Holly Hallstrom
Encyclopedia
Holly Hallstrom was one of the models ("Barker's Beauties
") on the daytime game show
The Price Is Right
, from 1977–1995. She was known for having mishaps with prizes and various set pieces which made her a favorite among viewers.
left the program the previous fall. Hallstrom appeared, along with Janice Pennington
and Dian Parkinson
, as one of the principal models on all versions of the show from the late 1970s through the early 1990s.
Hallstrom briefly left the program in 1983 to pursue an acting career but re-joined the cast later in 1984.
while dancing during the closing credits of the episode; Hallstrom ran behind announcer Johnny Olson
while Bob Barker
stepped in front, covering her behind with his jacket.
Once, when modeling for a Jukebox, Hallstrom had danced with a male mannequin while announcer Rod Roddy was describing the prize. While dancing with it, the mannequin's pants had started to fall off, causing uproarious laughter in the audience. Hallstrom did not notice until Roddy had finished reading the description for the prize, and started to laugh herself in embarrassment.
On three episodes, as she was modeling a set of kitchen appliances, the door of the refrigerator (or, in the third incident, the dishwasher) kept swinging back open after she attempted to shut it.
, then host and executive producer of The Price Is Right, dismissed Hallstrom from the show. Hallstrom subsequently revealed that Barker ordered her off the show because of 14 pounds (6.4 kg) she had gained due to a prescription medication she was taking. Hallstrom later alleged that the real reason for her dismissal was her refusal to support Barker when another model, Dian Parkinson
, sued him for sexual harassment. Hallstrom claimed that Barker ordered her to go on talk shows and do interviews saying that Parkinson was lying, as well as being instructed to recall certain events differently than she remembered them. Hallstrom, who did not want to get involved in the situation or perjure herself, refused. Barker subsequently fired her from the show. When Hallstrom announced that she was fired from The Price Is Right for gaining 14 pounds, Barker and The Price Is Right received a record amount of angry mail from fans, many claiming to be "former" fans who quit watching the show as a result of Hallstrom's firing. Barker responded by filing suit against Hallstrom for libel and slander (Barker v. Hallstrom), claiming that Hallstrom was lying. Just before Barker's case went to court, he dropped his suit. The court declared Hallstrom the prevailing party and ordered Barker to pay Hallstrom's legal fees.
Hallstrom countersued Barker for age, weight and medical discrimination, wrongful termination and malicious prosecution (Hallstrom v. Barker). In October 2005, Hallstrom received a multi-million dollar settlement. The settlement would have possibly been more, but early settlement agreements all contained a "hush clause" that forbade Hallstrom from saying anything disparaging about Barker to any form of the media. However, Barker himself refused to agree to the mutuality clause of the settlement agreement, thereby retaining the right to speak freely against Hallstrom in the media, and has since publicly called "disgusting" Hallstrom and the numerous other women who have sued him. In order to retain her right to freedom of speech, and to protect herself against what she called "Bob Barker's shameless manipulation of the media", Hallstrom accepted a lesser financial amount, but with a settlement that did not contain a hush clause. She has also started a foundation for individuals who have suffered wrongful or malicious conditions in the workplace, and don't have the power or resources (financially or otherwise) to go up against powerful individuals (whether it be their boss or CEO, etc.) or large corporations, despite having a valid, non-frivolous claim.
Following their testimonies in Barker's failed lawsuit against Hallstrom, models Janice Pennington
, Kathleen Bradley
, production assistants Linda Riegert and Sherrill Paris, and veteran director Paul Alter
all lost their jobs on The Price Is Right. Pennington, who had been with the show since its debut in 1972, and Bradley (1990–2000) received out-of-court financial settlements. Pennington's contained a hush clause prohibiting her from speaking publicly against Barker. Although Pennington has not spoken publicly regarding Barker or her departure from The Price Is Right since receiving her financial settlement, Bradley has referred to her termination as "abrupt" and "unexpected", and as an event she was not prepared for. Paris filed suit against Barker for wrongful termination, along with another female production assistant, Sharon Friem, who was also dismissed at the same time and sued Barker for wrongful termination, as well as sexual harassment and sex discrimination, claiming she was the target of many inappropriate sexual remarks and gestures. Both women ultimately received financial settlements to drop their lawsuits against the aging game show host. Director Paul Alter briefly regained his position and employment on the show in 2000 where he remained until he retired.
Since 1996, Hallstrom is one of six women who were dismissed from The Price Is Right under Barker's role as executive producer, and who have sued Barker for charges including sexual harassment, racial discrimination and wrongful termination. To date all of the women received out-of-court settlements to drop their lawsuits against Barker except former production assistant Linda Riegert's case, which is still pending.
Hallstrom has never married and has no children, which is why she believes she was the one member of The Price Is Right who could stand up to what she called "miserable tyranny at the hands of a mad dictator" (referring to Barker). During nearly 10 years that her lawsuit was in the courts, she spent all of her resources and savings. At her lowest point during those years, she sold her house and ended up living out of her car. As she said in interviews regarding that period of her life, "I refused to give up and let that evil old bastard win." Hallstrom is now semi-retired and living in one of several houses she owns, all of which in and around San Antonio. She does give occasional interviews for shows such as The View.
. In the early 1990s she also appeared on Family Feud
with her Price Is Right costars, the majority of which appearances were played against the cast of The Young and the Restless
.
Barker's Beauties
The American television game show The Price Is Right has, since its 1972 relaunch, had a stable of models to showcase the prizes and items that are given away on the show. From 1972–2007, the group was referred to as Barker's Beauties, a term coined by producer Mark Goodson.-1956–1965:The original...
") on the daytime game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)
The Price Is Right is an American game show which was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Contestants compete to identify the pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes. The show is well-known for its signature line of "Come on down!" when the announcer directs newly selected contestants to...
, from 1977–1995. She was known for having mishaps with prizes and various set pieces which made her a favorite among viewers.
The Price Is Right
On January 3, 1977, Hallstrom joined the cast of The Price Is Right as the third model after Anitra FordAnitra Ford
Anitra Ford is an American actress.Ford was born in California. She was a model on The Price Is Right from its beginning in 1972 until the last days of 1976. She was replaced by Holly Hallstrom...
left the program the previous fall. Hallstrom appeared, along with Janice Pennington
Janice Pennington
Janice Marie Pennington was one of the original "Barker's Beauties" models on The Price Is Right, serving as the show's longest-running model to date, from 1972 to 2000. She was also Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the May 1971 issue. She is the older sister of fellow model Ann...
and Dian Parkinson
Dian Parkinson
Dian Parkinson is a former American model and hostess on The Price Is Right.-Career history:...
, as one of the principal models on all versions of the show from the late 1970s through the early 1990s.
Hallstrom briefly left the program in 1983 to pursue an acting career but re-joined the cast later in 1984.
Bloopers
While appearing as a model on The Price Is Right, Hallstrom was known for being accident-prone, occasionally tripping over props or prizes. On the episode that aired October 16, 1981, Hallstrom suffered a wardrobe malfunctionWardrobe malfunction
A wardrobe malfunction is a euphemism for accidental exposure of intimate parts. It is different from flashing, as the latter implies a deliberate exposure...
while dancing during the closing credits of the episode; Hallstrom ran behind announcer Johnny Olson
Johnny Olson
John Leonard "Johnny" Olson was an American radio personality and television announcer. His work spanned 32 game shows produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman from the late 1950s through the mid 1980s...
while Bob Barker
Bob Barker
Robert William "Bob" Barker is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975.Born...
stepped in front, covering her behind with his jacket.
Once, when modeling for a Jukebox, Hallstrom had danced with a male mannequin while announcer Rod Roddy was describing the prize. While dancing with it, the mannequin's pants had started to fall off, causing uproarious laughter in the audience. Hallstrom did not notice until Roddy had finished reading the description for the prize, and started to laugh herself in embarrassment.
On three episodes, as she was modeling a set of kitchen appliances, the door of the refrigerator (or, in the third incident, the dishwasher) kept swinging back open after she attempted to shut it.
Departure
In September 1995, Bob BarkerBob Barker
Robert William "Bob" Barker is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975.Born...
, then host and executive producer of The Price Is Right, dismissed Hallstrom from the show. Hallstrom subsequently revealed that Barker ordered her off the show because of 14 pounds (6.4 kg) she had gained due to a prescription medication she was taking. Hallstrom later alleged that the real reason for her dismissal was her refusal to support Barker when another model, Dian Parkinson
Dian Parkinson
Dian Parkinson is a former American model and hostess on The Price Is Right.-Career history:...
, sued him for sexual harassment. Hallstrom claimed that Barker ordered her to go on talk shows and do interviews saying that Parkinson was lying, as well as being instructed to recall certain events differently than she remembered them. Hallstrom, who did not want to get involved in the situation or perjure herself, refused. Barker subsequently fired her from the show. When Hallstrom announced that she was fired from The Price Is Right for gaining 14 pounds, Barker and The Price Is Right received a record amount of angry mail from fans, many claiming to be "former" fans who quit watching the show as a result of Hallstrom's firing. Barker responded by filing suit against Hallstrom for libel and slander (Barker v. Hallstrom), claiming that Hallstrom was lying. Just before Barker's case went to court, he dropped his suit. The court declared Hallstrom the prevailing party and ordered Barker to pay Hallstrom's legal fees.
Hallstrom countersued Barker for age, weight and medical discrimination, wrongful termination and malicious prosecution (Hallstrom v. Barker). In October 2005, Hallstrom received a multi-million dollar settlement. The settlement would have possibly been more, but early settlement agreements all contained a "hush clause" that forbade Hallstrom from saying anything disparaging about Barker to any form of the media. However, Barker himself refused to agree to the mutuality clause of the settlement agreement, thereby retaining the right to speak freely against Hallstrom in the media, and has since publicly called "disgusting" Hallstrom and the numerous other women who have sued him. In order to retain her right to freedom of speech, and to protect herself against what she called "Bob Barker's shameless manipulation of the media", Hallstrom accepted a lesser financial amount, but with a settlement that did not contain a hush clause. She has also started a foundation for individuals who have suffered wrongful or malicious conditions in the workplace, and don't have the power or resources (financially or otherwise) to go up against powerful individuals (whether it be their boss or CEO, etc.) or large corporations, despite having a valid, non-frivolous claim.
Following their testimonies in Barker's failed lawsuit against Hallstrom, models Janice Pennington
Janice Pennington
Janice Marie Pennington was one of the original "Barker's Beauties" models on The Price Is Right, serving as the show's longest-running model to date, from 1972 to 2000. She was also Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the May 1971 issue. She is the older sister of fellow model Ann...
, Kathleen Bradley
Kathleen Bradley
Kathleen Bradley is a former model primarily known as a "Barker's Beauty" on the daytime game show The Price Is Right from 1990 to 2000...
, production assistants Linda Riegert and Sherrill Paris, and veteran director Paul Alter
Paul Alter
Paul Alter was a former American television director, specializing in game shows for Mark Goodson Productions...
all lost their jobs on The Price Is Right. Pennington, who had been with the show since its debut in 1972, and Bradley (1990–2000) received out-of-court financial settlements. Pennington's contained a hush clause prohibiting her from speaking publicly against Barker. Although Pennington has not spoken publicly regarding Barker or her departure from The Price Is Right since receiving her financial settlement, Bradley has referred to her termination as "abrupt" and "unexpected", and as an event she was not prepared for. Paris filed suit against Barker for wrongful termination, along with another female production assistant, Sharon Friem, who was also dismissed at the same time and sued Barker for wrongful termination, as well as sexual harassment and sex discrimination, claiming she was the target of many inappropriate sexual remarks and gestures. Both women ultimately received financial settlements to drop their lawsuits against the aging game show host. Director Paul Alter briefly regained his position and employment on the show in 2000 where he remained until he retired.
Since 1996, Hallstrom is one of six women who were dismissed from The Price Is Right under Barker's role as executive producer, and who have sued Barker for charges including sexual harassment, racial discrimination and wrongful termination. To date all of the women received out-of-court settlements to drop their lawsuits against Barker except former production assistant Linda Riegert's case, which is still pending.
Hallstrom has never married and has no children, which is why she believes she was the one member of The Price Is Right who could stand up to what she called "miserable tyranny at the hands of a mad dictator" (referring to Barker). During nearly 10 years that her lawsuit was in the courts, she spent all of her resources and savings. At her lowest point during those years, she sold her house and ended up living out of her car. As she said in interviews regarding that period of her life, "I refused to give up and let that evil old bastard win." Hallstrom is now semi-retired and living in one of several houses she owns, all of which in and around San Antonio. She does give occasional interviews for shows such as The View.
Other game show appearances
Hallstrom also appeared several times as a guest panelist on Match GameMatch Game
Match Game is an American television game show in which contestants attempted to match celebrities' answers to fill-in-the-blank questions...
. In the early 1990s she also appeared on Family Feud
Family Feud
Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Two families compete against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey question posed to 100 people...
with her Price Is Right costars, the majority of which appearances were played against the cast of The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
.