Chris Rene Marrou (born November 12, 1947) is former news anchor for KENS 5-TV in San Antonio, Texas from 1973 to 2009. Marrou is known for doing segments where he involved himself in different occupations or tried unique endeavors (such as eating a hot chili pepper). At the end of the broadcast he ran the "Eyewitness Newsreel," for which he added humorous commentary to clips from the news. [1]
Early life
Marrou was born in Nixon, Texas, and moved with his family to Castle Hills, Texas when he was in grade school. [2] He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, Texas. [1] After school he attended Princeton University from 1964 to 1967 to study political science. [2]
Broadcasting career
He returned to San Antonio and worked for WOAI-TV as a reporter, then had a brief stretch in Dallas at KRLD radio. [2] In 1973, Marrou returned to San Antonio and joined the 10 o'clock news team at KENS as the anchor, alongside sportscaster Dan Cook. [2] Except for a brief hiatus in 1980 to pursue an opportunity in Boston (where he presented the 5:30pm news at WBZ-TV, then an NBC affiliate), held that position until his retirement in 2009. [2] KENS 5 news dominated the 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM news slots during the Marrou era. [3]
Over his broadcasting career Marrou won several awards, including:
- Best Anchor in San Antonio 2007, San Antonio Current Reader Picks [4]
- Best TV Newscast, 1995 and 1997, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters [5]
- Best TV News Writing 1988, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters [5]
- Best TV News Series 1988, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters [5]
- Top Local News Anchor 1985, Television/Radio Age Magazine [5]
- Best Documentary 1976, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters [5]
- Inducted into the Texas Emmy Silver Circle, 2010. [6]
Law career
In 2007 Marrou received a law degree from St. Mary's University and passed the Texas bar exam in November 2007. [3] In 2010, Marrou was appointed associate municipal judge of Von Ormy in southwestern Bexar County. [7]
Personal life
Chris Marrou is the brother of one-time Libertarian Party presidential nominee Andre Marrou. [8] He married wife Kathy in August 1974; the couple has twin daughters, Molly and Mirage, born in 1988. [2]
References
- ^ a b "Ex-San Antonio TV anchor star Chris Marrou returning to KENS". San Antonio Express-News. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "End of an era for S.A. TV news". San Antonio Express-News. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ a b "KENS 5's Chris Marrou announces retirement". KENS. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Reader's Pick Media". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Chris Marrou: Through the Years". KENS. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "2010 Silver Circle Inductee Chris Marrou - National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences – Lone Star". Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Von Ormy plans end to property tax". San Antonio Express-News. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Marrou outpolls competitors in first town to report results". San Antonio Express-News. Associated Press. February 18, 1992. Retrieved May 8, 2012.