Jeanne Robertson

Jeanne Swanner was raised in Graham, North Carolina,[3][2] one of three daughters. Not only was she taller than sisters Katherine and Andrea,[4] she was also especially tall as a youth, growing to 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) by age 13 and in seventh grade.[4] She was an avid basketball player.[2]

In 1963, at age 19, she was named Miss North Carolina[5] and went on to be named Miss Congeniality in that year's Miss America competition.[6][2] Robertson credits her reign as the catalyst for her career.[7][8]

Following her Miss North Carolina reign, Robertson used the scholarship funds to fund her college education at Auburn University, where she majored in physical education, joined Alpha Gamma Delta,[9] and played on its basketball team,[2] graduating in 1967.[10] In 1990 she was inducted as an alumni member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle at Auburn University.

Robertson taught physical education for eight years in North Carolina.[11]

Although she began her public speaking career with her pageant title, Robertson has achieved much more national attention as a humorist and speaker. Her anecdotes have been broadcast regularly on satellite radio comedy channels, including XM Radio's Laugh USA, Sirius Radio's Blue Collar Comedy and its Family Comedy Channel,[10][2] and Laugh Break. Her popularity soared, however, in 2009 after a handful of humorous clips from her talks became popular videos.[8][2] Robertson distinguishes between a humorist, which she considers herself, and a comedian, stating, "The humorist weaves the longer stories with a point. We don't go 'after' anybody. I'm telling my life."[6]

In 1980 she was designated a Certified Speaking Professional by the National Speakers Association, and served as the association's president in 1985.[10] She is also an award-winning Toastmaster.[2]

On April 29, 2008, she spoke at the White House for National Volunteer Week to honor the 1,300 volunteers who donate time to work at the White House.[10]

• National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame (inducted in 1981)[10]
• National Speakers Association Cavett Award (1989); first woman to receive the award[10]
• Omicron Delta Kappa (inducted in 1990 as an alumna at Auburn University)
• Toastmasters International Golden Gavel Award (1998)[10]
• North Carolina Press Association North Carolinian of the Year (2001)[10]

Graham Historical Museum in her hometown, Graham, North Carolina, features a permanent exhibit, Jeanne Swanner Robertson.[12]

Jeanne is married to Jerry Robertson,[13] a graduate of Duke University (where, at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall[13] and on an athletic scholarship,[14] he played on its basketball team, eventually as its captain).[2] He received his master's degree and doctorate at the University of North Carolina[14] and was an educator and eventually superintendent of the Alamance County School System.[2] In her performances, Jeanne calls him "Left Brain".[13] She has a son from her first marriage, Bailey "Beaver" Bowline,[10] who is 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) tall.[1] Beaver is a 1989 graduate of Elon University, where Jeanne is a trustee.[10] His wife Dayna and he have two sons, Ryder and Gray.[1]

Jeanne and Jerry Robertson are both members of Elon University's Phoenix Club, which supports the athletic program.[10] Jeanne is Methodist.[15]

She has claimed her favorite television series is The Andy Griffith Show.[3] Her Mayberry Humor Across the USA furthers her connection to Griffith's show. The book title refers to the fictitious town of Mayberry, the town which is the setting of Griffith's show. Mayberry is said to be based on Mount Airy, NC, Griffith's home town.

Robertson has authored four books:[2]

• Humor: The Magic of Genie: Seven Potions for Developing a Sense of Humor (1989) Rich Publishing Company, ISBN 9780960725694
• Mayberry Humor Across the USA (1995) Rich Publishing Company, ISBN 9780927577021
• Don't Let the Funny Stuff Get Away (1998) Rich Publishing Company, ISBN 9780927577038
• Don't Bungee Jump Naked And Other Important Stuff (2020) Jeanne Robertson, ISBN 9780578668611

Robertson's performances have been recorded on both DVD and CD. She currently has nine titles available.[16] Many outtakes from her performances are also available on YouTube.

• Rocking Humor
• Fabulously Funny
• Looking for Humor
• Just for Fun
• Flat Out Funny
• Southern Style
• Talkin' Funny
• Not Just for Laughs
• Here She Is

• Official website