Nina Blackwood, born September 12, 1955, is a famous American disc jockey and music journalist. She held the distinction of being the initial member among the original five MTV VJs, which also included Mark Goodman, J. J. Jackson, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn. She has pursued careers in acting and modeling as well.
Profile Summary
Full Name: | Nina Blackwood |
Date of Birth: | September 12, 1955 |
Place of Birth: | Springfield, Massachusetts |
Nationality: | American |
Occupation: | DJ |
Net Worth: | $500,000 |
Husband: | Not Married |
Early Life and Education
Nina Kinckiner, who later adopted the name Blackwood, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Her father worked in government service and taught Sunday school, although he was never a minister, despite occasional reports to the contrary.
She spent her formative years on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio, and completed her education at Rocky River High School, where she graduated in 1970.
During her high school years, she was actively involved in music, singing, and playing keyboards in her high school sweetheart’s band, even covering the song “Venus.”
Career
Prior to pursuing a career in broadcasting, Blackwood made a noteworthy appearance in the August 1978 Playboy pictorial titled “The Girls in the Office,” where she was featured as a brunette.
Afterward, she relocated to California and underwent acting training at the Strasberg Institute.
Blackwood ventured into acting and made notable appearances in various TV shows and films, including roles in movies like “Vice Squad” (1982), “Reckless Kelly” (1993), and “I Crave Rock & Roll” (1996).
In 1981, she was selected as one of MTV’s original video jockeys, alongside Martha Quinn, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and J. J. Jackson, marking the network’s debut.
Following her tenure at MTV, which concluded in 1986, she hosted her own segment called “Rock Report” for Entertainment Tonight. She also made appearances on the TV music program Solid Gold from 1986 to 1988.
Additionally, Blackwood has been featured on various television networks, including A Current Affair, Access Hollywood, VH1, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and MSNBC.
In 1999, Blackwood, in collaboration with her long-time manager/producer Danny Sheridan, launched a nationally syndicated radio show titled “Nina Blackwood’s Absolutely 80’s” through the United Stations Radio Network.
They later introduced another nationally syndicated program, “Nina Blackwood’s New Wave Nation,” with a focus on 80’s alternative music (note: this program was no longer in production as of 2014).
Presently, Blackwood hosts a weekday show on Sirius XM Radio called “The 80s on 8” from 11 to 2 Eastern. On weekends, she co-hosts “The Big ’80s Top 40 Countdown” on Sirius XM Radio alongside other original MTV VJs.
Outside of her media career, Blackwood also performed as part of the 2003 touring company of “The Vagina Monologues.”
Nina Blackwood Net Worth
To date, Nina Blackwood has accumulated approximately $500,000 in earnings, having starred in several films.
Nina Blackwood’s Husband
Blackwood, who had a short-lived marriage with Dennis and is without children, currently resides on a farm located in coastal Maine.
Being a devoted animal enthusiast, her farm serves as an animal sanctuary, providing a home to a diverse array of creatures, including dogs, cats, birds, horses, and more.