Tony Perkins (news anchor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Perkins
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|---|---|
| Born |
Anthony Perkins
August 25, 1959 |
| Alma mater | American University (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Journalist, Radio personality |
| Years active | 1983-present |
| Television | WRC-TV anchor (2023–Present) WUSA Get Up DC! anchor (2020–2023) WTTG Anchor (2012–2019) (1998–1999) Weekday morning meteorologist (2005–2012) (1993–1998) ABC News Good Morning America weekday meteorologist (1999–2005) WDCA Host/producer (1986–1988) |
| Spouse(s) | Rhonda Perkins |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Constance Bellamy (mother) Tommy Perkins (father) |
| Relatives | Scott Perkins (brother) |
| Awards | Emmy Awards (2) |
Anthony Perkins (born August 25, 1959) is an American journalist and radio host. He is well-known for being a weather anchor on ABC's Good Morning America from 1999 to 2005. More recently, he joined WUSA in Washington, D.C. in 2019 for their morning show, Get Up DC!, and became a full-time anchor there in January 2020. Since March 2023, he has been a co-anchor for News4 Today at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in New York and D.C.
Anthony Perkins was born on August 25, 1959, in New York City. His mother was Constance Bellamy, and his father was Tommy Perkins. The family lived in the South Bronx until Anthony was five years old. Then, they moved to Washington, D.C..
When Anthony was 11, his parents divorced. His mother worked hard as a telephone operator and night clerk to support the family.
High School and College Years
Anthony went to elementary school in Washington, D.C. He attended junior high in Maryland and Virginia. In 1977, he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
During high school, Anthony was a great student. He was also involved in many school activities. He even became the first Black editor-in-chief of his school's student newspaper.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from American University's School of Communication in 1981. While there, he worked at the campus radio station and the Black student newspaper. He also helped start the campus television station.
Family in Radio
Anthony Perkins comes from a family with a history in radio. His father worked at WOL and WOOK. His uncle was a radio engineer at WFIL. Anthony's younger brother, Scott, worked as an art director for CNN.
Career in Media
From Comedy to Journalism
Before becoming a journalist, Anthony Perkins was a professional stand-up comedian. He performed at clubs and colleges across the country from 1983 to 1993. This helped him meet and work with Donnie Simpson as a producer. He also worked in radio for Cathy Hughes at WOL.
Anthony Perkins continues to support his old university. He is an active member of the American University School of Communication's Dean Council.
Television Work
Anthony Perkins started his TV career in the early 1980s. He was a desk assistant for ABC News in Washington, D.C. From 1986 to 1988, he hosted and produced DC20 Breakaway for WDCA.
From 1993 to 1998, he was a weather forecaster at Fox station WTTG in Washington, D.C. He also co-anchored Fox Morning News from 1998 to 1999.
Good Morning America
On March 8, 1999, Anthony Perkins joined ABC's Good Morning America. He became the weekday morning weather forecaster and a features reporter. His famous phrase for local weather was "the weather in your neighborhood." He took over from Spencer Christian.
During his time with Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, and Charles Gibson, Good Morning America became very popular again. Anthony also co-hosted "Stealing Scenes," an entertainment show for ABC News Now. In 2004, he appeared on the ABC show Less than Perfect and was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Return to WTTG and WUSA
On December 2, 2005, Anthony Perkins left Good Morning America to go back to WTTG. He continued as a morning weather anchor. By July 2012, he became the main anchor for the weekday morning news with Allison Seymour. Later, he moved to the evening newscasts.
On January 19, 2019, Anthony left WTTG to focus more on his radio work. However, on October 21, 2019, he joined WUSA in Washington, D.C., for their Get Up DC! morning show. He worked with Reese Waters and Annie Yu.
On January 7, 2020, Anthony Perkins returned to WUSA to anchor Get Up DC! full-time. This job allowed him to keep hosting his radio show in the afternoons.
Joining WRC-TV
On March 3, 2023, it was announced that Anthony Perkins was joining WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. He became a co-anchor for News4 Today, the station's morning news program. He filled the spot left by Eun Yang, who moved to the evening newscast after Pat Lawson Muse retired.
Radio Work
From 1985 to 1992, while doing comedy, Anthony Perkins also wrote, produced, and contributed to The Donnie Simpson Show on WKYS-FM. He later co-hosted The Morning Crew on WKYS-FM from 1992 to 1993.
He was also an occasional guest on The Don and Mike Show and The Mike O'Meara Show. From 2014 to 2018, he hosted his own weekly comedy and entertainment podcast, The Tony Perkins Show featuring Gary Stein.
On December 18, 2017, Anthony Perkins announced he would return to WMMJ-FM 102.3 Majic. He joined Donnie Simpson as the afternoon drive host for a new version of The Donnie Simpson Show. To fit this schedule, he changed his anchoring hours at WTTG to Friday and Saturday mornings.
Awards and Achievements
Anthony Perkins won an Emmy Award in 1988 for his work on DC20 Breakaway. He has also earned another Emmy Award during his career.
Personal Life
Anthony Perkins is married to Rhonda Perkins. She worked as a social services administrator. They have a son named Connor, who was born in September 2003.
