Janice Pennington

Short Biography

Janice Marie Pennington (born July 8, 1942) was one of the original "Barker's Beauties" models on The Price Is Right, serving as the show's longest-running model, from 1972 to 2000. She was also Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the May 1971 issue. She is the older sister of fellow model Ann Pennington. Pennington is also the co-founder of the Hollywood Film Festival.Personal LifePennington was born in Seattle, Washington. She has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Glenn Jacobson, second to German mountain climber Friedrich "Fritz" Stammberger, who disappeared in Afghanistan in 1975 while mountain climbing.After years of searching, she finally discovered that Fritz was actually helping the CIA establish mountain bases along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and had died during a battle with USSR forces. In 1984, she married writer Carlos de Abreu, a native of MozambiqueThe Price is RightFor 28 years Pennington served as a model on The Price Is Right, handing the microphone to Bob Barker at the start of more than 6, 000 shows. She also handed off to Dennis James and Tom Kennedy while the show was in syndication between 1972 and 1986.In June 1988, a camera hit Pennington and she fell off the stage. She was unconscious and was taken to a hospital; taping of the episode resumed after 45 minutes. Pennington's resulting surgery left her with scars and one shoulder shorter than the other, so she could no longer wear swimsuits on the show.When Pearson Television took over the show October 19, 2000, Pennington's employment ended following taping of the December 13 episode. She signed a confidential settlement agreement.