Canadian-born American television and radio personality, sportscaster, and actress Jillian Barberie has experienced a remarkable journey marked by public triumphs and private struggles. Barberie’s career on television spans over three decades. As such, she’s known to older and younger generations of TV audiences.
Jillian Barberie is known for her vibrant presence on TV and candid personality. Over the years, her story and overcoming challenges have been a testament to her resilience and personal growth. Here’s Jillian Barberie’s journey from Burlington, Ontario, her successes, and how she has navigated her personal struggles in the public eye.
Jillian Barberie’s Early Life
The TV personality was born Jillian Marie Warry in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, on September 26, 1966. Jillian Barberie never knew her parents until much later in life. Soon after she was born, Barberie was adopted. Barberie didn’t have the love of a child growing up, as she was subjected to some form of abuse from her adoptive parents.
After she reconnected with her birth parents, Barberie discovered they not only got married afterward but had two daughters. Jillian Barberie spent all of her growing years in Ontario, Canada. Her early life struggles gave her a sense of aspiration for a better future. Barberie attended and graduated with a diploma in broadcast journalism from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.
Jillian Barberie’s Career Beginnings
Jillian Barberie developed a passion for journalism at a young age. So, after her diploma, she was more than eager to begin her career. In her early career years, Barberie worked for several Canadian television stations. She once worked with The Weather Network (TWN) in Montreal, Quebec. Looking to further her career, Barberie set her sights on the United States. After moving to the United States, Barberie worked with Miami’s WSVN. However, besides her love and passion for broadcast journalism, Barberie wanted to be an actress. To this end, she moved West to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, she worked with KTTV.
Jillian Barberie’s Rise to Fame
It didn’t take long for Jillian Barberie to become a popular TV personality. At KTTV, she was the weather-woman and fashion expert on the station’s Good Day L.A. She was on the show for almost two decades, from 1993 to 2012. Barberie’s role on Good Day LA brought her national recognition. Her energetic and engaging style made her a standout, and she became known for her signature blend of humor and charm. Barberie’s success on the show led to other high-profile opportunities, including hosting roles on various entertainment programs and participating in major events.
Barberie also appeared on Fox Sports’ Fox NFL Sunday as its weather host from 2000 to 2005. Working with Fox Sports, Jillian Barberie served as its weather and entertainment reporter in three Super Bowls in 2002, 2005, and 2008. She co-hosted Fox’s 2005 New Year’s Eve special with Regis Philbin. Barberie also co-hosted KTTV’s That’s So Hollywood in 2006 with Mark Thompson. Apart from reporting, she was a contestant on the Fox reality television series Skating with Celebrities in 2006. Interestingly, Jillian Barberie was an ice skater when she was younger. She was partnered with professional skater John Zimmerman on Skating with Celebrities, finishing in second place.
Jillian Barberie hosted the 2009 American Idol Extra, where she interviewed guests and eliminated contestants. In the mid-to-late 2010s, Barberie also worked with 790 KABC as a co-host of its Midday Live program, co-hosting it with John Phillips. Barberie also worked with KTLA, where she hosted the TV station’s short-lived entertainment program, Hollywood Mix.
Jillian Barberie’s Marriages
Jillian Barberie has been married twice. Before her national rise to fame, her first marriage was to former Major League Baseball player Bret Barberie. The marriage lasted for six years, from 1996 to October 2002. The marriage did not produce any children. A year later, in 2003, Barberie announced that she was bisexual. Her other romantic relationships after her divorce were not publicized.
However, she married Grant Reynolds, a Marine sniper turned actor, on July 8, 2006. Jillian Barberie legally changed her name to Jillian Reynolds but chose to use Jillian Barberie as her professional name, which she was already famous with. Barberie’s marriage to Reynolds produced two children, Ruby Raven Reynolds (July 6, 2007) and Rocco Rio Reynolds (January 11, 2010). Barberie and Reynolds, having appeared on Fox Reality Channel’s original series, Househusbands of Hollywood, finalized their divorce on February 14, 2014, after almost eight years of marriage.
Jillian Barberie’s Health Challenges & Personal Struggles
Over four years after her divorce from Grant Reynolds, Jillian Barberie shocked fans and admirers when she announced in November 2018 that she had breast cancer. It wasn’t something anyone could have ever imagined, but Barberie added in her announcement that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. The diagnosis was a turning point in her life, leading her to take a temporary hiatus from her career to focus on her treatment and recovery.
Barberie refused to let the cancer take hold of her life and opted for a double mastectomy within two weeks of the diagnosis. As a public figure, Barberie didn’t cower away but used her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer, sharing her experiences to encourage others to prioritize their health. Her openness about her condition helped demystify the disease and provided support to many who were facing similar challenges.
Over the last few years, Jillian Barberie has been candid and open about her alcohol addictions. She admits she was an addict for most of her successful and famed years. Her breast cancer was a life-altering opportunity for her to get her life back on track. Jillian Barberie has continued to speak freely about her health and personal challenges as a way to help people with any form of addiction and mental health. If you enjoyed reading about Jillian Barberie, here’s everything you need to know about the UK’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
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