimself - Mystery Guest / Himself - Guest Panelist
The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show1966TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Hollywood Palace1964-1966TV SeriesHimself - Host / Singer
Ice Capades of 19661965TV MovieHimself - Host
The Lucy Show1965TV SeriesHimself
Password All-Stars1963-1964TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Panelist
The Jack Paar Program1963-1964TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest
The Arthur Godfrey Thanksgiving Special1963TV MovieHimself - Host
The 15th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1963TV SpecialHimself - Host
Arthur Godfrey Loves Animals1963TV MovieHimself - Host
Arthur Godfrey and the Sounds of New York1963TV MovieHimself - Host
Arthur Godfrey in Hollywood1962TV MovieHimself - Host
The Arthur Godfrey Show1961TV MovieHimself - Host
The Red Skelton Hour1959-1961TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host / Himself
Candid Camera1960-1961TV SeriesHimself - Host / Himself - Co-Host / Himself
The 12th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1960TV SpecialHimself
The Arthur Godfrey Show1960TV MovieHimself - Host
Sunday Showcase1959TV SeriesHimself - Host
The Arthur Godfrey Show1959TV MovieHimself - Host
Arthur Godfrey and His Friends1953-1958TV SeriesHimself - Host / Himself / Performer
Talent Scouts1949-1956TV SeriesHimself - Host
The Al Pearce Show1954TV SeriesHerself - Singer
The Jackie Gleason Show1954TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host
Person to Person1953TV Series documentaryHimself
Flying with Arthur Godfrey1953DocumentaryHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
60 Minutes2011TV Series documentaryHimself (segment "Andy Rooney")
Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority2008DocumentaryHimself
Pioneers of Television2008TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
Candid Camera: 5 Decades of Smiles2005VideoHimself
Muppets Magic from 'The Ed Sullivan Show'2003VideoHimself
Biography1996-2000TV Series documentaryHimself
Television: The First Fifty Years1999Video documentaryHimself
Avalon1990Himself (uncredited)
When Television Was Young1977TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Movie Orgy1968DocumentaryHimself - Brief Clip from Unidentified Program (uncredited)
Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine1963TV SeriesHimself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1972Personal AwardPeabody Awards
1960Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameTelevisionOn 8 February 1960. At 1559 Vine Street.
1960Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameRecordingOn 8 February 1960. At 6616 Hollywood Blvd.
1960Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameRadioOn 8 February 1960. At 6233 Hollywood Blvd.

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1954Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsMost Outstanding Personality
1953Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsMost Outstanding Personality
1950Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsMost Outstanding Kinescope Personality

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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