Biography for
Samantha Harris (I) More at IMDbPro »

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As seasoned entertainment news journalist and TV personality, Samantha Harris may be best-known for co-hosting ABC's hit series, "Dancing with the Stars" (2005/I) -- which averages more than 30 million viewers weekly. She also has a strong international fan base, since Harris is seen in over 120 countries in 600 million homes on E! Entertainment Television. In addition to writing, producing and reporting daily for "E! News" (1998), she co-hosts the network's live award-show coverage for the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys. Samantha has also added THS: Investigates (2005) (TV), a spin-off series from the producers of "E! True Hollywood Story" (1996), to her hosting duties. Morning show viewers have also enjoyed Samantha's contributions as a special correspondent on ABC's "Good Morning America" (1975).

Prior to joining E!, Harris served as the weekend co-host for the nationally syndicated entertainment news magazine "Extra" (1994), where she interviewed hundreds of celebrities. As a full-time correspondent for the show, Samantha took to the stage performing with Cirque du Soleil, sang a duet with Wayne Newton during his live show in Las Vegas as well as danced her way into the arms of Patrick Swayze backstage while he performed in Chicago. She also launched the first-ever Las Vegas bureau for "Extra" (1994), as the anchor.

Samantha's other hosting credits include Fox's "The Next Joe Millionaire" (2003) and AMC Access, a show produced by NBC's "Access Hollywood" for the AMC network. Additionally, Samantha also served as a guest co-host on ABC's "The View" (1997).

Harris' talents also extend to the stage and screen. Hot off the North American tour "Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python" (where Samantha's comedic, vocal and dance performance electrified audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and other prestigious venues), CBS cast her as America's sweetheart, Mary Ann, in its made-for-TV movie Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001) (TV). Samantha's other acting credits include: the multi-award winning "Reefer Madness!: The New 'Hit' Musical" (original cast), Beautiful (2000), and other films.

As a model, Samantha is a three-time cover girl for Muscle & Fitness HERS and has been featured in MAXIM, SELF, and SHAPE magazines as well as numerous ads and commercials. As a fitness enthusiast, she loves dancing, kick-boxing, yoga and hiking.

Samantha actively participates in various charity events, including the Revlon Run/Walk and What A Pair, P.S. Arts and Harmony With No Limits.

Born and raised in Hopkins, Minnesota, by a rock concert promoter father and dancer mother -- who together created and produced one of the country's first renaissance festivals, King Richard's Faire -- Samantha went on to graduate with honors from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois.

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Trivia

In the movie Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), she plays "Miss Burnsville", who is competing for the Miss Minnesota title. In the movie Beautiful (2000), she plays "Miss Minnesota".

She is a three-time cover girl for the women's fitness magazine, Muscle & Fitness Hers. She has also been featured in Maxim, Shape and Self magazines.

Her parents created one of the country's first renaissance festivals, called King Richard's Faire. Their original one began in 1972 in the Chicago, Illinois, area. They then expanded, and the second faire still operates in Carver, Massachusetts.

At age 33, she gave birth to her first child. Daughter, Josselyn Sydney, was born on September 23, 2007. Arriving a few weeks early, she weighed in at 6 lbs, 12 oz and 20 inches.

Announced on the 2009 season finale of DWTS that she will be appearing on Broadway as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" beginning in July.

She is also a correspondent for the syndicated entertainment news show, The Insider.

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