Joe Donlon Biography And Wiki
Joe Donlon actively delivers the news as a co-anchor for the WGN Evening News at Five and Six, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten. With over 30 years of experience, he has built a respected career in journalism. Before joining WGN-TV in Chicago, Donlon served as the main anchor at KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon, for more than two decades.
He launched his career at KZTV-TV (CBS) in Corpus Christi, Texas, and later worked as an anchor and reporter at KVOA-TV (NBC) in Tucson, Arizona. Throughout his career, Donlon has reported from major events, including the Gulf War in 1991 and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Age And Birthday
Joe Donlon, born on November 25, 1963, is 61 years old as of 2024. He marks his birthday annually on November 25.
Height And Weight
Joe Donlon is 5 feet 7 inches tall (about 171 cm) and weighs approximately 155 pounds (around 72 kg).
Education Background
Joe Donlon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While attending Marquette, he also played as a left wing for the university’s hockey team.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Joe Donlon is an American by nationality. While specific details about his ethnic background are not readily available, his name and birthplace (St. Louis, Missouri) suggest he may have European ancestry.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones:
- Over 30 Years of Experience: Main anchor for over three decades.
- Main Anchor at KGW-TV: Held this role in Portland, Oregon, for more than 20 years.
- CBS Chicago: Currently co-anchors weeknight newscasts at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.
Significant Contributions:
- Reporting Major Events: Covered the Gulf War in 1991 and the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
- Emmy Awards: His work has earned multiple AP and Emmy awards.
- NewsNation: Played a key role in launching the network and hosted “The Donlon Report.”
Notable Works:
- National Political Stories: Reported extensively on national politics.
- Sports Coverage: Covered major events like the Oregon Ducks in the 2010 Rose Bowl and 2011 National Championship game.
Wife and Children
Joe Donlon is married to Kathy Donlon, and they have three children. However, he keeps his personal life private, so limited details about his family are available.
Family, Siblings, Parents
Joe Donlon keeps his personal life private, so little is known about his family. He has not shared information about his parents or whether he has any siblings.
Career
Joe Donlon has built a distinguished career in journalism, spanning over 30 years. He began his journey at KZTV-TV (CBS) in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he worked as an anchor and reporter. This early role set the stage for his future in broadcast journalism. Donlon then moved to KVOA-TV (NBC) in Tucson, Arizona, where he spent nine years refining his skills in anchoring and reporting.
A major milestone in Donlon’s career came when he joined KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon. For over 21 years, he served as the main anchor, becoming a prominent and trusted figure in the region. In early 2018, he transitioned to WGN-TV in Chicago, where he co-anchored the evening news. His newscasts at WGN were highly acclaimed, earning multiple AP and Emmy awards.
In addition to his work at WGN-TV, Donlon played a pivotal role in launching the cable news network “NewsNation.” He hosted The Donlon Report, a program that further showcased his expertise and ability to engage audiences. His efforts in this role underscored his versatility and commitment to journalism.
Currently, Donlon is part of CBS 2 Chicago, where he co-anchors the weeknight 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Irika Sargent. His presence on CBS continues his tradition of delivering reliable and engaging news coverage to viewers.
Throughout his career, Donlon has reported on several notable events. He covered the Gulf War in 1991, reporting from Kuwait during this pivotal conflict. In 2002, he provided comprehensive coverage of the Olympics in Salt Lake City. Additionally, Donlon anchored coverage of the Oregon Ducks during the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 2011 National Championship game, further demonstrating his diverse reporting skills.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Joe Donlon spends weekends exploring neighborhoods and suburbs, helping him learn more about Chicagoland and stay connected with the community.
He has faced criticism for his interviewing style, with some saying he is too soft and doesn’t challenge false claims enough. Despite this, he works to improve and stays committed to his role.
Salary and Net Worth
Joe Donlon earns an annual salary ranging from $46,000 to $125,000. His net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $8 million, built up over his long career in journalism.
Major Achievements
Joe Donlon has reached several key milestones in his career:
- Emmy Awards: His newscasts have earned multiple AP and Emmy awards for excellence in journalism.
- Launch of NewsNation: He helped launch the cable news network “NewsNation” and hosted The Donlon Report.
- Coverage of Major Events: Donlon has reported on important events like the Gulf War in 1991, the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
- Main Anchor in Portland: He was the main anchor at KGW-TV in Portland for over 21 years, becoming a trusted figure in the region.
- CBS Chicago: Donlon currently co-anchors the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts at CBS 2 Chicago, continuing his impactful journalism career.
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