Linda Thompson

Linda Thompson has been called a classic “pop culture beauty” -- a status she has achieved, not just because of the remarkable associations she has made - but because of her memorable contributions in the world of music, film and television.

Thompson has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and has won an Emmy Award for writing some of the most recognized songs of our generation. Yet, Thompson’s talents stretch beyond her ability to capture the essence of every emotion in lasting lyrics—she’s also entertained audiences by acting in countless hours of classic television.

Starring alongside her sons, Brandon and Brody Jenner in the 2005 Fox television series “The Princes of Malibu,” Linda played herself… a devoted and loving mother. Although the show featured the exploits of her two sons, viewers get a good glimpse at what a day-in-the-life is like for Linda—a mother, a songwriter, an actress, a former model and an activist—whose sense of style, combined with her Southern charm, has endeared her to audiences and admirers for decades.

Linda has also been a special correspondent for the syndicated television show “Extra” and a contributing writer with her own column for LA Confidential Magazine.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Linda Thompson garnered many "beauty queen" titles during her pageant years. She was Miss Shelby County, Miss Tennessee Universe, Miss Liberty Bowl, Miss Mid South, Miss Memphis State University and too many other titles to mention. But Linda first found herself in the worldwide spotlight when she met her long time companion, Elvis Presley, while she was a theater and English major at Memphis State University. Linda and Elvis lived together at Graceland for nearly five years, until just eight months before his untimely death. Although she rarely grants interviews on the subject, she remembers him with great affection and reverence.

Elvis’s influence encouraged Linda to move to Los Angeles and pursue an acting career. Linda soon became a series regular on the long running country variety hour, "Hee Haw". As an actress, she went on to guest star in dozens of top rated TV shows including; "Beverly Hills 90210", "Vegas", "Fantasy Island”, “Starsky and Hutch" and "Chips." Her film credits include "The Bodyguard" and "Rabbit Test"—and Thompson’s talents were also tapped for several television pilots. She has studied with some of the top drama coaches in the industry, as well as worked with the renowned improvisational comedy troop
“The Groundlings".

During her early years as a working actress in Hollywood, Linda met and later married Olympian, Bruce Jenner. Together they had two sons—Brandon and Brody—whom Linda considers her life’s greatest accomplishment.

In the 1980’s Linda began to successfully add another title to her name—that of songwriter. She has penned some of the most poignant lyrics of the last few decades, sung by some of the biggest stars in the recording industry including; Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Leann Rimes, Michael Buble’, Amy Grant, and many, many more. Linda's lyrics have also been recorded by such diverse artists as The Backstreet Boys, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Aaron Neville, Art Garfunkcle, Patty LaBelle, and even the Russian Red Army Choir.

Thompson’s early songwriting success came with such hit songs as "No Explanation" sung by Peter Cetera for the triple platinum "Pretty Woman" Soundtrack. She soon became a favorite of filmmakers, asked to collaborate onnumerous motion picture soundtracks for blockbusters like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s "Eraser," with Vanessa Williams singing "Where do We Go From Here", and Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime" in which Clint wrote music and Linda the lyric for the Diana Krall hit "Why Should I Care". Perhaps her most memorable motion picture contribution came when she wrote “I Have Nothing,” sung by Whitney Houston on the “Bodyguard” Soundtrack, which has sold more than 30 million copies. Linda was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Grammy for that smash hit!

Thompson’s talents have not gone unnoticed by television producers either, in fact, a number of Linda’s songs have gone on to become television events. Linda wrote the official Olympic theme song "Power of the Dream" which was sung by Celine Dion at the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games, as well as the 2002 Winter Olympics theme song, “Light The Fire Within” sung by Leann Rimes. Award winning David E. Kelly was so moved by Linda’s lyrics that he scripted two episodes of “Ally McBeal” featuring her songs “To Where You Are” and “You’re Still You,” and in 1990, Linda conceptualized an unprecedented mega event by writing the lyrics for the song "Voices That Care" dedicated to the men and women serving in the Gulf War. Thompson mounted the apolitical, strictly humanitarian effort from the kitchen of her Malibu home. In less than one week she had gathered some of the biggest names in music, movies and television to record the song. Kevin Costner, Meryl Streep, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cindy Crawford, Richard Gere and Michael Bolton were just a few of the more than 100 illustrious stars who brought their talents to the record, television special and music video—of which all proceeds were donated to the USO and the International Red Cross. To date, more than one and half million dollars has been raised and donated.

Given to writing inspirational, positive messages in her lyrics, Linda continues to become involved with a variety of worthwhile endeavors. Her Emmy winning anthem for “World Children’s Day” entitled “Aren’t They All Our Children?” can be heard around the globe. A current public service video for Foundation For A Better Life featuring Linda’s song, “Heaven Holds The Ones I Love,” is currently being shown in theatres and on television—and a duet, “Through My Own Eyes” sung by Aaron Cater and Kayla Hinkle, can be heard daily as the theme song for the latest PBS series “Liberty’s Kids.”

Thompson’s songwriting career continues to be red hot with such hits as “You’re Still You” sung by Josh Groban, “Drowning” by the Backstreet Boys and “Tell Him”—the song that created an event when it was recorded as a duet by Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. Her song "Grown Up Christmas List" recorded by Natalie Cole, Amy Grant, Kelly Clarkson, Monica, and Barbra Streisand is on its way to becoming a Christmas classic—and Linda’s version of every mother’s lullaby called “Miracle: Who Could Ever Love You More” sung by Celine Dion, recently garnered critical acclaim as the title track for Celine’s top selling lullaby album.

Linda penned the title track for singing sensation Jackie Ivanko’s album “Dream With Me”! She also just completed writing lyrics for the acclaimed Baz Luhrmann's new Broadway bound musical adapted from his hit movie "Strictly Ballroom". Her "Beautiful Surprise" has been the featured song in Baz's production which opens first in his native Australia.

Linda’s energy and compassion knows few limits, and she extends her time and talents to a wide variety of philanthropic causes. An avid animal lover, Linda served on the board of the Lange Foundation, and is a supporter of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and a member of the American Humane Society. She has been active in a number of other charities including; United Cerebral Palsy Spastic Children's Foundation, The American Diabetes Association, Child Help USA, and The Multiple Sclerosis Society with their annual “Race to Erase MS” event. Linda is also a former board member for the Santa Monica Baykeepers and a strong supporter of Malibu Public Schools, the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation and Pepperdine University Arts Guild. She is a founding member and supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. Mending Kids International is yet another charity which is close to Linda's heart.

Linda is so adamant about "giving back" that she started her very own foundation called the PULSE foundation, an acronym for People Understanding Love Saves Everyone. It is dedicated to those who cannot always help themselves… primarily children, animals and the elderly.

Committed to physical fitness, Linda is an avid tennis player, lifts weights regularly and enjoys all kinds of sports; hiking, jet skiing, water skiing, fishing and snow skiing. She has been featured in a top selling exercise video and an instructional golf video. Linda is a longtime resident of Malibu, where she currently resides with her two dogs.