LZ Granderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LZ Granderson
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Granderson in 2025
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| Born |
Elzie Lee Granderson
March 11, 1972 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Western Michigan University |
| Occupation | Columnist |
| Spouse(s) |
Steve Huesing (m. 2016)
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| Children | 1 |
Elzie Lee "LZ" Granderson (born March 11, 1972) is an American journalist and writer. He is known for his work as a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He writes about sports and culture. Before joining the Los Angeles Times, he was a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. He also co-hosted SportsNation on ESPN. Granderson has also written for CNN and ABC News.
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Early Life and Education
LZ Granderson was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. From a young age, he loved basketball and the National Basketball Association. He went to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and graduated from there.
Career Highlights
Granderson has had a varied career in media. He started out as an actor in the early 1990s. Later, he became a well-known sportswriter and columnist.
Acting Roles
In 1992, Granderson acted in the movie Zebrahead. This movie was set in his hometown of Detroit. He played a supporting character named Larry. In 1996, he also appeared in the TV movie To Sir, with Love II. He played the role of Arch Carrouthers alongside Sidney Poitier.
Journalism and Commentary
Before working at ESPN, Granderson was a sportswriter. He wrote for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Grand Rapids Press. At ESPN, he became a senior writer and columnist. His articles often explored the human side of sports. He wrote about athletes' lives and shared his own experiences.
Granderson also appeared on many ESPN shows. These included SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, and Around the Horn. He also provided commentary for ESPN's coverage of the US Open tennis tournament. In 2015, he started contributing to ABC News.
In January 2019, Granderson became the Sports and Culture Columnist for the Los Angeles Times. This new role was created for him. It allows him to write about how sports connect with society, politics, and culture.
Supporting Athletes
In 2013, Granderson supported NBA player Jason Collins. Collins became the first openly gay male professional athlete in a major North American sport. Granderson defended Collins' decision to share his story.
Awards and Recognition
LZ Granderson has received several awards for his journalism. These awards recognize his writing and his work for inclusion.
- He won a GLAAD Award for online journalism in 2009. He was nominated again in 2010.
- In 2022, he received another GLAAD Award. This was for his ABC News podcast called Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson.
- He has also been honored by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. This was for his column writing in 2008 and 2010.
Granderson is also involved with organizations that promote fairness in sports. He is on the Advisory Board for You Can Play. This campaign works to fight against unfair treatment in sports.
Personal Life
LZ Granderson has one son named Isaiah. In 2016, he married Steve Huesing. Their wedding pictures were even shown on ESPN's SportsNation. Granderson later shared that seeing those pictures on TV was very meaningful. He hoped it would inspire other young people. In 2024, Granderson shared that he is living with HIV.
See also
