– Charles Osgood, CBS Sunday Morning host
– Charles Osgood dies at 91.
Charles Osgood, Iconic CBS News Journalist and Host of “CBS Sunday Morning,” Passes Away at 91
Charles Osgood, the beloved CBS News journalist who led the iconic show “CBS Sunday Morning” for over two decades, has sadly passed away at the age of 91. According to CBS News, Osgood had been battling dementia in his final years.
A Legendary Career in Broadcasting
Osgood’s influence extended beyond “CBS Sunday Morning.” He also hosted the widely popular radio-news segment, “The Osgood File,” from 1971 to 2017. Listeners across the United States tuned in four times each weekday morning to hear his insightful analysis of news events and his unique rhyming commentary on the latest headlines. Osgood’s warm sign-off, “I’ll see you on the radio,” became a familiar phrase to his devoted audience.
Osgood was known for his concise and impactful storytelling style, often emphasizing the power of brevity. He believed that short words, sentences, and paragraphs could enhance any piece of writing.
With an impressive 45-year career at CBS News, Osgood retired in 2016. During his tenure, “Sunday Morning” achieved some of its highest ratings in three decades and received the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program on three separate occasions.
A Unique Presence
Rand Morrison, the long-time executive producer of “Sunday Morning,” spoke highly of Osgood’s exceptional qualities. “To say there’s no one like Charles Osgood is an understatement,” Morrison said. “He embodied the heart and soul of ‘Sunday Morning.’ His signature bow tie, his poetry… just his presence was special for the audience and for those of us who worked with him.”
A Life Shaped by Music and Radio
Born on January 8, 1933, in New York City, Charles Osgood Wood III spent his formative years in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. Even as a young boy, he showed a passion for music, taking piano lessons and immersing himself in the world of radio. During his time at Fordham University in the 1950s, Osgood became the chief announcer at the campus radio station, WFUV, where he hosted his own program, showcasing his lively banter and piano skills. In 1954, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Osgood’s journey in broadcasting began as a classical music DJ at WGMS in Washington, D.C. However, he soon enlisted in the U.S. Army to assume the role of a band announcer. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with musician and band arranger John Cacavas, as they co-wrote the lyrics for the hit song “Gallant Men” in December 1966.
After leaving the Army in 1958, Osgood returned to WGMS before being appointed as the general manager of WHCT, the nation’s first pay cable channel, in Hartford, CT. Unfortunately, the venture did not succeed, leading Osgood to join ABC Radio in New York in 1963. During his time there, he served as a general assignment reporter and contributed to the “Flair Report,” where he began experimenting with rhyming pieces that he would later perform on air.
In 1967, Osgood became an anchor-reporter for WCBS NewsRadio 88 in New York, where he made history by anchoring the first morning drive shift when the station transitioned to an all-news format.
A Lasting Legacy
Charles Osgood leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of journalism and broadcasting. His wit, warmth, and unique storytelling style endeared him to millions of viewers and listeners across the nation. As we mourn his passing, we celebrate his remarkable contributions and the indelible mark he has left on the industry.
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– Charles Osgood CBS Sunday Morning host
– Charles Osgood dies at 91.
