Starting in 1980 as the co-host of Good Morning America, Joan Lunden's was the face millions turned to each morning for the soft news they needed to start their day off right. In 1997, she left the show. But why would anyone ever leave such a cushy, well-paying, successful gig? According to the Los Angeles Times, Lunden announced her exit from the show in May 1997, attributing the need to move on to wanting to "spend mornings with her three daughters."
When she actually departed in September 1997, Lunden discussed the many opportunities she had on offer, including syndicated talk show, a book deal, and a move into acting. "I've been offered several scripts. I'm going to take some time off to think about what I want to do next," she said. The outlet also noted that at the time that Lunden "already has taped an appearance as herself on the fall premiere of CBS' Murphy Brown and has a guest shot on an NBC midseason comedy, Lateline."
While she left Good Morning America, her workplace since 1976 (counting her time as a correspondent), her contract with ABC didn't complete until 1999, so plans were made for Lunden to file stories for 20/20 and PrimeTime Live.
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