10/16/2026
Tammy Faye Bakker (Messner) 1996
Color Photograph by Dale Omori (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Photojournalist for 23 years)
Background on the Photo
Location: Cleveland, Ohio during a promotional press tour for local media outlets.
The show premiered in January 1996 as an offbeat daytime talk/variety program pairing the ex-televangelist with an openly gay comedic actor. During the publicity tour leading up to and during the broadcast launch, Tammy Faye visited major newsrooms and TV stations across the country, including Cleveland.
The Plain Dealer published Omori’s intimate, close-up portrait alongside an interview/feature article in the newspaper's entertainment section. The framing captures her signature look: dramatic makeup, voluminous false eyelashes, bright red manicured nails, and oversized rings framing her face.
Although the show lasted only a short time—Tammy Faye stepped down later in 1996 after her initial colon cancer diagnosis—this photo remains a classic piece of mid-1990s Cleveland photojournalism.
About this excellent framed photograph:
photograph size: 8”x11”
Matted to 13”x16” lightly-textured gold mat board with the bevel-cut-line striped in red.
Framed to 13”x16” w/ reflective red moulding (black on frame edges)
This is a very unique piece, matted and framed by legendary picture-framer, James M. Hardy in Washington, DC
$300.00 (local pickup 44313) preferred, but with ship in the USA for an additional $50.00
Thank you