Frank Somerville Biography And Wiki
Frank Somerville, born on March 19, 1958, in San Luis Obispo, California, is an American television journalist who made a significant impact during his career at KTVU in Oakland, California. He grew up in San Luis Obispo and attended Berkeley High School before earning a degree in Broadcast Communications Arts from San Francisco State University. Somerville began his career in 1981, interning at KTVU while still in school. Afterward, he worked at local stations in Santa Rosa, Minneapolis, and Providence before returning to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Age And Birthday
Frank Somerville, born on March 19, 1958, is 66 years old as of 2025 and will turn 67 on his birthday, March 19, 2025.
Height And Weight
Frank Somerville is 5 feet 9 inches (176 cm) tall and weighs approximately 187 lbs (86 kg).
Education Background
Frank Somerville completed his education at Berkeley High School, graduating in 1976, before attending San Francisco State University, where he earned a degree in Broadcast Communications Arts.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Frank Somerville is an American, born in San Luis Obispo, California, and raised in Berkeley, California. He is of White ethnicity.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones
- 1958: Born on March 19, in San Luis Obispo, California.
- 1976: Graduated from Berkeley High School.
- 1981: Interned at KTVU while attending San Francisco State University.
- 1991: Started full-time at KTVU.
- 1992: Became co-anchor of KTVU’s morning news.
- 2005: Became the first anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast.
- 2008: Named co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.
- 2021: Contract expired, and KTVU chose not to renew.
Significant Contributions
- Emmy Awards: Earned three Emmy Awards, including one for best on-camera news anchor.
- Community Involvement: Actively participated in community service and mentored young journalists.
- Advocacy: Advocated for social issues such as domestic violence and racial sensitivity.
Notable Works
- Coverage of Major Events: Reported on major events like the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash and the Gabby Petito case.
- Public Apology: In 2013, issued a public apology for the incident involving racist pilot names.
- Personal Leave: Took a leave in June 2021 due to difficulties reading scripts on air.
Wife and Children
Frank Somerville was married to Donna Wright Somerville for more than 20 years. Donna is a television producer. The couple has two daughters, Callie and Sydney Somerville, with one of them being adopted.
Career
Frank Somerville started his career in 1981 when he interned at KTVU while studying at San Francisco State University. After completing his degree, he gained experience working at local stations in Santa Rosa, California, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Providence, Rhode Island, before returning to the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 1992, Somerville joined KTVU as the co-anchor of the morning news program. His career at the station continued to grow, and in 2005, he became the first anchor for the newly launched 5 p.m. newscast. By 2008, he took on the role of co-anchor for both the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, succeeding Dennis Richmond.
Throughout his career, Somerville made significant contributions to KTVU. He received three Emmy Awards, one of which was for best on-camera news anchor, reflecting his skill and dedication to journalism. In 2013, he publicly apologized on behalf of KTVU for a controversial incident in which racist names were read out during a broadcast of the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash.
Somerville’s work extended beyond just his on-air role, as he actively mentored young journalists and was involved in community advocacy. His commitment to the profession and the people around him made him a respected figure in the industry.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Frank Somerville enjoys a variety of hobbies:
- Gracie Jujitsu: He practices Gracie Jujitsu twice a week.
- Ice Hockey: He plays in an adult ice hockey league.
- Fitness: He works out at the gym three to four times a week.
- Painting: He creates abstract paintings with bright colors.
Personal Challenges
Frank Somerville has faced some personal challenges:
- Alcoholism: He has struggled with alcoholism, leading to legal and personal issues.
- Divorce: He divorced his wife, Donna Wright Somerville, in January 2021.
- Legal Issues: He was arrested twice in one day in June 2023.
- Health Issues: He dealt with health challenges, including a DUI incident in December 2021.
Salary and Net Worth
Frank Somerville had a prosperous career in broadcast journalism, with his financial success mirroring his long-standing influence in the industry. In 2024, his reported annual salary at KTVU was approximately $625,000, placing him among the top-paid anchors in the Bay Area. Throughout his career, his net worth is estimated to be about $2 million.
Major Achievements
Frank Somerville’s career included several key accomplishments:
Major Achievements
- Emmy Awards: He won three Emmy Awards during his time at KTVU, including one for best on-camera news anchor.
- First Anchor of 5 p.m. Newscast: He was the first anchor for KTVU’s 5 p.m. newscast when it started in 2005.
- Co-anchor of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Newscasts: In 2008, he became co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing Dennis Richmond.
- Public Apology: In 2013, he apologized publicly for the incident in which racist pilot names were read out during the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 broadcast.
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