If you grew up in Southern California, or if you were just the type of person who woke up early every New Year’s Day to see the flower-covered floats, you know her voice. It’s warm. It’s steady. It feels like home. Stephanie Edwards isn’t just a "television personality" in the way we think of influencers today. She’s an institution.
For decades, she and Bob Eubanks were the faces of the Tournament of Roses Parade on KTLA. They were the "meat and potatoes" of New Year’s morning. But her story is actually a lot weirder and more resilient than just reading off a teleprompter about chrysanthemums.
The Breakthrough Most People Forget
Before she was the queen of the Rose Parade, Stephanie Edwards was actually a bit of a trailblazer in national morning news. Most folks don't realize she was the co-host of AM America. That was the show ABC launched in 1975 to compete with the Today show. It was basically the direct ancestor of Good Morning America.
She worked alongside Bill Beutel, but honestly, the New York TV scene wasn't her vibe. She’s a Kenyon, Minnesota girl who found her rhythm in Los Angeles. She eventually left the national stage, which some people at the time thought was career suicide. It wasn't. It was just a pivot back to what she loved: local, connected broadcasting.
She ended up back in LA, co-hosting AM Los Angeles with Ralph Story. That’s where the magic really started. Ralph Story was a legend, and he told her something that changed her life. He basically told her she should "talk for a living." Simple advice, right? But it stuck.
That Infamous 2006 Rose Parade Incident
We have to talk about the rain. If you want to know why fans love Stephanie Edwards so much, look at what happened in 2006.
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After 28 years of co-hosting the parade from the dry, warm booth, KTLA management decided they wanted a "fresher" look. They brought in Michaela Pereira to sit with Bob Eubanks and moved Stephanie to the street.
It was a PR disaster.
To make matters worse, it poured. There she was, a veteran broadcaster and an icon of the event, standing out in the freezing rain with a clear plastic poncho, doing short "on-the-street" segments while the "new team" sat in the booth. Fans were livid. They saw it as blatant ageism. You’ve probably seen the angry letters from that era—viewers felt like they’d seen a family member get kicked out of the house.
It took three years, but the station finally realized they’d messed up. In 2009, she was invited back to the booth. Seeing her back with Bob was like the world finally tilted back onto its correct axis. They stayed there together until their final retirement in 2016.
More Than Just Floats and Flowers
Stephanie’s career wasn't just about January 1st. She was a working actress, too. You can spot her in old episodes of Marcus Welby, M.D., Love, American Style, and even the 1980 film The Formula.
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And then there were the Lucky Stores commercials.
For 18 years, she was the face of the supermarket chain. She wasn't playing a character; she was just "Stephanie." That’s her superpower. Whether she was talking about a prize-winning float or the price of milk, she felt authentic. In an industry that often rewards "fake," she was stubbornly real.
Why her legacy sticks:
- Resilience: She handled the 2006 "demotion" with more grace than most of us would.
- Chemistry: Her banter with Bob Eubanks was legendary because it felt like a real friendship—complete with the occasional "shut up, Bob" energy.
- Longevity: She proved that viewers value familiarity and expertise over "shiny and new."
What We Can Learn From Her Career
Stephanie Edwards’ career is a masterclass in staying power. She didn't let a "demotion" define her. She didn't let the national stage in New York change her personality. She knew her audience, and more importantly, she knew herself.
Honestly, in an era where everyone is trying to go viral for fifteen minutes, there’s something deeply cool about someone who was a staple of people's lives for fifty years. She showed that being a "personality" isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about being the person people want to invite into their living rooms.
If you’re looking to capture some of that Stephanie Edwards energy in your own life or career, here is how you do it:
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Value the long game. Don't stress if you aren't the "it" person this year. Stephanie was a "meat and potatoes" broadcaster who outlasted dozens of "it" people because she was consistent.
Build real relationships. Her chemistry with Ralph Story and Bob Eubanks wasn't manufactured. Find your "booth partner" in whatever work you do.
Handle the "rain" with grace. When you get moved from the booth to the street, put on the poncho and do the job anyway. People notice how you handle the setbacks more than how you handle the wins.
Stay authentic to your roots. She never tried to be a "New York News Anchor." She remained a Minnesota-born, LA-loving conversationalist. That’s why we still remember her.