History of Nancy Grace in Timeline
Nancy Grace is an American legal commentator and television journalist best known for hosting the HLN program 'Nancy Grace' (2005-2016), where she covered celebrity news and current affairs with a strong focus on crime. Before HLN, she hosted 'Closing Arguments' on Court TV (1996-2007). Grace's career is characterized by her outspoken and often controversial style, particularly regarding criminal justice. She co-authored 'Objection!' criticizing aspects of the criminal justice system and also served as the arbiter on 'Swift Justice with Nancy Grace' during its first season.
October 23, 1959: Nancy Grace Born
On October 23, 1959, Nancy Ann Grace was born. She later became a legal commentator and television journalist.
1977: Graduation from Windsor Academy
In 1977, Nancy Grace graduated from Macon's Windsor Academy.
1979: Murder of Nancy Grace's Fiance
In 1979, Nancy Grace's college fiancé was murdered, a tragedy she often references as the impetus for her career.
1994: Reprimanded by Supreme Court of Georgia
In 1994, Nancy Grace was reprimanded by the Supreme Court of Georgia for withholding exculpatory evidence in an arson and murder case.
1996: Joined Court TV
In 1996, Nancy Grace joined Court TV to do a legal commentary show.
2004: Began Hosting Closing Arguments
In 2004, Nancy Grace began hosting "Closing Arguments" on Court TV.
May 21, 2005: Amy Poehler voices Nancy Grace on Saturday Night Live
On May 21, 2005, Amy Poehler voiced Nancy Grace as part of Saturday Night Live's Saturday TV Funhouse segment in a Divertor sketch where Grace says '[Name of celebrity in question] should fry.'
2005: Nancy Grace show began
In 2005, Nancy Grace began hosting "Nancy Grace", a nightly celebrity news and current affairs show on HLN.
2005: Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys Published
In 2005, Nancy Grace's first book, Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System, was published by Hyperion and became a New York Times bestseller.
2005: Beginning of Nancy Grace Show
Since her show began in 2005, Nancy Grace has been criticized for her handling of the presumption of innocence.
March 2006: New York Observer Article on Nancy Grace's Book
In March 2006, the New York Observer published an article suggesting Nancy Grace embellished the story of her college fiancé's murder in 1979 in her book Objection! to support her image.
November 21, 2006: The Smoking Gun exposed pending litigation
On November 21, 2006, The Smoking Gun exposed pending litigation on behalf of the estate of Melinda Duckett against CNN and Nancy Grace, asserting a wrongful death claim.
December 5, 2006: Tommy McCoy Released on Parole
On December 5, 2006, Tommy McCoy, Griffin's murderer, was released on parole from the Georgia Department of Corrections after serving time for aggravated assault and murder.
March 2007: Nancy Grace Responds to Keith Olbermann
In March 2007, Nancy Grace responded to Keith Olbermann's claims in a Rolling Stone interview about embellishing the story of her fiancé's murder, stating she wouldn't waste time on a "war of words" with him.
April 2007: Nancy Grace Marries David Linch
In April 2007, Nancy Grace married David Linch, an Atlanta investment banker, in a private ceremony. They had met while she was a student at Mercer University in the 1970s.
May 22, 2007: Nancy Grace Appears in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
On May 22, 2007, Nancy Grace appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Screwed", playing herself opposite Star Jones.
June 19, 2007: Last show on Court TV
On June 19, 2007, Nancy Grace did her last show on Court TV.
June 26, 2007: Nancy Grace Announces Pregnancy
On June 26, 2007, Nancy Grace announced on her HLN talk show that she was pregnant with twins, who were expected in January 2008.
November 2007: Nancy Grace Gives Birth to Twins
In November 2007, Nancy Grace gave birth to twins Lucy Elizabeth and John David.
2007: Left Court TV
In 2007, Nancy Grace left Court TV's "Closing Arguments".
January 2008: Nancy Grace's Twins Due
In January 2008, Nancy Grace's twins were due. She had announced the pregnancy on her HLN talk show in June 2007.
2008: Coverage of Caylee Anthony case began
From 2008, the Caylee Anthony disappearance and the prosecution, trial, and acquittal of her mother Casey Anthony on charges of murder of the child were a regular feature of the Nancy Grace show.
August 11, 2009: The Eleventh Victim Book Release
On August 11, 2009, Nancy Grace's first fiction book, The Eleventh Victim, was released. Published by Hyperion, the book is a mystery thriller about Hailey Dean.
August 10, 2010: Death on the D-List Book Release
On August 10, 2010, Nancy Grace's third New York Times bestselling novel, Death on the D-List, was published by Hyperion.
September 13, 2010: Premiere of Swift Justice with Nancy Grace
On September 13, 2010, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace premiered.
November 8, 2010: Settlement in Melinda Duckett Case
On November 8, 2010, Nancy Grace reached a settlement with the estate of Melinda Duckett to create a $200,000 trust fund dedicated to locating Trenton.
May 2011: Grace Left Swift Justice
In May 2011, Nancy Grace left the show "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace" due to productions moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
July 5, 2011: Highest ratings for Nancy Grace show
On July 5, 2011, after the Casey Anthony verdict, Nancy Grace's show on HLN had its highest ratings ever in the 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. hour slots.
September 2011: Judge Jackie Glass took over Swift Justice
In September 2011, Judge Jackie Glass took over Nancy Grace's place on "Swift Justice".
September 19, 2011: Dancing with the Stars Premiere
On September 19, 2011, Nancy Grace debuted as a contestant on the thirteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Tristan MacManus.
November 8, 2011: Nancy Grace Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On November 8, 2011, Nancy Grace and her partner were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, placing 5th overall in the competition.
November 22, 2011: Medrano Killed Son Accidentally
On November 22, 2011, Toni Annette Medrano accidentally killed her 3-week-old son, Adrian Alexander Medrano, while she was sleeping on the couch with him after consuming a large amount of vodka.
2011: Criticism in The New York Times
In 2011, David Carr criticized Nancy Grace in a New York Times article for her handling of various cases.
2011: Continued Coverage of Caylee Anthony Case
Until 2011, the Caylee Anthony disappearance and the prosecution, trial, and acquittal of her mother Casey Anthony on charges of murder of the child were a regular feature of the Nancy Grace show.
January 4, 2012: Medrano Family Settles Lawsuit Against CNN
On January 4, 2012, a lawsuit against CNN brought by the family of Medrano, who committed suicide after a segment on Nancy Grace's show, was settled through negotiation, as announced by their personal injury attorney Michael Padden.
April 2012: Nancy Grace Appears on Raising Hope
In April 2012, Nancy Grace appeared as herself in the last two episodes of the second season of the TV show Raising Hope.
June 6, 2012: Medrano charged with manslaughter
On June 6, 2012, Toni Annette Medrano was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter.
2012: Swift Justice ceased production
In 2012, Swift Justice ceased production.
January 6, 2013: Nancy Grace Interview on CNN's News Room
On January 6, 2013, Nancy Grace conducted an interview with Brooke Baldwin on CNN's News Room. Much of her dialogue from the sketch was lifted directly from an interview she conducted on January 6, 2013, with Brooke Baldwin on CNN's News Room, in particular the phrase 'I've got a sneaking suspicion that you are pro-pot. And I don't like it.'
January 6, 2014: Controversy over recreational marijuana depiction
On January 6, 2014, Nancy Grace ignited controversy for her negative depiction of recreational marijuana users during a segment covering legalization in Colorado on CNN with Brooke Baldwin.
January 2014: Controversy over recreational marijuana users
In January 2014, Nancy Grace sparked controversy for her wildly negative depiction of recreational marijuana users.
April 8, 2014: Nancy Grace Discusses Ultimate Warrior's Death
On April 8, 2014, following the death of WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior, Nancy Grace discussed deaths in wrestling caused by steroids. Despite the autopsy concluding that The Ultimate Warrior died of natural causes, Nancy Grace mentioned rumors of steroid and drug use and linked the deaths of other wrestlers to drug abuse.
2014: Ellen Abbot Character in Gone Girl Based on Nancy Grace
In 2014, the character of Ellen Abbot in the film Gone Girl was acknowledged to be based on Nancy Grace. Grace stated she was "very flattered".
October 11, 2016: Guest on The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show
On October 11, 2016, Nancy Grace was a guest on "The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show", where she was accused of capitalizing on others' tragedies and addressed her handling of controversial cases.
October 13, 2016: Last show hosted by Grace
On October 13, 2016, Nancy Grace hosted her last show at the end of her contract.
2016: End of Nancy Grace show
In 2016, Nancy Grace ended her nightly celebrity news and current affairs show "Nancy Grace" on HLN.
2016: Murder in the Courthouse Book Release
In 2016, Nancy Grace's book, Murder in the Courthouse, was published by BenBella Books.
January 10, 2017: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace Podcast Launch
On January 10, 2017, Nancy Grace began hosting a daily podcast on Crime Online called "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace."
June 2017: Nancy Grace's Reading by Tyler Henry on Hollywood Medium
In June 2017, Nancy Grace had a reading by psychic medium Tyler Henry on his E! TV show, Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry, where she believed he communicated with her deceased father and fiancé, providing her with closure.
April 2018: Susan Gerbic Analyzes Nancy Grace's Reading
In April 2018, Susan Gerbic analyzed Nancy Grace's reading by Tyler Henry, detailing how Grace was fooled by cold reading and hot reading techniques.
July 13, 2019: Injustice with Nancy Grace premiered
On July 13, 2019, "Injustice with Nancy Grace", a true crime series hosted by Nancy Grace, began on Oxygen TV channel.
July 14, 2019: The Retreat Archived
The Retreat was archived on July 14, 2019.
2023: Honorary Doctorate
In 2023, Nancy Grace was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Jacksonville State University.
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