Posted by R.I.P. on June 24, 2009 at 02:59:49:
Ch. 11 broadcast legend John Callaway dies
June 24, 2009
Chicago television news giant John Callaway died Tuesday evening in Racine, Wis., after suffering a heart attack in a store, according to his executive producer. He was 72.
Mr. Callaway was the founder of WTTW?s ??Chicago Tonight,?? a program he anchored for 15 years before retiring in 1999.
Mr. Callaway had not been gone long from WTTW public broadcasting, returning to host the ??Friday Night Show,?? featuring newsmakers who included former presidents, television stars, and famous authors.
Mr. Callaway was known for his penetrating interviews and the depth and breath of his preparation.
Mr. Callaway?s work has won more than 60 awards, including seven Emmys and a Peabody award.
Mr. Callaway was born in West Virginia, the son of a newspaper editor.
?John Callaway was a giant,? said Carol Marin, Sun-Times columnist and interviewer for WTTW. ?He was a man who could talk to anyone and learn more from them than anyone, and with a laser intellect could piece together their story like no one else in broadcasting.?
He is a college dropout who became one of the dominant voices in news in Chicago. Mr. Callaway was a general assignment reporter for WBBM-TV. In 1974, he joined WTTW as news director and in 1975, hosted the station?s nightly newscast. He later was host of WTTW?s Chicago Feedback town meeting series, according to WTTW?s Web site.