Steve Wilkos
Steven John Wilkos | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 9, 1964 |
| Other names | Steven John Wilkos (birth name) |
| Occupation(s) | U.S. Marine, United States Marine Corps (1982-1989), Patrolman, Chicago Police Department (1990-2001), director of security for The Jerry Springer Show (1994-2007), talk show host of the The Steve Wilkos Show (2007-present) |
| Known for | The Jerry Springer Show and The Steve Wilkos Show |
| Spouse | Rachelle Consiglio |
| Website | www.stevewilkos.com |
Steven John Wilkos (/ˈwɪlˌko(ʊ)s/, born March 9, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois)[1] is an American television personality and former U.S. Marine and Chicago police officer. [2] He currently hosts his own talk show, The Steve Wilkos Show. Best known as the former director of security on The Jerry Springer Show, Wilkos had previously substituted for Springer as host on many occasions before being given his own talk show.
Personal background
Wilkos was born Steven John Wilkos on March 9, 1964, in Chicago. After graduating from Lane Technical High School in 1982,[3] he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1982 to 1989, joining the Chicago Police Department in 1990.[1][2] His wife, Rachelle Consiglio, is the executive producer for Springer as well as his own show; Steve and Rachelle have two children.[4] They live in Park Ridge, Illinois.[5]
Career
The Jerry Springer Show
In May 1994, the producers of The Jerry Springer Show, taped in Chicago, needed security guards for a Ku Klux Klan-related show, so they decided to hire off-duty police. Wilkos then worked part-time for Springer security. [6] He recruited several fellow officers for the job[2], and worked exclusively for the show, leaving the police department in 2001.
In 2002, Entertainment Weekly reported that Wilkos became a professional wrestler with the Maryland Championship Wrestling, during a temporary production hiatus of Springer.[7] [8] In 2005, Wilkos appeared as a guest on Check, Please!, a restaurant-reviewing program on Chicago's PBS station, WTTW.[9]
Beyond Springer, he has made cameo appearances on the TV series Between Brothers and The Simpsons, and in the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.[4]
The Steve Wilkos Show
In January 2007, NBC Universal Television officially announced that Wilkos would host a talk show of his own based at NBC Tower in Chicago. The self-titled program is expected to serve as a companion to Springer and already has attracted the attention of major broadcasting groups, premiering on September 10, 2007 to high ratings.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Steve Wilkos". NNDB. 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ a b c Weller, Sam (1998-01-12). "Talk Toughs". Weekly Wire. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ Classmates.com profile of Steven Wilkos. Accessed December 5, 2008.
- ^ a b "About Steve Wilkos". WGN-TV. 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ Chicago Sun-Times - Recent home sales
- ^ Graham, Colin (1999). "Steve's Interview". Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ Hiatt, Brian (2002-03-29). "ABC Cancels "Once and Again"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
- ^ YouTube - MCW Steve Wilkos & Gillberg Vs. Dino Divine & Chad Bowman
- ^ "Vivienne on Check Please!". Toyus Interruptus. 2005-10-20. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- ^ Pursell, Chris (2007-09-11). "'TMZ,' 'Wilkos' Have Strong Debuts in Syndication". TV Week. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
External links
- Steve Wilkos' blog at TVWeek.com
- Steve Wilkos at IMDb
- The Steve Wilkos Show Official Website