Members of the QVC community are mourning the death of Paul Kelley, one of the network’s original program hosts.
“Honoring the life of former QVC Program Host, Paul Kelley,” the official QVC Facebook page wrote on Monday, April 6. “We invite you to read Rick Domeier QVC’s tribute as we reflect on his time with our QVC family and the memories he leaves behind.”
Kelley’s cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Alongside the announcement, QVC shared photos of Kelley and included a link to current host Rick Domeier’s touching tribute to the late media personality.
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“It was at a Host meeting in early 1995 when we were told the news: QVC was building a new ‘Remote Studio’ that looked like an Orange Bus. We’d be doing live Shows all across the country … in front of a live audience of QVC fans!” Domeier, 65, wrote via Facebook. “‘Would anyone be interested??’ 😀 As a newbie Host burning eggs in a T-fal pan at 4am, I said ‘Yes, please!’🔥The QVC ‘50-in-50’ Tour was born.”
Domeier recalled Kelley being asked to return to QVC for the tour, where the shopping network visited all 50 states in 50 weeks to showcase local products.
“He’d been a Host, a teacher, held a Doctorate in Theatre, and spoke fluent Italian,” Domeier recalled of Kelley. “He was also one of the most gracious, kind souls you’d ever meet.”
“With a big smile and a booming voice, Paul LOVED meeting QVC viewers,” Domeier continued. “He treated the crew with respect, and he kindly guided nervous entrepreneurs who were making their big TV debut.”
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Domeier concluded, “Here’s to one of the Good Guys.🍷🍷. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. 🙏 He’ll always be part of our QVC family. R.I.P. Paul Kelley ❤️.”
Tributes from other QVC hosts have poured in since news broke of Kelley’s death.
“Remembering the life and impact of Paul Kelley,” host David Venable wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, April 7. “He will always be remembered as a beloved QVC Host and my Dear Friend. Rest in Peace!”
Original host Bob Bowersox also shared a lengthy tribute via Facebook.
“Got one of those calls this morning … the ones you never want to get. One of my oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Paul Kelley, had passed away in the wee hours before dawn,” Bowersox, 79, began before describing Kelley as one of the “three musketeers of QVC.”
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“It was not a call I wanted to get, but one I knew would be coming eventually, as Paul had been ill for some time,” the former TV host added.
“He had a doctorate in American Theater — basically a Ph.D in Vaudeville,” Bowersox wrote of his late friend. “Knew everything about it, and I swear, could tell any joke written during that remarkable time. He spoke fluent Italian, loved stellar red wines, knew a great restaurant in every city we did broadcasts from, and was the best of friends … one that you hope everyone could find in their lives.”
Bowersox concluded, “I will miss him terribly — it just won’t feel right not being able to pick up the phone, trade a few jokes with him, and reminisce about the time we ruled the cablewaves. Rest in Peace, my dear friend. Godspeed.”
Kelley worked as an on-air host and commentator from 1986 to 1993. He then took on a role as a QVC ambassador and consultant from 1994 to 2003, which included hosting the 50-in-50 Tour in 1995.
