Spencer Christian

Spencer Christian (born July 23, 1947) is an American television broadcaster, best known as the former weather forecaster for ABC's Good Morning America from 1986 to 1998. He currently is the weather forecaster for ABC-owned KGO-TV in San Francisco. Christian is also the author of several children's books.

Spencer Christian
Spencer Christian in 2012.
Born (1947-07-23) July 23, 1947
Newport News, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
Other namesE. Spencer Christian, Jr.
CitizenshipUnited States
EducationB.A. English, Journalism
Alma materHampton University
OccupationBroadcaster, journalist, author
Years active1971-present
EmployerKGO-TV (ABC7), San Francisco
Known forGood Morning America (1986-1999)
The View from the Bay (2006-2010)
Spouse(s)Diane Chambers (1970-2000)
Lynette Courtney (2007-present)
ChildrenJason Christian, John Christian

Biography

Christian was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1947. He began his broadcasting career at WWBT in Richmond, Virginia as a news reporter, covering state and local politics, the public school system, and landmark cases in the Fourth US Circuit Court of Appeals. His first stint as a weatherman came in 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland, when he was hired by news director Ron Kershaw at WBAL-TV to join the station's Action News team which included Sue Simmons, Mike Hambrick, Ron Smith, Curt Anderson and Joe Krebs. In Baltimore, Christian quickly gained a respectable following because of his quick wit and not so dry humor. Additionally, he frequently made appearances at many community and charitable events held at shopping centers, elementary schools and little leagues.

From there, Christian moved to New York City's WABC-TV, where he served as a general assignment reporter, weatherman and sportscaster for Eyewitness News from 1977 to 1986. In August 1986, Christian joined Good Morning America as their weather forecaster. In addition, he occasionally traveled throughout the United States and abroad, reporting on a wide range of topics from current events to human interest stories.[1]

From 1992 to 1993, Christian was also seen on the Black Entertainment Television cable network as the host of the music game show Triple Threat.

For decades, Christian had a serious gambling addiction. He describes his addiction and his recovery in his 2018 book, You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling.[2]

Christian left Good Morning America at the end of 1998 and began doing weather forecasts at KGO-TV in San Francisco, California in January 1999, a position he holds to this day. He was host of HGTV's Spencer Christian's Wine Cellar from 1995 to 1999.[1]

Christian has also hosted the PBS train series Tracks Ahead since 1997. In 2006, he began hosting the popular afternoon show in San Francisco, The View from the Bay. In June, 2014, Christian temporarily returned to the set of Good Morning America as a substitute weather forecaster while Ginger Zee was having her wedding. He also returned on November 19, 2015, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Good Morning America.

He is a member of the Beta chapter of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.

Bibliography

Spencer Christian co-authored the following books with Antonia Felix:[3]

  • Can it Really Rain Frogs: The World's Strangest Weather Events, 1997, ISBN 978-0471152903
  • Is There a Dinosaur in Your Backyard: The World's Most Fascinating Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals, 1998, ISBN 978-0471196167
  • Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The World's Most Amazing Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Other Forces, 1997, ISBN 978-0471152910
  • What Makes the Grand Canyon Grand? The World's Most Awe-Inspiring Natural Wonders, 1997, ISBN 978-0471196174

With co-author Tom Biracree, he wrote:[3]

  • Electing Our Government: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Vote Really Count, 1996, ISBN 978-0312143244

He also wrote:[3]

  • Spencer Christian's Geography Book, 1995, ISBN 978-0312131807
  • Spencer Christian's You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling, 2018, ISBN 978-1682616390

References
  1. "Spencer Christian". ABC 7 News. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  2. Hallenbeck, Brian (October 23, 2018). "Spencer Christian recounts struggles with gambling addiction". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  3. "Author page: Spencer Christian". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
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