Former CBS Sunday Morning anchor and radio host, Charles Osgood, passed away at the age of 91 in his New Jersey home on January 23. The cause of death was revealed to be dementia. CBS News paid tribute to Osgood’s remarkable career with a video montage that highlighted his journey. Born as Charles Osgood Wood on January 8, 1933, he graduated from Fordham University in 1954 and served as the army band’s announcer for three years. In 1963, he joined ABC Radio and dropped the “Wood” from his name to avoid confusion with another announcer named Charles Woods.
Osgood had a successful 45-year-long career at CBS News, eventually becoming the host of Sunday Morning in 1994, taking over from Charles Kuralt. Kuralt considered Osgood to be “one of the last great broadcast writers” due to his poetic writing style. Osgood retired in 2016 but had also launched The Osgood File, a radio show aired by CBS Radio Network in 1967.
Known for his concise and impactful style, Osgood summarized the format of his radio show with the line, “Short words, short sentences, short paragraphs. There’s nothing that can’t be improved by making it shorter and better.” He also popularized the tagline “see you on the radio,” which he used to conclude his programs on both radio and television.
Throughout his career, Osgood interviewed notable figures from various industries, including chef Julia Child, musician Tony Bennett, and artist Keith Haring. He received several accolades, including a Peabody award and four Emmys.
Charles Osgood is survived by his second wife of 50 years, their five children, as well as his sister and brother. His legacy as a respected journalist and beloved host will be remembered by many.
