13 TV Hosts from the Past You Completely Forgot About
These 13 former TV hosts were once familiar faces but have faded from the spotlight over time.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
TV hosts often become household names, but not all maintain their fame. Some once had major roles on popular shows but eventually disappeared from public view. These 13 former hosts were once well-known but are now largely forgotten by today’s audiences.
1. Arsenio Hall
Alan Light on Wikimedia Commons
Arsenio Hall gained fame in the early 1990s with The Arsenio Hall Show, a late-night talk show that attracted top celebrities and high ratings. His style was energetic and fresh, appealing to a younger audience. The show ended in 1994, and though he briefly returned to TV, he never regained the same level of fame. Many younger viewers today don’t remember how popular he once was.
2. Daisy Fuentes
Neon Tommy on Wikimedia Commons
Daisy Fuentes was a major presence on MTV during the 1990s. She hosted shows like House of Style and was one of the network’s most recognizable faces. She also worked on several other entertainment shows but slowly stepped out of the spotlight. Today, she focuses more on business and personal projects.
3. Chuck Woolery
Robert Rasmussen on Wikimedia Commons
Chuck Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune and later Love Connection. His calm, friendly manner made him a TV fixture for decades. Over time, he moved away from mainstream hosting and became involved in political commentary. As a result, his presence in entertainment media declined.
4. Ananda Lewis
lukeford.net on Wikimedia Commons
Ananda Lewis hosted Teen Summit and later The Ananda Lewis Show in the early 2000s. She was once seen as a rising voice in daytime TV. Despite her talent and following, her talk show ended after one season. She later worked in different fields, including carpentry and wellness, away from the camera.
5. Kennedy (Lisa Kennedy Montgomery)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Kennedy became known as a VJ on MTV in the 1990s, where her personality stood out. She was a popular figure during the network’s most influential years. Although she later worked in political media, she became less visible in pop culture. Many now forget her MTV roots.
6. A.J. Hammer
Fry1989 on Wikimedia Commons
A.J. Hammer hosted Showbiz Tonight on HLN, covering celebrity news and entertainment. He was a regular face on television during the early 2000s. The show was eventually canceled, and he left HLN in 2014. Since then, he has remained mostly out of the spotlight.
7. Rolonda Watts
eternalconceptspr on Wikimedia Commons
Rolonda Watts had her own daytime talk show, Rolonda, which aired from 1994 to 1997. She also worked as a news anchor and voice actress. Despite her wide range of work, her presence on TV faded over time. Her name is rarely mentioned today, even among talk show fans.
8. Steve Edwards
Photo by Sgt. Mikki Sprenkle on Wikimedia Commons
Steve Edwards was a longtime host of Good Day L.A. and other local programs in Los Angeles. He had a strong presence on regional television for years. After leaving the station in 2017, he stepped back from broadcasting. Outside of Southern California, few remember his long media career.
9. Caroline Rhea
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Caroline Rhea took over The Rosie O’Donnell Show in 2002 and also hosted The Biggest Loser in its early years. Her hosting roles showed her talent beyond acting. Over time, she returned mainly to stand-up and acting in smaller projects. Her days as a talk show host are often forgotten.
10. Mark Summers
Schnaah on Wikimedia Commons
Mark Summers was the host of Nickelodeon’s Double Dare, one of the most popular kids’ shows of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He later worked on the Food Network, including Unwrapped. Although he had a strong television career, younger viewers often don’t know his name. His early influence on children’s TV has faded from memory.
11. Tempestt Bledsoe
Carsey-Werner Television on Wikimedia Commons
Known for The Cosby Show, Tempestt Bledsoe also hosted The Tempestt Bledsoe Show, a short-lived daytime talk program in 1995. The show lasted only one season, despite her popularity as a sitcom actress. She continued acting but did not return to hosting. The talk show is now mostly forgotten.
12. John McEnroe
Eurosport on Wikimedia Commons
Former tennis star John McEnroe hosted a short-lived talk show on CNBC in 2004. The show received poor reviews and low ratings. It was canceled quickly, and McEnroe returned to sports commentary. His time as a host is rarely mentioned today.
13. Rosie Perez
Joella Marano on Wikimedia Commons
In 2014, Rosie Perez became a co-host on The View but stayed for just one season. While known for her acting, her time as a talk show host was brief and marked by mixed feedback. She left the show quietly and returned to film and theater work. Her short-lived role is often overlooked.