Bill Rancic: Difference between revisions

| name = Bill Rancic

| image = BillRancic Web.jpg

| caption = Rancic in 2010

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|5|16}}

| birth_place = [[Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.

'''William Rancic''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|æ|n|s|ɪ|k}}; born May 16, 1971)<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Rancic Biography|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bill-rancic/bio/214466|work=[[TV Guide]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=May 26, 2014|archive-date=September 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905103512/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bill-rancic/bio/214466/|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American [[entrepreneur]] who was the first candidate hired by [[The Trump Organization]] at the conclusion of the first season of [[Donald Trump]]'s reality television show ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series)|The Apprentice]]''. He is married to [[E! News]] host [[Giuliana Rancic]] and currently resides in [[Chicago, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography |url=https://www.billrancic.com/biography |website=Bill Rancic {{!}} Public Speaking for the Success Seeking |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018175817/https://www.billrancic.com/biography |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and education==

Rancic was born on May 16, 1971, in [[Chicago]] to Gail ({{nee|Creagan}}) and Edward Rancic, who died of cancer in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Rancic profile|url=http://www.theapprenticerules.com/biographies/profile-bill-rancic.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041123020314/http://www.theapprenticerules.com/biographies/profile-bill-rancic.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2004|access-date=2012-08-05|publisher=The Apprentice Rules}}{{Dead link|date=February 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Rancic has three sisters, Beth, Katie, and Karen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Rancic biography|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/rancic/bio/214466|access-date=2012-08-05|publisher=Tvguide.com|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730081232/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/rancic/bio/214466/|url-status=live}}</ref> He grew up in the suburb of [[Orland Park, Illinois|Orland Park]], in a family of [[Croat]]ian and [[Irish people|Irish]] heritage. His paternal grandfather Nikola Rančić had immigrated to the [[United States]] from [[Split, Croatia|Split]].<ref>[http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6013/1/E-Bill-Rancic-Croatian-American-Finalist-on-the-Apprentice.html "Bill Rancic Croatian-American, Finalist on ''The Apprentice''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106214111/http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6013/1/E-Bill-Rancic-Croatian-American-Finalist-on-the-Apprentice.html |date=November 6, 2021 }}; accessed February 5, 2016. {{in lang|hr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/20040410/mozaik01.asp|language=hr|newspaper=[[Slobodna Dalmacija]]|title=Splićanin u finalu reality showa Donalda Trumpa!|trans-title=A Split native in the Donald Trump reality show final!|quote=U razgovoru za Slobodnu Dalmaciju, ranije ovoga tjedna, Bill Rancic je ispričao kako se njegov djed Nikola Rančić iz Splita doselio u Sjedinjene Države, te da i on sam planira posjetiti zemlju svojih predaka|date=April 10, 2004|access-date=2012-10-19|archive-date=January 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115041200/http://arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr/20040410/mozaik01.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rothman |first1=Michael |title=Giuliana Rancic: 44 Reasons I Love Bill on His 44th Birthday |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/giuliana-rancic-44-reasons-love-bill-44th-birthday/story?id=31079787 |work=ABC News |date=May 16, 2015 |quote=Bill Rancic turns 44 today, so no one better than his wife of more than seven years, Giuliana Rancic, to compile a list of 44 reasons why she loves her husband. |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925015515/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/giuliana-rancic-44-reasons-love-bill-44th-birthday/story?id=31079787 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rancic attended St. Michael's School and graduated from [[Carl Sandburg High School]]. He earned a B.S. from [[Loyola University Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20170117/submitted-content/entrepreneur-bill-rancic-to-speak-at-benedictine/ |title=Entrepreneur Bill Rancic to speak at Benedictine |work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]] |date=2017-01-17 |accessdate=2024-06-01 }}</ref>

Rancic was one of the job applicants in the [[The Apprentice (American season 1)|first season]] of ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series)|The Apprentice]]'' during the spring of 2004, as one of 16 contestants. Rancic was hired at the conclusion of the 14-week job interview after Donald Trump selected him over finalist Kwame Jackson.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Sarah |title=The Donald Hires "Apprentice" Bill |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/47250/the-donald-hires-apprentice-bill |work=E! News |date=April 16, 2004 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713152203/https://www.eonline.com/news/47250/the-donald-hires-apprentice-bill |url-status=live }}</ref>

For the final challenge against competitor Kwame Jackson, Trump gave Rancic the task of running a celebrity golf outing at [[Trump National Golf Club Westchester]] in [[Briarcliff Manor, New York]], while Jackson was tasked to manage a Jessica Simpson concert. At the final board meeting, Jackson remarked that running a golf outing was the easier of the two tasks, which brought a disagreement from Trump VP [[Carolyn Kepcher]], who was managing a golf course when Trump hired her. Trump hired Rancic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Don |title=Trump Picks Up Bill |url=https://nypost.com/2004/04/16/trump-picks-up-bill-winner-rancic-in-war-of-words-with-kwame/ |work=New York Post |date=April 16, 2004 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224157/https://nypost.com/2004/04/16/trump-picks-up-bill-winner-rancic-in-war-of-words-with-kwame/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rancic was elected to take charge of the construction of the [[Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)|Trump Tower Chicago]] in his native Chicago, on the site of the demolished ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' building. His other option was to oversee and manage a new [[Trump National Golf Course]] and resort in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gyenes |first1=Kelly |title=The Donald hires Bill as 'The Apprentice' |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/15/apprentice.finale/index.html |work=CNN |date=April 16, 2004 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030115413/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/15/apprentice.finale/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Originally, Rancic said that, after his one-year contract as Trump's Apprentice expired, he would leave the job and start his own company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/50632/apprentice-bill-fires-self |title=Apprentice Bill Fires Self |publisher=E! Online |date=2005-09-08 |access-date=2016-02-06 |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042230/https://www.eonline.com/news/50632/apprentice-bill-fires-self |url-status=live }}</ref> He instead opted to remain part of the Trump Organization, and in some seasons filled in as a judge when regular judge [[George H. Ross]] was away on business.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fowler |first1=Brandi |title=Bill Rancic, the Original Apprentice Champ, Returns to the Show |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/353841/bill-rancic-the-original-apprentice-champ-returns-to-the-show |work=E! News |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221225825/https://www.eonline.com/news/353841/bill-rancic-the-original-apprentice-champ-returns-to-the-show |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2007, Rancic co-hosted [[iVillage]]'s ''[[In the Loop with iVillage]],'' a TV show and [[webcast]] produced by [[NBC Universal]]. NBC commissioned a set at the [[Universal Orlando Resort]] in Florida.<ref>[http://intheloop.ivillage.com/abouttheshow/0,,c39kjx7x,00.html Bill Rancic In The Loop with iVillage Host] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012032312/http://intheloop.ivillage.com/abouttheshow/0%2C%2Cc39kjx7x%2C00.html |date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> In September 2008, Rancic began as host for the A&E reality show ''[[We Mean Business (TV series)|We Mean Business]],'' in which small business owners undergo business make-overs.<ref name="alboher">{{cite news |last1=Alboher |first1=Marci |title=New Reality Show "Fixes" Small Businesses |url=https://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/new-reality-show-fixes-small-businesses/ |work=New York Times |date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426024047/https://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/new-reality-show-fixes-small-businesses/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, Rancic and his wife, TV host [[Giuliana Rancic]] (née DePandi), started a joint television production company, You and I Productions, which produces reality and scripted programming for television.<ref name="alboher"/> In 2009, they started their own [[reality-television]] show ''[[Giuliana and Bill]]'' which aired on the [[E!]] network.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Denise|title=TCA Press Tour: 'Giuliana & Bill' not afraid of the newlywed reality show curse|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/07/tca-press-tour-giuliana-bill-not-afraid-of-the-newlywed-reality-show-curse.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 30, 2009|access-date=February 21, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127113604/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/07/tca-press-tour-giuliana-bill-not-afraid-of-the-newlywed-reality-show-curse.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, Rancic started hosting a news program called ''America Now,'' which is broadcast across the United States on stations owned by [[Raycom Media]]. The following year, "America Now" was brought back for a second season, with [[Leeza Gibbons]] joining Bill Rancic. Originally, the show was on every weekend, but when Leeza Gibbons joined the show, it moved to a Monday through Friday timeslot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/13398106/america-now-on-wmbf-news|title=New to WMBF News: America Now|work=[[WMBF-TV]]|publisher=[[NBC]]|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628183615/http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/13398106/america-now-on-wmbf-news|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Rancic became a television spokesperson for the product [[Minoxidil|Rogaine]], appearing in national commercials detailing his experience with hair loss.<ref>{{cite web |author=Nicole Karlis |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/05/17/bill-rancic-rogaine-ambassador-interview/ |title=[INTERVIEW&#93; Bill Rancic Rogaine Ambassador — Exclusive Deets On Hair-Raising Ads |publisher=Hollywood Life |date=2012-05-17 |access-date=2016-02-06 |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414081415/http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/05/17/bill-rancic-rogaine-ambassador-interview/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2014, Rancic began hosting the [[Food Network]] competitive cooking series ''[[Kitchen Casino]]'', where chefs participate in three casino-themed challenges in an attempt to win up to $30,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barger |first1=Jennifer |title=On Food Network's 'Kitchen Casino,' Bill Rancic holds all the cards |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/express/wp/2014/04/07/bill-rancic-food-network-kitchen-casino/?nid=menu_nav_accessibilityforscreenreader&outputType=accessibility |worknewspaper=Washington Post |issue=Express |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106215852/https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2014/04/07/bill-rancic-food-network-kitchen-casino/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Rancic published his first novel, ''First Light'', to mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fiction Book Review: First Light by Bill Rancic |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-101-98227-3 |work=Publishers Weekly |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224146/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-101-98227-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Rancic sold a century-old [[Gold Coast Historic District (Chicago)|Gold Coast]] row house he had bought in 2007, after extensive renovations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodkin |first1=Dennis |title=You're Sold! |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2009/Youre-Sold/ |work=Chicago Magazine |date=July 16, 2009 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127104431/https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/july-2009/youre-sold/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Rancic sold a condo on the 50th floor of the [[Park Tower (Chicago)|Park Tower]] building, on the [[Magnificent Mile]] in Chicago, less than 20 months after purchasing the unit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/sell/ct-mre-0116-elite-street-20110114,0,3834282.story|title=Rancic flips Mag Mile condo|last=Goldsborough|first=Bob|date=January 14, 2011|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=2011-10-17|archive-date=December 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226095342/http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/sell/ct-mre-0116-elite-street-20110114,0,3834282.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rancic had owned a home in [[Hinsdale, Illinois]], which was prominently featured on his reality show.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/luxury/ct-mag-reno-0213-rancic-house-20110208,0,1943877.story|title=Trump card: Bill and Giuliana Rancic's Hinsdale remodel|author=''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' staff|date=February 8, 2011|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=2011-10-17}}</ref> He sold it in February 2011 after extensive renovations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/realestate/ct-xpm-2011-03-18-ct-mre-0320-elite-street-20110318-story.html|title=Rancic sells Hinsdale mansion for $4.6 million|last=Goldsborough|first=Bob|date=March 18, 2011|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=2019-02-21|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224305/https://www.chicagotribune.com/realestate/ct-xpm-2011-03-18-ct-mre-0320-elite-street-20110318-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2013, Rancic and his wife purchased a 19th-century house on Bellevue Place, which they rehabbed and sold in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodkin |first1=Dennis |title=Bill and Giuliana Rancic sell on Gold Coast for $5 million |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/bill-and-giuliana-rancic-sell-gold-coast-5-million |work=Crain's Chicago |date=February 1, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119214233/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/bill-and-giuliana-rancic-sell-gold-coast-5-million |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2011, Rancic and his wife entered into a partnership with [[Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises]] to open an Italian restaurant in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gomez |first1=Luis |title=Giuliana and Bill Rancic opening Italian restaurant in Chicago |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/celebrity/chi-bill-and-giuliana-rancic-restaurant-chicago-20110829-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112203/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/celebrity/chi-bill-and-giuliana-rancic-restaurant-chicago-20110829-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The restaurant was named ''RPM Italian'', and it opened in February 2012 in Chicago's [[River North Gallery District, Near North Side, Chicago|River North District]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lande |first1=Samantha |title=RPM Italian Now Open in River North |url=https://chicago.eater.com/2012/2/24/6611035/rpm-italian-now-open-in-river-north |work=Eater Chicago |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222103614/https://chicago.eater.com/2012/2/24/6611035/rpm-italian-now-open-in-river-north |url-status=live }}</ref> They opened several more restaurants, including ''RPM Steak'' in Chicago, another ''RPM Italian'' in [[Washington, D.C.]], and a planned ''RPM On the Water'' opening in 2019 in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ori |first1=Ryan |title=Lettuce Entertain You bringing four-level restaurant space to riverfront |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-lettuce-entertain-you-ryan-ori-20180309-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 12, 2018 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510122406/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-lettuce-entertain-you-ryan-ori-20180309-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The restaurants have been popular with celebrities, including [[Barack Obama]] and [[Michelle Obama]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Former President Obama Dines at Bill and Giuliana Rancic's RPM Steak in Chicago |url=https://people.com/food/obama-giuliana-bill-rancic-rpm-steak-restaurant-chicago/ |work=People Magazine |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713153338/https://people.com/food/obama-giuliana-bill-rancic-rpm-steak-restaurant-chicago/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2006, he became engaged to [[Giuliana Rancic|Giuliana DePandi]], and the couple wed in September 2007 in [[Chiesa di Santa Sofia, Capri]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoynoff |first1=Natasha |title=You're Married! Apprentice Bill Rancic Weds E! News Anchor |url=https://people.com/celebrity/youre-married-apprentice-bill-rancic-weds-e-news-anchor/ |work=People Magazine |date=September 1, 2007 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611163332/https://people.com/celebrity/youre-married-apprentice-bill-rancic-weds-e-news-anchor/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 23, 2012, Giuliana and Rancic announced on ''The Today Show'' that they were expecting their first child via gestational carrier.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20589362,00.html |title=Giuliana Rancic, Bill Rancic to Be Parents |website=People.com |date=2012-04-23 |access-date=2016-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114130607/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20589362,00.html |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In August 2012, the couple had a son in [[Denver]], Colorado.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/338760/Giuliana-and-Bill-Rancic-Welcome-a-Baby-Boy |title=Giuliana and Bill Rancic Welcome a Baby Boy! |publisher=E! Online |date= August 30, 2012 |access-date=2016-02-06 |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106212055/https://www.eonline.com/news/338760/giuliana-and-bill-rancic-welcome-a-baby-boy |url-status=live }}</ref>

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20210515175830/https://naxontech.com/news/profile-bill-rancic/ The Apprentice Rules Bill Rancic Bio]{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

[[Category:The Apprentice (franchise) winners]]