Randy Jernigan

Randy Jernigan (b. September 7, 1961 in El Campo, Texas) is best known as a celebrity journalist, fiction writer, television news writer, and food writer for several national magazines. His first book titled, This Thing Called Love: Love Stories to Gladden the Heart and Warm the Soul, became a cult classic in short fiction. Randy hosted a radio talk show from 1998 to 2000, interviewing celebrities, religious, and political figures. The show aired through 25 U.S. markets.

He was born Randy Edward Jernigan on September 7, 1961, in El Campo, Texas, shortly after the family moved back to their Florida home. His parents were Curtis Edward and Barbara Jean Jernigan of northwest Florida. Randy was raised as an Evangelical Christian. In 1980 Randy converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the urging of then president Spencer W. Kimball. His controversial conversion to the faith caused a much publicized rift between Randy and his staunchly religious family. Randy's grandfather was a minister in the Assemblies of God Church in Century, Florida. In 1996 Randy and his family relocated from Florida to Utah, where the whole family still lives.

Career-wise, Randy claims a best selling book of short fiction, hundreds of published articles in national and international magazines, lecture tours, and a syndicated radio show. In 2007 Randy founded the Writer's Studio of Utah, an organization that educates, publishes, and promotes the talents of writers. In December 2007 Randy announced that he will release an unauthorized biography of singer and actress Marie Osmond and also a series of cookbooks, and is working on an hour-long drama series for a cable network. Besides his freelance writing career, Randy is employed by the State of Utah.