1. Charles Osgood, longtime CBS host on TV and radio, dies at
2. Charles Osgood, CBS host on TV and radio, passes away at 91.
Remembering Charles Osgood: A Legendary Broadcaster
Charles Osgood, a renowned journalist and beloved anchor of CBS’s “Sunday Morning” for over two decades, has passed away at the age of 91. On Tuesday, Osgood died at his home in Saddle River, New Jersey, due to dementia, according to his family.
A Multi-Talented Broadcaster
Osgood was a versatile broadcaster who won five Emmy Awards throughout his career. He not only anchored “Sunday Morning” but also hosted the popular radio program “The Osgood File.” Known as CBS News’ poet-in-residence, Osgood had a unique ability to write essays and light verse in addition to reporting hard news.
A Tribute to Charles Osgood
Rand Morrison, executive producer of “Sunday Morning,” expressed his admiration for Osgood, stating, “To say there’s no one like Charles Osgood is an understatement. He embodied the heart and soul of ‘Sunday Morning’… At the piano, Charlie put our lives to music. Truly, he was one of a kind — in every sense.”
Legacy and Honors
“CBS News Sunday Morning” will pay tribute to Osgood with a special broadcast on Sunday. Osgood took over the show after the retirement of the beloved Charles Kuralt in 1994. Despite the challenge of following such an iconic figure, Osgood’s folksy erudition and distinctive bow-tied style resonated with viewers, and the program continued to thrive.
Osgood’s broadcasting career began as a classical music DJ in Washington, D.C. After serving in the Army, he helped start WHCT in Hartford, Connecticut, before joining ABC Radio in New York. In 1967, Osgood became a reporter for the CBS-owned NewsRadio 88, and in 1971, he launched “The Osgood File” on the CBS network.
Throughout his career, Osgood received numerous accolades. He was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award in 2008. Osgood also won four Emmy Awards, with a lifetime achievement honor bestowed upon him in 2017.
A Fond Farewell
When Osgood retired in 2016 after 45 years in journalism, he bid farewell in his own inimitable style. Reflecting on the joy he experienced throughout his career, Osgood concluded, “It’s been a great run, but after nearly 50 years at CBS… the time has come.” He then serenaded his audience with a few poignant lines from a favorite folk song, “So long, it’s been good to know you. I’ve got to be driftin’ along.”
Charles Osgood’s contributions to broadcasting, his warm personality, and his way with words will be remembered fondly by colleagues and viewers alike. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of journalism.
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1. Charles Osgood, longtime CBS host on TV and radio, dies at 91: NPR
2. Charles Osgood, CBS host on TV and radio, passes away at 91: NPR.
