Bill Kurtis
Keynote Speaker: TV Journalist, Producer, Narrator and News Anchor; Host of A&E's "Investigative Reports," "American Justice" and "Cold Case Files"
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Bill Kurtis Biography
An acclaimed documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, multimedia production company president, and grass-fed cattle rancher, Bill Kurtis has been earning the respect of his peers and viewers for more than 46 years.
Born in Florida and reared in Independence, Kansas after his father retired as a career Marine officer, Bill graduated from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He attended Washburn University School of Law where he was awarded a Juris Doctor degree.
Bill Kurtis began his career at WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas. In 1966, after being recognized for his 24-hour coverage of a devastating tornado, Kurtis was hired by WBBM-TV in Chicago where he was field reporter and later anchor of The Channel Two News. In 1978, his investigative unit was first to report on the defoliant Agent Orange and how it affected American forces in Vietnam. In the course of covering that story, he returned to Vietnam in 1980 and found that children of American servicemen -- Amer-Asians -- were living in the streets of Saigon, their mothers unable to find jobs. It became a cover story in the New York Times Magazine. His reporting resulted in legislation that (1) allowed the children immediate access to the United States and (2) launched massive studies of Vietnam veterans to make Agent Orange exposure eligible for compensation and treatment. It established a new standard of care for veterans that continues to expand nearly 37 years after the War. In 1982, Kurtis became co-anchor of the CBS Morning News with Diane Sawyer. He returned to Chicago & WBBM-TV as anchorman from 1985-1996 and was reunited with co-anchor Walter Jacobson in the fall of 2010.
Retiring after 30 years with CBS, he established Kurtis Productions, traveling to the far ends of the earth for the Peabody Award-winning series "The New Explorers," which aired on PBS. Kurtis Productions also created programs for the A&E Television Network, including the long-running, award-winning "Investigative Reports" and "Cold Case Files" as well as "Investigating History" for The History Channel. Kurtis has also served as the host of A&E's "American Justice" -- the longest running non-fiction justice series on cable. "Cold Case Files" was nominated for 2004 and 2005 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. Kurtis Productions helped launch the 'golden age' of documentaries on cable television and continues to produce such programming like "American Greed" on CNBC.
One episode of "Investigative Reports" dealt with Richard Speck, convicted killer of eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966. It detailed his shocking lifestyle inside the Stateville Correctional Center, an indication that inmates were more in control of the prison than authorities. It resulted in the most sweeping changes to the penal system in Illinois history.
Kurtis is also an author. "The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice" explores issues surrounding capital punishment in America and "On Assignment" explores some of the major stories he covered in his early career.
In his home state of Kansas, Kurtis is an active conservationist. His 10,000-acre Red Buffalo Ranch is located in the Flint Hills, the largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie in America.
In 2005, Bill founded Tallgrass Beef Company to champion the environmental and health benefits of grass-fed cattle ranching. Today, Tallgrass Beef can be found in restaurants, supermarkets, and on the Internet.
Mr. Kurtis is the recipient of numerous humanitarian, journalism and broadcasting awards.
He is a member of the board of directors of several distinguished organizations including The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Zoological Society, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Field Museum of Chicago and the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield, Illinois.
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Speaking fees for Bill Kurtis, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bill Kurtis, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Bill Kurtis speak about?
Bill Kurtis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as News & Media, Environment, Hosts & Emcees, Television & Film, Health, Sustainability, Literary, Motivational, Broadcasting and Political.
Where does Bill Kurtis travel from?
Bill Kurtis generally travels from Mettawa, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
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Bill Kurtis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including News & Media, Environment and Hosts & Emcees. The estimated speaking fee range to book Bill Kurtis for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Bill Kurtis generally travels from Mettawa, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Calvin Trillin, Linda Ellerbee and Bob Costas. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bill Kurtis for an upcoming event.
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Bill Kurtis Reviews
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Bill Kurtis was great, and everyone who had a chance to meet him had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. We really appreciate his engagement with our representatives prior to the beginning of Commencement. In regards to his speech, there were many positives - his talk was a good combination of sharing his personal passion and connecting those items with our graduates; he used a motivational style and tone; and he shared some knowledge of the college, making it more personal for the audience. The only negative is that he went a few minutes in length beyond our expectation. Overall it was a great experience and we are so glad we were able to have Bill Kurtis as our commencement speaker. Thank you and your team for all of your help in this process!
Rockford College - May 23 2013
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Anchorman Bill Kurtis and partner Donna La Pietra: Local Legends
There was a time, a time before he provided the tongue-in-cheek narration for the movie "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," when Bill Kurtis reigned supreme among Chicago news anchors.
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Broadcaster Bill Kurtis remembers the Topeka tornado, and the warning that spurred people to safety
The family came back together. Those who saw that day, and those who have seen it in the eyes of others, gathered Saturday night at Washburn University to mark 50 years since a massive tornado cut a trail of destruction through the heart of Topeka that fateful evening — June 8, 1966. “Fifty years. It’s like having a family back together,” Bill Kurtis said.
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