Kent Shocknek
Kent Shocknek (born December 2, 1956) is Southern California's longest-running television news morning news anchor.[1] He also appears in cameo roles in movies and television dramas.[2] On radio, Shocknek has narrated a daily commentary in Los Angeles; and hosted a nationally syndicated entertainment program. Magazine readers may recognize him as an author of automotive articles.[1]
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[edit] Life and career
Born Kent Schoknecht in Berkeley, California, he simplified the on-air spelling of his name upon arrival to Los Angeles television. After working at the Long Beach Press Telegram while attending the University of Southern California, Shocknek's first TV reporting job was in Sioux City, Iowa (KCAU-TV), followed by a three-year stint as anchor and Space Shuttle reporter in Orlando, Florida (WFTV).[3]
In 1986, Shocknek anchored the start-up of L.A.'s first TV morning news program, "Today in L.A." on KNBC-TV. Over the years, he broadcast—often single-handedly—such events as the Los Angeles riots, O.J. Simpson murder trial, and storms and earthquakes that shook his studio while he was on the air.
Shocknek first made national news headlines anchoring the 1986 launch and explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger; and a strong aftershock to the deadly 5.9 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. The threat of falling studio lights forced Shocknek to take cover under his set's anchor desk for several seconds as he continued reporting about the ground- and studio movement.
After helming the KNBC program for 15-years, Shocknek moved to morning newscasts at KCBS-TV (CBS2-TV in Los Angeles) in 2001. There, L.A. Confidential magazine named him one of L.A.'s Top Ten anchors. He anchored live the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center, and subsequently has reported on the War in Iraq; Michael Jackson's funeral; plus Southern California's seasonal wildfires and frequent high-speed freeway chases.[1]
Shocknek began writing and delivering the 60-second daily radio commentary Just A Minute with Kent Shocknek on CBS all-news radio station KNX-1070 AM in Los Angeles, in 2003.[1] The following year, he launched Premiere Magazine Live!, a weekly radio show about movies, in approximately 50 markets countrywide.[1] He and his wife, who went by the on-air name Karen Walters, worked together, until the magazine on which the show was based ceased publication.[3]
[edit] Awards
- 8 regional Emmy Awards (individual and group)
- 2 L.A. Press Club Awards
- Golden Mic. Award (Best Daytime Newscast)
- Wm. Randolph Hearst Award (investigative reporting)
[edit] Education
B.A., University of Southern California, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e KCBS/KCAL-TV Los Angeles Web Site Bio: http://cbs2.com/bios/Kent.Shocknek.cbs.9.564621.html
- ^ Kent Shocknek's IMDb Profile: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0794688/
- ^ a b Kent Shocknek's Web Site: http://kentshocknek.com
