Jan 25, 2008 5:09 pm US/Central
A Look Back At Randy Salerno's Life And Career
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Randy's story is truly one of a local boy who made it in TV. He worked his way up in what is a competitive and difficult business. CBS 2's Jim Williams looks back at Randy's life and career.
Randy Salerno was well-known for his work on the anchor desk, but he was an equally talented street reporter. He was one of the finest writers in Chicago television and he always seemed to use the right words and to make thoughtful observations.
He had his first brush with television in the 1960s, a little boy appearing on Bozo's Circus. Randy graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1981. At 6'6'', he played sports there.
He went on to Illinois State University, showing his broadcasting potential at the school's TV and radio stations. He graduated with a degree in communications in 1985. He went on to work in Rockford and Peoria, where he made his mark with a stunt there people are still recalling – it involved Randy in a Batman costume walking up the side of a building.
He left Illinois for Albany, New York to cover a lot of politics. His work there caught the eye if WGN Channel 9 and Randy fulfilled his dream. He was on TV in Chicago where he always wanted to work.
People all over the world saw Randy essentially playing himself in 1996. He was a reporter in the hit film, Primal Fear, starring Richard Gere. Randy joked he was still getting residual checks years later.
He joined CBS 2 in 2004, teaming up with his old WGN friend and colleague Roseanne Tellez.
His trademark wit and grace handling breaking news served his audience well.
Randy was one of the best ad-libbers in town. He often appeared on Gary Meier's radio show.
He loved Bruce Springsteen, especially Jimmy Buffett, who became a friend.
Randy Salerno could have loved anywhere in the Chicago area, but with his wife Irene and their three young children, he made a home where he grew up – in Crystal Lake.
We often wondered why Randy would live so far away from downtown Chicago. He'd have to get up at 2 a.m. to make it here in time for the morning newscast. Well, he wanted his children to grow up the way he grew up, in the close-knit community he loved. Randy is also survived by his parents; they too live in Crystal Lake and his brother and sister.
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