Dorothy Kilgallen Biography

Fast Facts

• Died at her home, apparently from a combination of alcohol and barbiturates, while reading in her bed
• Started her career as a journalist in 1931, following in the footsteps of her reporter father James L․ Kilgallen
• Gained wide fame as one of the two female panelists on the quiz show "What's My Line?"
• Started her radio career in 1941, first with the "Voice of Broadway" series and later with "Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick․"
• Covered such news stories as the coronation of George VI, the Hauptmann trial, Franklin D․ Roosevelt's first campaign, Harry S․ Truman's nomination for president, the murder trial of Dr․ Sam Shepard and the Jack Ruby trial
• A fictionalized version of herself appeared in the 2012 comic novel "Nick and Jake․"
• Did not recognize the fireman who once extinguished a fire in her apartment when he later appeared on a telecast of "What's My Line?"
• Inspired the character of columnist Daisy Kilgranite that appeared in an episode of "The Flintstones․"