Kevin Frazier
Kevin Frazier – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Discover the life and career of Kevin Frazier, the acclaimed American journalist and television host. Learn about his early years, major achievements, famous quotes, and enduring legacy in entertainment journalism.
Introduction
Kevin Frazier (born May 20, 1964) is an American journalist and television personality best known as a co-host of Entertainment Tonight. Over the years, he has evolved from sports broadcasting into one of the entertainment world’s trusted voices. His story is one of reinvention, persistence, and bridging the worlds of sports and celebrity reporting. Today, Frazier remains a prominent figure in entertainment news, combining journalistic integrity with charisma, and his work continues to influence aspiring media professionals.
Early Life and Family
Kevin Timothy Frazier was born on May 20, 1964.
Family details are more private. Some accounts name his parents as Alice Frazier (mother) and Nathaniel (or Nat) Frazier (father), with his father having a background in basketball coaching—though these details vary in the sources. Frazier’s upbringing in a sports-rich environment would later feed into his early broadcasting ambitions.
Youth and Education
From a young age, Kevin Frazier exhibited interests in both sports and communication. He enrolled in Morgan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications (in 1989) after an earlier period at Hampton University.
His formal education in communications laid the foundation for a career in broadcasting, while his experience with sports, media, and interpersonal engagement prepared him for the dynamic environments of TV journalism.
Career and Achievements
Early Broadcasting: Sports & Local News
Kevin Frazier’s first significant media role was as a news and sports reporter and photographer at WCBD-TV in Charleston, South Carolina.
By 1995, Frazier joined Fox’s national sports coverage. He anchored the inaugural broadcast of Fox Sports News (later National Sports Report) and remained there until its cancellation around 2002. College Football Saturday and contributed to various football and basketball broadcasts.
He shifted to ESPN, where he hosted SportsCenter, NBA Shootaround, NBA Fastbreak, and other NBA-related programming.
Transition to Entertainment Journalism
In 2004, Frazier made a bold transition away from pure sports into entertainment news, joining Entertainment Tonight as a correspondent and weekend anchor.
Between 2011 and 2014, Frazier co-hosted The Insider, later returning to ET as co-host. Entertainment Tonight, a role he continues in 2025.
Beyond ET, Frazier has lent his talents to various programs:
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He was host of Game Changers with Kevin Frazier, profiling athletes who give back to their communities.
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He co-hosted Clash of the Commercials on CBS.
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He anchored College Football on FX and Fox Sports Net and was involved in launching Time Warner’s SportsNet.
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Since 2011, he has also been part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts on CBS.
In 2024, Frazier expanded his creative and entrepreneurial ventures by launching Sepi, a platform aimed at connecting travelers to curated Black cultural experiences and elevating underrepresented communities in travel.
He also founded The Insider.
Awards and Recognition
Kevin Frazier’s on-screen work and editorial leadership have been acknowledged with multiple Emmy Awards. ET co-hosts won the first Daytime Emmy for Personality–Daily.
His credibility, versatility, and consistent presence in entertainment journalism make him one of the medium’s enduring figures.
Historical Milestones & Context
Kevin Frazier’s career spans several shifts in broadcast media and entertainment journalism. Some key contextual themes and milestones:
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Bridging sports and entertainment journalism: Frazier’s early career in sports provided him with technical broadcasting skills and a comfort with live commentary and personalities. His transition into entertainment journalism was emblematic of a trend in the 2000s where personalities moved fluidly between sports, celebrity culture, and pop culture reporting.
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Rise of celebrity news and infotainment: During Frazier’s tenure, entertainment news shows such as ET grew in influence, aided by the rise of 24/7 gossip, red carpet coverage, online video, and social media.
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Digital media entrepreneurship: By founding HipHollywood, Frazier was early among high-profile on-air journalists to stake a claim in digital content creation, not just as a conduit for interviews, but as a publisher in his own right.
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Cultural representation: As an African American journalist and host in a space often dominated by mainstream, legacy networks, Frazier’s presence and leadership add significance for representation in entertainment media. His initiatives like Sepi reflect growing efforts to spotlight cultural diversity, particularly in travel and lifestyle media.
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Evolving media landscape: Through his career, Frazier has adapted to shifts from linear television to digital platforms, streaming, social video, and cross-platform publishing.
Legacy and Influence
Kevin Frazier’s legacy is multifaceted:
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Versatility and adaptability: He demonstrated that a broadcaster can move between genres (sports → entertainment) while retaining credibility and audience trust.
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Entrepreneurial vision: His work as a media entrepreneur (HipHollywood, Sepi) positions him not just as a host but as a content creator and platform developer.
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Mentorship and representation: His success and visibility pave a path for underrepresented journalists of color to imagine roles beyond niche beats. Frazier has participated in speaking, mentorship, and community engagements, especially in the Los Angeles area.
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Consistency in the public eye: His multi-decade presence on Entertainment Tonight and other nationally broadcast programming ensures his influence on public discourse around celebrity culture and entertainment journalism.
Personality and Talents
Kevin Frazier is often praised for his magnetic on-camera presence, smooth delivery, and ability to draw out compelling narratives from interviewees. His comfort moving between formal journalist and informal host roles gives him a flexibility of tone.
His strengths include:
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Relational interviewing: He brings warmth and professionalism to celebrity interviews, allowing guests to open up.
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Broad subject competence: From sports to entertainment to cultural issues, Frazier commands a range of topics credibly.
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Entrepreneurial mindset: His willingness to innovate beyond on-screen roles evidences a broader vision for media.
Famous Quotes of Kevin Frazier
While Frazier is more known for interviews than published aphorisms, a few remarks reflect his philosophy and perspective:
“It’s all the same. Actors are big stars. Athletes are big stars. It’s a difference only in the vocabulary.”
This captures how Frazier sees continuity between sports and entertainment reporting.
“I know that there are 82 times a year I can talk to Shaquille O’Neal and he has no choice. There are not 82 times a year where I get a shot at Brad Pitt.”
This humorous observation underscores the challenges and dynamics of celebrity access versus athlete access.
Because much of his media presence is through interviews rather than authored works, many of his "quotes" emerge in conversations with others rather than in published essays.
Lessons from Kevin Frazier
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Adaptability is key
Frazier’s willingness to pivot from sports to entertainment shows the importance of being open to new opportunities. -
Build your own platform
Rather than remain only an on-screen talent, Frazier created HipHollywood and later Sepi, which gave him ownership and control over content. -
Bridge worlds with authenticity
His ability to relate to both athletes and entertainers demonstrates how crossover credibility can expand one’s reach. -
Stay visible, stay consistent
Few media careers last decades; Frazier’s consistency is a marker of sustained relevance. -
Representation matters
His presence as an African American host and entrepreneur shows how visibility can inspire and shift industry norms.
Conclusion
Kevin Frazier’s journey from sports reporter to entertainment host and media entrepreneur reflects a professional arc defined by versatility, ambition, and cultural relevance. His work on Entertainment Tonight, as well as his initiatives like HipHollywood and Sepi, continues to influence how audiences engage with celebrity culture and representation. For those interested in the life and career of Kevin Frazier, the lessons are many: embrace change, own your narrative, and build platforms that reflect your values. Explore his interviews, media projects, and public messages to gain further insight into his impact and legacy.