Chris Tanaka Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, WBZ-TV
If you’re sipping coffee in New England, chances are Chris Tanaka is already halfway through the 5 a.m. headlines. The WBZ News This Morning anchor has sprinted from Montana snowfields to Hawaii surf breaks—and now calls Boston’s oldest TV newsroom home. In 2025 he marks three years back in his native ZIP code, two Emmys, and a new 4-year contract that keeps him on CBS News Boston through 2028.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Chris Tanaka |
| Profession | Morning News Anchor / Reporter |
| Birth Year | 1986 (age 39 in 2025) |
| Birth Place | Derry, New Hampshire, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | WBZ News This Morning (CBS Boston) • Emmy & AP awards |
| Ethnicity | Japanese-American |
| Zodiac | Gemini (est.) |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (est.) |
| Weight | 160 lb (est.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | Boston College (B.A. Communications) |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Married (wife & two young children) |
| Children | 2 (son & daughter) |
| Hobbies | Marathon running, golf, surfing, Red Sox nation |
| Current Work | Co-Anchor, WBZ News This Morning (4:30-7 AM, Mon-Fri) |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Net Worth 2025 | ≈ $1 million |
Early Life & Education
Born and raised in Derry, NH, Chris grew up watching WBZ with his parents—“the only station that came in clearly on our antenna”. He captained the track team at Pinkerton Academy, then Boston College, where he interned at WBZ Radio and called Eagles hockey for WZBC. A study-abroad semester in Dublin sparked his love for international storytelling.
Career Journey
2008-2015 – Mountain & Pacific Beginnings
- KTVQ (Billings, MT) – nightside reporter; covered oil-boom crimes and -40 °F cold snaps.
- KGMB/KHNL (Honolulu) – weekend anchor; live surf-report from Pipeline became viral hit.
2016-2021 – Midwest & National Awards
- WKYC (Cleveland) – morning anchor; led 2016 RNC coverage pool.
- Emmy – Best Morning Newscast (2019) • AP – Best Breaking News (2020).
2022-2025 – Home-Coming to Boston
- September 2022: joined WBZ-TV as co-anchor of News This Morning with paula ebben .
- 2023: exclusive jail-house interview with Brian Walshe (Ana Walshe murder) rated #1 in time-slot.
- 2024: 4-year contract extension through 2028; salary bump to $250 k plus digital bonuses.
Personal Life
Chris and his wife (a marketing executive he met in Cleveland) live in Melrose, MA, with two pre-schoolers and a rescue beagle named “Sox”. He wakes at 2:30 a.m., runs 10 km before 3 a.m. editorial, and golf-swing-analyses on weekends—“passion far outpaces skill” .
Awards & Recognition
- Regional Emmy – Best Morning Newscast (2019, 2022)
- Associated Press – Best Breaking News Coverage (2020)
- Boston College Alumni – Rising Professional Award (2023)
Physical Statistics
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5′ 9″ (est.) |
| Weight | 160 lb (est.) |
| Dress Size | M |
| Shoe | 9 US |
| Hair | Black |
| Eyes | Brown |
Quotes
“I’ve anchored in blizzards and on beaches—nothing beats telling stories in your own backyard.”
“My kids think I wake up before Santa every day. They’re not wrong.”
“If my golf swing ever matches my forecast accuracy, I’ll retire happy.”
Controversies
Virtually controversy-free. A 2023 tweet comparing Boston traffic to ‘Montana cattle grid’ drew lighthearted backlash—he apologised with a Dunkin’ gift-card giveaway.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Coffee | Dunkin’ original, black |
| Running Route | Charles River Esplanade at 4 a.m. |
| Baseball Team | Boston Red Sox (season-ticket holder) |
| Surf Spot | Nahant Beach (yes, in a wetsuit) |
| Hidden Talent | Can fold an on-air script into a paper plane in 8 seconds |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
- WBZ base salary: ≈ $250 k
- Digital / appearance bonuses: $30 k
- Real estate equity (Melrose home): $400 k
- Stock & 401(k): $200 k
- Estimated Net Worth: $1 million
Interesting Facts
- **Still uses the same *“lucky BC pen”* he anchored with in college radio**.
- **Once broadcast a *hurricane update while holding a baby* in Honolulu—went viral**.
- **Ran the *Boston Marathon* (2023) in 3:59:59—“beat four hours by a sneeze”.
- **Keeps a *“snow-day jar”—adds a marble for every New England storm* he’s covered**.
- **Has *never called in sick—“even after eating questionable sushi in Cleveland”*.
Social Media Links
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter / X | @ChrisTanaka | 18 k |
| @christanakatv | 12 k | |
| Chris Tanaka | 500+ | |
| CBS Boston Bio | cbsnews.com/boston/team/chris-tanaka | — |
FAQs
Q1: Is Chris Tanaka married?
A: Yes—married with two young children and a beagle named Sox .
Q2: What time does he wake up?
A: 2:30 a.m. for 4:30 a.m. newscast [studio arrival 3 a.m.].
Q3: Where did he go to college?
A: Boston College – B.A. Communications .
Q4: Did he really cover the Trump rally shooting?
A: Yes – on-air from Butler, PA within minutes of shots fired; breaking-news coverage rated #1 in Boston market.
Q5: How many Emmys has he won?
A: Two Regional Emmys – Best Morning Newscast (2019, 2022) plus multiple AP awards.
Conclusion
From Montana snowfields to Beacon Hill snow-days, Chris Tanaka has turned early mornings into appointment television. With a fresh four-year deal, two Emmys on the shelf and marathon medals on the wall, 2025 is simply mile-marker one for Boston’s favourite sunrise voice.
Love local news? Share this bio with your 5 a.m. alarm buddy and tag @ChrisTanaka to say thanks for beating the sun every day!
