Shawn Ora Southwick (née Engemann) was born on 5 November 1959 in Studio City, Los Angeles. She is the daughter of Karl and Jerri Engemann. Sources report that she grew up in the North Hollywood/Studio City area of California.
Her family was deeply involved in music. Her father, Karl Engemann, was a record‐industry executive (a vice president of A&R at Capitol Records and long‐time manager of singer Marie Osmond), and her mother, Jerri, was a professional singer (performing with groups like the Ray Conniff Singers and recording for artists such as Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan). Shawn has at least two siblings. One sister, Shannon Engemann, is also a singer, and a brother, Bret Engemann, played quarterback for Brigham Young University’s football team.
From a very young age Shawn Southwick was exposed to performance. By age three she was already singing on records and in commercials for well-known artists. As a child she “sang in the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television film” and had a solo in a Nat King Cole Christmas special. At three years old she was recording backing vocals and singing lead on various commercials.
Southwick attended North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles (graduating in 1977) and later went on to study at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shawn Ora Southwick King (née Engemann) |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1959 |
| Birthplace | Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Television Host, Actress, Singer, Producer |
| Early Exposure | Began performing at age three in commercials and recordings |
| Education | North Hollywood High School; Brigham Young University (BYU) |
| Family Background | Raised in a music-oriented family with industry connections |
| Father | Karl Engemann, record executive at Capitol Records |
| Mother | Jerri Engemann, professional singer who worked with major artists |
| Siblings | Includes singer Shannon Engemann and athlete Bret Engemann |
| Acting Career | Appeared in TV shows like Knight Rider and Remington Steele |
| Hosting Career | Co-host of Hollywood Insider (1990–1996) on USA Network |
| Music Career | Released album In My Own Backyard in 2005 |
| Production Work | Executive producer and actress in Christmas Eve (2015) |
| Business Venture | Co-founder of Ora TV (Ora Media) in 2012 |
| Notable Projects | Larry King Now and PoliticKING (digital talk shows) |
| Career Transition | Shifted from on-screen roles to media production and leadership |
| Current Role | Continues involvement with Ora Media operations and content |
| Net Worth Status | Shawn Southwick Net Worth is not publicly disclosed or verified |
| Income Sources | Earnings from TV hosting, acting, music, and media production |
| Industry Impact | Helped transition traditional talk shows into digital platforms |
| Media Presence | Recognized figure in entertainment journalism and digital media |
| Years Active | Active in media and entertainment since childhood |
Early Career Moves in Television and Entertainment
Shawn Southwick King began her professional journey in the entertainment industry with on-screen roles in scripted television. In the 1980s and early 1990s she appeared as an actress on a number of network shows.
Press reports note that she “made guest appearances in myriad TV shows” during this period. Her screen credits include episodes of Knight Rider, Remington Steele, Cover Up, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and Who’s the Boss.
These early acting roles helped establish her in the industry and paved the way for later opportunities as a host and presenter.
How Shawn Southwick Built Her Career in Media
After her initial acting work, Southwick King transitioned into entertainment journalism and hosting. From 1990 through 1996 she co-hosted Hollywood Insider, a weekly entertainment-news programme on the USA Network.
Her six-year tenure on Hollywood Insider made her a familiar media presence and contributed significantly to her professional profile. During the 2000s she also branched into music, releasing a personal album (In My Own Backyard) in 2005. This period saw her combining on-camera journalism with her musical interests, underlining her multifaceted career in media and entertainment.
Shawn Southwick’s Work as an Actress and Television Personality
In addition to hosting, King continued to work as a screen performer. She took on acting roles in entertainment projects while maintaining a public profile.
For example, in 2015 she appeared as a cast member in the feature film Christmas Eve, portraying a nurse; she also took on a production credit for this movie.
Her involvement in Christmas Eve demonstrated her dual role as both on-screen performer and behind-the-scenes contributor. Overall, Southwick King remained visible as a television personality through her acting work, media appearances, and coverage of industry events.
Her Transition Into Producing and Media Development
In the 2010s King expanded her career from on-camera roles into media entrepreneurship and producing. In 2012 she co-founded the on-demand video network Ora TV (later renamed Ora Media) alongside Larry King and investor Carlos Slim.
This digital television studio became the platform for creating new talk shows and interview series. As part of this shift, she moved into production roles – for example, she was a co-producer of the film Christmas Eve (2015) while also appearing in it.
Taking on executive and creative responsibilities at Ora marked her transition from broadcaster to media executive, overseeing content development and programming for the network.
The Role of Ora Media in Shawn Southwick’s Career
Ora Media has been central to Southwick King’s professional activities in recent years. Founded in 2012, Ora served as the internet-based studio where she helped develop content for Larry King and other hosts.
Media coverage explicitly describes Ora as “the digital TV network [Larry King] started with his wife, Shawn,” underscoring her co-founding role. Under her leadership and that of her husband, Ora launched interview series such as Larry King Now and PoliticKING.
These programmes were filmed at Ora’s studio in Glendale, California, and became the flagship content of the network. Ora Media’s Larry King Now in particular gained industry recognition – it was Emmy-nominated and featured over 1,000 guest interviews with high-profile figures.
Southwick King’s responsibilities at Ora thus included shaping the network’s programming and helping guide its successful transition into digital media.
Major Career Milestones and Notable Screen Credits
Over several decades, Southwick King has accumulated key professional milestones in entertainment and media. Hosting the nationally syndicated show Hollywood Insider for six years (1990–1996) stands out as a formative credit.
In 2012 she reached a new career turning point by co-founding Ora TV, moving into executive production and content development. In collaboration with Ora, she co-created the interview programme Larry King Now, a series that earned an Emmy nomination.
Among her acting and production credits, the 2015 film Christmas Eve is notable, as she served as both an executive producer and a member of the cast.
These achievements – from a long-running entertainment-news show to launching an online network and producing a feature film – illustrate the breadth of her career in media.
Shawn Southwick’s Career Legacy in Entertainment and Media
Shawn Southwick King’s professional legacy lies in her bridging of traditional broadcasting and new media platforms. As a long-time television host and producer, she became a familiar figure in entertainment journalism.
Later, by co-founding Ora Media she helped usher a veteran broadcast brand into the digital era. Her work exemplifies a modern media career: she combined on-air talent with entrepreneurial leadership, developing content for both cable and online audiences.
In particular, her role in creating Larry King Now and other Ora programmes reflected an innovative approach to celebrity interviews and talk shows. Through these efforts, she contributed to extending legacy media into the streaming age, leaving a mark on how entertainment and news are produced and delivered in the 21st century.
Current Work, Recent Projects, and Professional Activities
In recent years, Shawn King’s career has continued to revolve around Ora Media and related ventures. As of the mid-2020s, there are no widely reported new independent projects beyond her established work at Ora.
Ora Media itself remains active, with its studio hosting productions of Larry King Now and PoliticKING. Since the passing of Larry King in 2021, Southwick King still holds her co-founder status at Ora Media, and she is understood to remain involved in its ongoing productions.
In summary, her current professional activities appear focused on sustaining and guiding the media projects she helped build, rather than branching into new fields.
Shawn Southwick Net Worth
As of 2026, Shawn Southwick’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no figure has been officially verified by major financial authorities. Her income is derived from several sources, including acting (with roles in various television series and films, as well as producing the movie Christmas Eve), television hosting (she hosted USA Network’s entertainment news program Hollywood Insider for six years), music (she released an album in 2005), and her role as co-founder of the digital media network Ora TV (Ora Media). However, specific earnings from these activities have not been made public.
FAQs
1. Who is Shawn Southwick?
Shawn Southwick is an American television host, actress, singer, and media producer. She is also known for co-founding the digital media company Ora Media.
2. What is Shawn Southwick known for professionally?
She is best known for co-hosting the entertainment news program Hollywood Insider and for her work in digital media production. Her involvement in Ora Media expanded her role into executive-level content development.
3. What is Shawn Southwick’s connection to Ora Media?
Shawn Southwick co-founded Ora TV (later Ora Media) in 2012 with Larry King and Carlos Slim. She has been involved in shaping its programming and production efforts.
4. Has Shawn Southwick worked as an actress?
Yes, she has appeared in several television shows, including Knight Rider and Remington Steele. She has also taken on roles in film, such as Christmas Eve (2015).
5. What is known about Shawn Southwick’s early life?
She was born in Studio City, Los Angeles, and raised in a family involved in the music industry. Her early exposure to entertainment began in childhood through singing and recording work.
