Bill Carlson
Encyclopedia
Bill Carlson (November 1934 – February 29, 2008) was an American
journalist and longtime television anchor at WCCO
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
. Carlson was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Carlson died of prostate cancer at the age of 73 on February 29, 2008.
in 1951 while still in high school, working as a page. After completing military service, he returned to the station in 1959, working in front of the camera in a variety of capacities. Carlson's extraordinary good looks, winning personality and Scandinavia
n manner made him popular with viewers. In the 1960s he began reviewing films, and was widely respected among colleagues and people in the movie industry alike.
Carlson married fellow WCCO personality and former Miss Minnesota USA Nancy Nelson in 1970.
Carlson has one daughter, Susan, born in 1965.
Carlson was best known as the anchor of the weekday noon news on WCCO, a post he held for over four decades. Despite competent and professional execution of his duties, he was removed from the position briefly in 2003 due to his age. A protest campaign spearheaded by his wife and overwhelming viewer response resulted in his return a few months later.
Carlson was a fixture at the Minnesota State Fair
, having attended over 60 consecutive fairs during his lifetime. He was also known for his compassion and work with animals, including the Humane Society of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota
's Raptor Center, where for years he served on the Board of Directors.
Sarah- oldest granddaughter,
Megan- youngest granddaughter
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist and longtime television anchor at WCCO
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. Carlson was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Carlson died of prostate cancer at the age of 73 on February 29, 2008.
Career
He began his career with WCCO TelevisionWCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
in 1951 while still in high school, working as a page. After completing military service, he returned to the station in 1959, working in front of the camera in a variety of capacities. Carlson's extraordinary good looks, winning personality and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n manner made him popular with viewers. In the 1960s he began reviewing films, and was widely respected among colleagues and people in the movie industry alike.
Carlson married fellow WCCO personality and former Miss Minnesota USA Nancy Nelson in 1970.
Carlson has one daughter, Susan, born in 1965.
Carlson was best known as the anchor of the weekday noon news on WCCO, a post he held for over four decades. Despite competent and professional execution of his duties, he was removed from the position briefly in 2003 due to his age. A protest campaign spearheaded by his wife and overwhelming viewer response resulted in his return a few months later.
Carlson was a fixture at the Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Its slogan is "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." It is the 2nd largest fair in the United States, and the largest state fair in the United States in terms of average daily attendance, though the State Fair of Texas runs...
, having attended over 60 consecutive fairs during his lifetime. He was also known for his compassion and work with animals, including the Humane Society of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
's Raptor Center, where for years he served on the Board of Directors.
Family
Susan- daughter and only child,Sarah- oldest granddaughter,
Megan- youngest granddaughter