Jerry Taft Biography
Jerry Taft was a retired meteorologist who served as chief meteorologist for WLS-TV in Chicago. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Taft earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He first joined ABC 7 in August 1984 after 7 years at WMAQ-TV, Chicago’s NBC affiliate. Prior to moving to Chicago, he worked at KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV), the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, Texas.
He also performed radio work, providing weather reports for WMAQ-AM and WLS-AM in the 1980s. The Chicago Tribune has described Taft as “one of [their] favorite weathermen”.
He finished second to WBBM-TV’s Steve Baskerville and ahead of Tom Skilling in a 1997 Chicago Sun-Times reader poll about Chicago meteorologists. Participants noted Taft’s “no-nonsense delivery”.
Jerry Taft Age
The meteorologist was born on March 14, 1943, in the United States of America. He died in July 23rd 2020 at the age of 77.
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Jerry Taft Height
Reviewing the body structures of Jerry, he has an average body with average height and weight. He has blonde colored hair and Light brown colored eyes.
Jerry Taft Family
Details concerning his family are still under research and will soon be updated when we come across information about his family.
Jerry Taft Marriage
Have you been wondering if Jerry is married? yes, in fact, he is a happily married man. He is married to his beautiful and loving wife Shana Taft.
The duo was blessed with a son and a daughter. They are living a blissful married life. The Taft’s family resides at Lemont.
They have been staying at Lemont since the mid- 1990’s. Taft loves golfing, hanging out with his friends and family, and more to this, Jerry Taft is a computer geek.
Taft has a niece named Evelyn Taft, who has been working as a morning drive weather reporter on CBS 2, located at Los Angles.
Education Background
He completed his graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Bachelor of Science in meteorology.
Jerry Taft Career
The talented Journalist, Jerry started his successful journey as Journalist from 1970. Since then, Taft is unstoppable.
During his early career, he joined the NBC affiliate situated TV, called the KMOL-TV. He was also known for his work on radio as a weather reporter for WMAQ-AM and WLS-AM.
After KMOL-TV, Jerry was found working at the WMAQ-TV, and then later on at the ABC 7. Currently, Jerry has been holding the position of the chief meteorologist for WLS-TV. Moreover, he was one of the highly reputed and respected meteorologists of Chicago. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Net Worth and Achievements
Jerry Taft’s current net worth is $1.5 million, according to Celebrity Net worth. He used to have a $300K salary per year during his tenure with ABC 7. In August 2017, he sold his Lemont house for $1.495 million.
Taft and his wife bought this house back in 2005 on $1.6 million. In 2013, the couple sold their longtime five-bedroom, home for $627K which they bought back in 1994.
Jerry Taft is one of the seven 2009 honorees who had been inducted into the Silver Circle in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
He has been described as the favorite weatherman by the Chicago Tribune and his work on radio and television was surely an achievement which has earned him considerable name and fame.
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Jerry Taft News
After 34 Years at WLS, Jerry Taft Is Retiring
One of Chicago’s most-recognized TV personalities is leaving the business.
Jerry Taft, 74, who has forecasted Chicago weather for the last 42 years, most of that time at WLS, is retiring. His last day is January 19.
“It’s been a joy walking into ABC7 every day knowing that it does not work, but being with my extended family,” wrote Taft in his note to staff.“Jerry Taft won the trust of our viewers with his knowledge and experience forecasting Chicago’s weather,” said Jennifer Graves, WLS VP, and News Director.
“All of us at ABC 7, along with his many fans, will miss Jerry. We thank him and wish him nothing but sunny skies and a continued low handicap on the golf course.”
Taft got his start on TV in 1976 as a meteorologist for WMAQ-TV. He was also the principal meteorologist on WMAQ-AM radio and later on WLS-AM.
Before TV, Taft served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot and forecaster. A certified meteorologist with the AMS Seal of Approval, Taft holds a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin.
He was also a classroom teacher for aviation and flight planning and as an instructor pilot for the T-38 aircraft.
“He won the affection of our viewers with his self-effacing sense of humor, infectious laugh and relatability,” Graves added. “That combination has made him one of Chicago’s most respected and popular meteorologists for the past four decades.”
Here’s Taft’s note to staff, obtained by TVSpy.
Hey everybody,
It has been a great run, but all good things eventually come to an end. So my last day will be January 19th.
However I have to admit that when I left the Air Force I could never imagine… 42 years on Chicago television and 34 years on ABC7 Chicago.
It’s been a joy walking into ABC7 everyday knowing that it’s not work, but being with my extended family. When I first arrived here we had elevator operators.
The newsroom was full of smoke and the hum of IBM Selectric typewriters. No computers. The scripts went to the set in pneumatic tubes.
35mm film was being spliced together for air and weather was presented on maps drawn by the art department. We have come a long way and I’ve been here the whole time. Amazing.
While I still have my health, wit and vitality it’s time to hang out with my real family, assuming they still remember me.
And I also need to hit the golf course while I still have a single digit handicap. I want to thank everyone for their love and support and wish all a happy holiday.
Jerry
