The Lovely Holly: A One-of-a-Kind Gal

By Jason C. Klose

If you grew up in the late '70s and through the '80s as I did, or even through the first half of the '90s, then you more than likely watched CBS's The Price Is Right on occasion, or as often as you could when home from school during holidays and summer vacation. Did any of you ever pretend to be sick, just so you could stay home and watch the show in the morning? I may have done it once or twice. But did you want to watch it for the games and prizes or to see the beautiful models - or maybe a little of both? I think that many male viewers who watched the show would be willing to admit that they had a crush on at least one of the classic models at one time or another. I most certainly had mine.

My personal favorite is 'The Lovely' Holly Hallstrom (as she was known), the beautiful, charming, perky, blue-eyed redhead and sometimes klutzy 'girl-next-door,' who appeared on The Price Is Right from 1977-1995. A longtime fan favorite, Holly was known for her accidents, mishaps, and blunders on the show, but she was also known for her quirkiness and comedic side, which showed her talent as more than a game show hostess and spokesmodel.

Holly had a fun-loving personality and always seemed genuinely excited and happy for contestants when they would win. She also had a gift for making something out of nothing when showing certain products and prizes, with her lovely smile, cute gestures and facial expressions. Of course, Holly became famous for her bloopers on stage, particularly with kitchen appliances.  

Here is the gorgeous Holly in September 1982 and again in January 1983, having a little trouble with Gibson refrigerators. I imagine Holly may not want to be reminded of this, but I think she's cute and handled it very well. She's so adorable and funny!

Holly had other talents – the mannequins, the mime, the mechanical fortune teller, and so many characters she played in the hilarious showcase skits throughout her nearly two decades on the show. She was always entertaining and so good at her job, and she always looked like she was having a blast! She was a cool, hip, and fun gal, and I imagine she still is!

Here she is in December 1993 playing a mannequin while modeling a sweater, with model Kathleen Bradley. Watch out Kathleen...she bites!

Holly is playing a mechanical fortune teller in this showcase from October 1993. She does this so incredibly well. Such a talented and fun girl!

At 5'11" tall, Holly is an incredibly stunning natural beauty! Her sweet face, amazing smile, and delightful charm always brought a smile to my face and lifted my spirits whenever I needed cheering up. I wish I could've given her a big hug and a kiss! 

Whether she was showing products and modeling prizes or gracing the stage and our TV screens in the showcases, Holly always looked fantastic!

Of course, we can't forget her cute figure in those sexy swimsuits, bikinis and exercise outfits can we?!!

All of the models on The Price Is Right through the years have been very special in their own way, but in my opinion, Holly was the best model the show ever had or ever will have. She was a breath of fresh air, and she is simply a gem in the history of television and always will be. I hope she knows just how dearly loved and missed she still is by her fans - and I am most certainly one of them. 

Holly added something to The Price Is Right that has been missing ever since she was very cruelly and unfairly dismissed by host and executive producer Bob Barker in the summer of 1995, after nearly 19 years on the show. Holly's last episodes aired at the beginning of The Price Is Right's 24th season. Her last appearance on the show was October 27, 1995.

It was first reported that Holly's dismissal was due to weight gain she had experienced from taking a prescription medication. However, Holly later revealed to the press that she was forced into retirement and eventually fired by Barker because she refused to support him in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by former Price model Dian Parkinson in 1994. After receiving angry letters from fans after Holly's dismissal, Barker sued Holly for libel and slander, claiming that she was lying; but he dropped the suit 48 hours before the trial began. The court then declared Holly the prevailing party and ordered Barker to pay her legal fees. In retaliation, Holly countersued Barker for age, weight and medical discrimination, wrongful termination and malicious prosecution.

Lawsuits and litigation lingered on; and after spending all of her resources and savings, having to sell her home, filing for bankruptcy, and even having to live out of her car temporarily, Holly ultimately received a multi-million dollar settlement in October 2005, after a 10-year battle in the courts. Fierce determination, tremendous courage and strength of spirit on her part won out in the end, and for that she has my deepest admiration and respect. Way to go Holly! You are an amazing woman!

To me, Holly is a one-of-a-kind gal! She always possessed a perfect blend of purity, grace and sensuality with every appearance. I thought she was the classiest, sweetest, and most beautiful of the three longest-running models on The Price Is Right (along with Janice Pennington and Dian Parkinson, who were later joined by Kathleen Bradley in 1990), and without a doubt one of the most beautiful women in television history. Even more importantly, Holly always came across to me as a very kind, sincere, intelligent, fun-loving, and down-to-earth person, in various talk show interviews and whenever Barker would talk with the girls on The Price Is Right.

Here are a few chats with the ladies, the first from December 1986 and two from 1987. Holly has such a sweet, bubbly personality!

I grew up watching The Price Is Right as a kid, vaguely remembering it in the late '70s but definitely through the '80s and into the '90s, right up to Holly's last show in 1995. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to be a contestant on The Price Is Right, nor have I ever met Holly. Although I wish I had! 

But I am hoping to speak with Holly in the near future and interview her for a story, which I would like to post here on my blog. It would be even more wonderful to meet Holly in person someday. It would be a thrill, and it's a dream that I hope and pray with all of my heart will come true.

So this my tribute to you Holly. Even though it's been several years since we last saw you on TV, I want you to know that you are very special and will always be remembered for the smiles, laughter and joy you brought to me and so many people. Your inner beauty and humbleness always showed, and you always brightened my day with your charm and by just being yourself. I know, and I'm sure that most people feel the same way, that your career in entertainment was cut short, and that you had so much more to offer us that unfortunately we didn't get a chance to see. You were such a sweetheart and so beautiful inside and out, still are, and always will be. I hope you are doing well and staying safe and healthy. We miss you and we love you! 💖 Peace! ☮

Photo Credit: Jim Hatten

Here are a couple more clips of Holly being adorable as ever, plus another wonderful tribute video of Holly through the years from a fan. 💘