Tom Ellis (journalist)
Tom Ellis (born September 22, 1932) is a Boston-based journalist, well-known throughout New England for his tenure as anchor for three of Boston's network-affiliated stations. His career in television news spans more than 40 years.
His career includes stints as a correspondent for WNBC-TV and as an anchor for WABC-TV – both in New York City, and for KONO-TV Channel 12 (now KSAT-TV) in San Antonio. His radio career has included anchor/reporter duties for KVET-AM in Austin, Texas, KWED-AM in Sequin, TX, and KONO-AM/FM in San Antonio.
Ellis may be the only individual in television history to anchor top-rated newscasts in 3 major markets: San Antonio, TX, Boston, MA, and New York. His newscasts in Boston all have drawn top ratings.
Early life
Ellis grew up in the Big Thicket area of Texas. He is a 1958 graduate of the University of Texas.
Early career
When he was 17 Ellis worked as a sideshow barker, earning $150 per week. Ellis' first job in television came in 1951, when aproducer from New York approached him to host a baseball pregame show for children sponsored by the Curtiss Candy Company. Ellis hosted the Curtis Knot Hole Gang club, a thirty-minute program before the Dallas Eagles and the Fort Worth Cats of the Texas League. He would interview local youth baseball players.