Russ Ewing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russ Ewing
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Russell H. Ewing
December 28, 1923 |
| Died | June 25, 2019 (aged 95) Paw Paw, Michigan, U.S.
|
| Occupation | journalist, television personality, crisis negotiator |
| Years active | 1969–1995 |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Ewing |
Russ Ewing (born December 28, 1923 – died June 25, 2019) was a famous American journalist. He worked on TV in Chicago from 1967 until the late 1990s. Russ was known for his amazing investigative reporting. He also became famous for helping over 115 people who were wanted by the police to surrender safely. He often helped people wanted for serious crimes.
Contents
Early Life and Start in TV
Russ Ewing was born in Chicago. When he was seven, he lost his parents. An aunt took him in first, and then a family living nearby adopted him. After high school, he worked as a firefighter in Chicago. In the 1960s, he started working for a TV station called WMAQ. His job was to deliver film. He first appeared on TV in 1967.
A Career in Journalism
In the 1970s, Russ Ewing won awards for his investigative reports. He looked into problems at Chicago's animal shelter. He also reported on banks that were not fair when lending money. In 1974, he won an Emmy Award. This was for his reports on the conditions at the Cook County Jail. He even pretended to be an inmate there for two days to see what it was like! Russ Ewing won eight more Emmy Awards during his career.
Helping People Surrender
In 1975, Russ Ewing convinced a person wanted for a crime to surrender to the police. The next year, he and a publisher named Gus Savage helped two robbers who had taken people hostage to surrender. After Russ moved to another TV station, WLS, he kept helping people surrender. He ended up helping over 115 people turn themselves in safely.
Later Life and Hobbies
Russ Ewing retired from WLS in 1995. He briefly returned to WMAQ in 1998 as a special reporter. He was also a very good piano player. In 1981, he even started his own music group called the Russ Ewing Trio. When he was a child, he loved airplanes. As an adult, he got his pilot's license. Sometimes, he even used his own plane to help with surrenders!
The podcast Criminal made an episode about Russ Ewing's life. It was called "Call Russ Ewing."
Death
Russ Ewing passed away on June 25, 2019. He was 95 years old. He died at his home in Paw Paw, Michigan due to complications from bladder cancer.
See also
- Crisis negotiation
