Frank Somerville biography
Frank Somerville, an American television journalist, dedicated three decades of his career to KTVU in Oakland, California. Throughout his time at KTVU, he achieved three Emmy Awards, including one for best on-camera news anchoring. However, his tenure was not without challenges. In 2021, he faced a notable on-air incident where he experienced slurred speech, prompting a personal leave of absence. Additionally, he was suspended that same year due to controversies surrounding KTVU’s coverage of the Gabby Petito case. Ultimately, his contract with KTVU ended in January 2022 without renewal.
Adding to the complexities of his career, Frank Somerville encountered legal issues in June 2023, experiencing two arrests within a single day. These events highlight the highs and lows of his journey as a prominent television journalist.
Frank Somerville age and birthday
He was born on March 19, 1958, in San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Frank Somerville height and weight
He has a height of 1.78m and weighs 72kg.
Frank Somerville educational background
Somerville was brought up in Berkeley. He completed his high school education at Berkeley High School, graduating in 1976. Following this, he pursued higher education at San Francisco State University. During his time at the university, he served as an intern at KTVU in 1981. Upon graduating, he gained professional experience at various local stations located in Santa Rosa, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Providence, Rhode Island, before eventually making his way back to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Frank Somerville spouse and children
Somerville enjoyed a marriage of over two decades with television producer Donna Wright Somerville, and together they have two daughters named Callie and Sydney Somerville. Among their children, Callie was adopted by the couple. Frank frequently shares stories about his youngest child, whom he and his wife adopted during her infancy.
Frank Somerville’s parents and siblings
His name, “Frank,” was a tribute to both his father’s childhood friend, Frank Patty, and his paternal grandfather, William Somerville. However, he has not yet disclosed specific details about his parents and any siblings. We will update you once we have this data.
Frank Somerville’s career
Somerville, an American television journalist, began his career as an intern at KTVU in 1981 while still attending San Francisco State University. Following his graduation, he gained experience working at local stations in Santa Rosa, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Providence, Rhode Island.
In 1992, he returned to the San Francisco Bay Area and assumed the role of co-anchor for KTVU’s morning news program. Notably, he became the inaugural anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast when it debuted in 2005. His career continued to ascend when he was appointed co-anchor for both the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts in 2008, succeeding the esteemed Dennis Richmond. Throughout his extensive tenure at KTVU, spanning three decades, Somerville was honoured with three Emmy Awards, including recognition for his excellence as an on-camera news anchor.
However, his career faced numerous challenges. In May 2021, Somerville took a temporary leave of absence from KTVU following an on-air incident where he encountered difficulties reading the script and appeared to have slurred speech. He returned to his anchoring duties in August 2021. Subsequently, in September 2021, he faced suspension due to a disagreement over including specific information in a news story regarding domestic violence and the “missing white woman syndrome” within the Gabby Petito case.
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In an interview in November 2021, Somerville expressed doubts about returning to anchor at Channel 2. Later that year, on December 30, 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a car accident. In January 2022, his suspension became permanent as KTVU opted not to renew his contract. Furthermore, in June 2023, he encountered legal issues again, being arrested twice within a single day.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Frank Somerville’s career in journalism has been marked by significant contributions and personal trials, offering a glimpse into the complexities of a public-facing career in the media industry.
Frank Somerville net worth and salary
He has a net worth of $1 million.