Danielle Staub (born Beverly Ann Merrill; July 29, 1962)[4] is an American television personality. In May 2009, she came to prominence after being cast in the reality television series The Real Housewives of New Jersey, as a main cast member for two seasons (2009–10), and afterward as a friend for three more seasons (2017–20).
Danielle Staub | |
---|---|
Born | Beverly Ann Merrill[1] July 29, 1962[2] Wayne, New Jersey, U.S.[3] |
Occupation | Television personality |
Years active | 2001–present |
Spouses | Kevin Maher
(m. 1986; div. 1987)Thomas Staub
(m. 1993; div. 2007)Marty Caffrey
(m. 2018; div. 2019) |
Children | 2 |
Early life
editStaub was adopted and raised in Athens, Pennsylvania.[5] She said in her autobiography The Naked Truth that multiple relatives sexually abused her, writing, "The memory goes back as far as 8 years old. By 11, I started fighting back."[6]
Career
editIn 2001, Staub briefly acted in an episode of All My Children.[7] In 2009, Staub joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, where she appeared in the first two seasons.[8] After weeks of speculation, Bravo announced that Staub would not be returning to the show for season three, giving no reason.[9]
In September 2010, she appeared on the Style Network comedy program The Dish. She acted in several sketches, including a surprise cold open where she tried to take over as the show's host after leaving the real presenter, Danielle Fishel, bound and gagged backstage.[10] In 2011, Staub starred in a food-related reality series for VH1 called Famous Food, in which they would "[revamp] a restaurant from the ground up."[11] In August 2017, it was announced that Staub would return to The Real Housewives of New Jersey, in a "friend of the housewives" capacity.[12][13] She appeared as a recurring cast member for seasons 8, 9 and 10. On January 8, 2020, Staub announced her permanent departure from The Real Housewives of New Jersey.[14]
In July 2020, Staub launched a podcast Absolutely Danielle.[15]
In October 2023, Staub appeared as a surprise guest on House of Villains.[16]
Personal life
editStaub has been married three times. She was married to Kevin Maher from 1986 to 1987, and to Thomas Staub, the father of her daughters Christine and Jillian, from 1993 to 2007.[17][18][19] In May 2017, it was announced Staub was engaged to Marty Caffrey.[20][21] The two wed in May 2018.[22] In August 2018, it was announced the couple would divorce.[23] Their divorce was finalized on February 21, 2019.[24][25]
In June 2010, her home in Wayne, New Jersey, which had been featured on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, was put up for sale.[26] In June 2012, Staub filed for bankruptcy.[27][28] As of the end of 2014, the property was listed as a short sale in connection with Staub's successful completion of a bankruptcy filing.[29]
Controversies and legal situations
editDuring the first season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, other participants in the reality show confronted Staub with Charles Kipps' book Cop Without a Badge, which recounted events that surrounded Kevin Maher, an undercover FBI informer, who had once been married to Staub; Cop Without a Badge also included an account of Staub's arrest.[6] Known at the time as Beverly Merrill, Staub cooperated with authorities and received five years' probation.[6][30] Staub had been arrested in June 1986,[31] but she denied many of the other allegations Maher had made.[6] Staub's autobiography The Naked Truth was released on May 25, 2010,[32] and in it, she wrote that her arrest was a matter of "wrong place/wrong time."[33]
In October 2009, Staub's ex-husband Kevin Maher sued her for defamation of character after allegations were made about him;[34] it was settled out of court.[35] In October 2010, Staub was sued again by Maher for making false allegations in her memoir The Naked Truth, after notifying the publisher Simon & Schuster, a lawsuit would be filed if the book was published.[36][37][4]
In 2009, Staub pressed charges against Ashley Holmes, the daughter of fellow Housewife Jacqueline Laurita, for pulling out her hair extension at a fashion show in Wayne, New Jersey. In January 2010, Holmes, then 19, was convicted of assault and fined $189.[38]
Bibliography
edit- The Naked Truth (autobiography, with Steven Priggé) 2010, Gallery; ISBN 978-1-4391-8289-5
References
edit- ^ Dugan, Christina (March 2, 2019). "A Look Back at RHONJ Star Danielle Staub's Romantic History". People. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ Chapin, Adele (July 29, 2019). "Danielle Staub Is a Stunner in a White Hot Dress for Her 57th Birthday Party". Bravo. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- ^ "Danielle Staub". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
- ^ a b Garcia, Jennifer (May 18, 2011). "Danielle Staub Stops Stripping, Seeks Psychological Help". People. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
...Staub, 48, says...
- ^ "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Athens Area High School; Year: 1977. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. p. 74. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Dagostino, Mark (June 22, 2009). "Desperate Housewife". People. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- ^ "Watch Real Housewives' Danielle Staub on All My Children!". Us Weekly. July 1, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ Cooper, Mariah (August 27, 2020). "'RHONJ's Danielle Staub: I Have 'No Respect' for Andy Cohen". Us Weekly. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Shahid, Aliayh (September 7, 2010). "Danielle Staub to leave 'Real Housewives of New Jersey,' Bravo announces". Daily News. New York City. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ Lum, Linny (September 11, 2010). "Danielle Staub takes another crack at Teresa Guidice on "The Dish"". HollywoodNews.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Brown, Rebecca (May 4, 2011). "Is Heidi Montag Filming A Reality Show With Danielle Staub?". MTV.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Quinn, Dave (August 22, 2017). "Danielle Staub Returns to RHONJ — and What Furniture Is Teresa Giudice Flipping Now?". People. United States: Time Inc. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ Gennis, Sadie (August 22, 2017). "Real Housewives of New Jersey: Get a First Look at Danielle Staub's Return in This Dramatic Trailer!". TV Guide. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ Danielle Staub Announces Departure from RHONJ. on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen (Youtube). January 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Absolutely Danielle". IHeartRadio. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ "What Advice Did Danielle Staub Give the Contestants on House of Villains?". Bravo TV Official Site. October 30, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Anne (May 23, 2017). "Danielle Staub of 'Real Housewives' engaged to Marty Caffrey". UPI. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (April 21, 2017). "Danielle Staub's Little Girls Are All Grown Up". Bravo. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Fogarty, Lisa (March 3, 2016). "Has Danielle Staub Really Been Engaged 19 Times? The 'TRHONJ' Star Has Had Several Very Public Relationships". Bustle.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Vulpo, Mike (May 22, 2017). "Real Housewives of New Jersey's Danielle Staub Is Engaged to Marty Caffrey". E! News. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Quinn, Dave (May 23, 2017). "Danielle Staub Is Engaged! Find Out How the Former RHONJ Star's Boyfriend Popped the Question". People. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ Aciz Stanton, Leanne (May 10, 2018). "Inside 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Star Danielle Staub's Dreamy Wedding to Marty Caffrey: Photos". Us Weekly. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ Stone, Natalie; Guglielmi, Jodi (August 23, 2018). "RHONJ Alum Danielle Staub's Husband Files for Divorce — Less Than 4 Months After They Married". People. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (February 21, 2019). "Danielle Staub Reveals What's Next After Her Divorce from Marty Caffrey: 'Contemplating the Celebration'". Bravo. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ Dugan, Christina (March 2, 2019). "A Look Back at RHONJ Star Danielle Staub's Romantic History". People. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Hyman, Vicki (June 14, 2010). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Danielle Staub's home on the market, bidet, tanning bed and all". NJ.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Hyman, Vicki (June 13, 2012). "Danielle Staub's bankruptcy: Post-'Real Housewives,' mortgage woes, legal fees, discount shopping". New Jersey. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Former 'Real Housewives' of N.J. star files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy". NJ.com. The Associated Press. June 6, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Unknown, Mary (July 27, 2014). "Danielle Staub Finalizes Bankruptcy; Gets Rid of Massive Shopping Fees". Reality Tea. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Smith, Olivia (June 24, 2009). "Danielle Staub of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' has a very real criminal past, documents show". Daily News. New York City. Archived from the original on December 1, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Smith, Ryan (February 1, 2010). ""Real Housewives" Danielle Staub Vindicated in Court; Co-Star's Daughter Guilty of "Weave" Assault". CBS News. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Lee, Joyce (June 8, 2010). "Danielle Staub Sex Tape to Be Released Via Hustler Posted". CBS news. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ Hyman, Vicki (May 26, 2010). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Danielle Staub's 'Naked Truth'". NJ.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ DiNunno, Gina (October 7, 2009). "Real Housewife Danielle Staub's Ex-Husband Seeks Lawsuit". TV Guide. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Danielle Staub Settlement Reached in War with Ex". TMZ.com. October 4, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Danielle Staub's Ex to Sue Over 'Naked Truth'". TMZ.com. October 5, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "Danielle Staub Sued Again By Ex". The Huffington Post. December 7, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "'Real Housewives' Hair-Puller Found Guilty Of Assault". nbcchicago.com/. January 31, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2024.