Longtime ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ anchor and radio host was 91
Charles Osgood, who anchored “CBS Sunday Morning” for 22 years and hosted his longtime radio show “The Osgood File,” has died. He was 91.
CBS News announced Osgood’s passing Tuesday. The former journalist died at his New Jersey home from dementia, kin said.
“Charlie absolutely loved being part of the ‘Sunday Morning’ community,” his family said in a statement to the outlet.
“We’ll miss him terribly, but there is comfort in knowing his life was charmed, in large part thanks to you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for welcoming him into your homes on Sundays to share stories, and to highlight the better parts of humanity. He’ll see you on the radio,” they referenced Osgood’s signature TV signoff.
The Bronx native graduated from Fordham University in The Bronx with an economics degree in 1954 — once quipping he hung out more in the school’s famous radio station, WFUV, than classes.
He went on to work at CBS News for 45 years before retiring in 2016.
Osgood began as an anchor for “CBS Sunday Morning” in 1994. The show reached its highest ratings levels in three decades during his run, according to the network.
“For years now people — even friends and family — have been asking me why I keep doing this considering my age,” Osgood said when he retired at 84.
“It’s just that it’s been such a joy doing it,” he added. “Who wouldn’t want to be the one who gets to introduce these terrific storytellers and the producers and writers and others who put this wonderful show together.”
He continued hosting “The Osgood File” until 2017, when he was forced to stop for health reasons.
“Although I was very much looking forward to continuing … unfortunately my health and doctors will now not allow it,” he announced at the time. “So I will retire from ‘The Osgood File’ and radio at the end of the year with great appreciation for all the success we’ve had together.”
Osgood won three Daytime Emmys during his “CBS Sunday Morning” stint.
Fans might also recognize his voice as the narrator of the animated “Horton Hears a Who!” movie in 2008.
Osgood and his wife Jean Crafton had five kids, Kathleen, Winston, Anne Elizabeth, Emily Jean and James Edward.
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