Mark Kriski Bio, Age, Height, Family, Net Worth, KTLA Layoffs & 2026 Update

Mark Kriski is a legendary Los Angeles weather anchor who spent over three decades as the face of KTLA’s morning news. Known for his charismatic delivery and quirky on-air personality, he became a fixture in Southern California households before his shocking layoff in February 2026. In 2026, he celebrated his 70th birthday surrounded by longtime KTLA colleagues, proving that his legacy extends far beyond the station walls.

Quick Facts

Related Names: Sam Rubin, Frank Buckley, Jessica Holmes, Megan Henderson, Ginger Chan, Eric Spillman, Kacey Montoya, Lu Parker, Glen Walker, Jennifer Gould.

Early Life & Education

Mark Kriski was born on June 29, 1956, in Nova Scotia, Canada, to a family of Polish descent. He spent his formative years in Montreal, Quebec, where he developed a passion for broadcasting and entertainment. A natural performer from a young age, Kriski dreamed of being on television but understood he would need to work his way up through radio first.

He enrolled at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, where he studied Radio and Television Arts. His education gave him the technical foundation and on-air confidence that would serve him throughout his decades-long career. After graduating, he wasted no time launching into the broadcasting world.

Career Journey

Radio Beginnings and Canadian Television (Late 1970s–1990)

Kriski began his career as a radio disc jockey, working at various stations across Canada, including Q-100 FM in Victoria, British Columbia, and 980 AM (CKGM) in Montreal. He also performed commercial voiceovers, which helped him develop the smooth, engaging delivery style that later became his trademark.

His transition to television came in the late 1980s when he joined Canada’s The Weather Network as a weather forecaster. He later worked at CFCF 12 in Montreal as a weatherman and hosted a Canadian travel show called Travel Travel, which aired across North America. These roles established him as a versatile broadcaster capable of handling both serious weather reporting and lighter entertainment content.

The KTLA Era Begins (1991–2003)

In 1991, Kriski made the life-changing decision to move to the United States after accepting a job as the AM weatherman for the newly launched KTLA Morning News. He was the original meteorologist when the station created the program in July 1991, making him a founding member of what would become one of the most successful local morning shows in American television history.

For over a decade, Kriski delivered weather reports with his signature humor and personality, helping to shape the tone and chemistry of the KTLA Morning News team. His approach was never just about reading the forecast — it was about connecting with viewers and making mornings feel lighter and more personal.

Three Decades of Morning News Dominance (2004–2024)

Kriski remained a constant presence on KTLA’s morning broadcasts for over 30 years, becoming one of the last remaining original hosts from the show’s launch. He covered every major weather event in Southern California, from the Malibu fires to the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

His on-air chemistry with colleagues like Sam Rubin, Frank Buckley, Jessica Holmes, and Megan Henderson made him a beloved figure in Los Angeles households. Whether delivering serious weather warnings or cracking jokes during lighter segments, Kriski brought a radio-guy rhythm and broadcaster’s confidence that could not be duplicated.

Throughout his KTLA tenure, he won eight local Emmy Awards for his coverage and earned a reputation as the most popular meteorologist in Los Angeles. He also made occasional acting appearances, portraying a newscaster in the film Speed (1994) and the TV series 7th Heaven.

Health Scare and Triumphant Return (2024–2025)

In May 2024, just days after the tragic death of his close friend and colleague Sam Rubin, Kriski suffered a mild stroke at his Los Angeles home. The stroke was later identified as Wallenberg Syndrome, which involved damage to the brainstem and affected his vocal cords. His wife, Jennifer Gould, told TMZ that he had been hospitalized and was in intensive care.

Kriski described the experience vividly: “I went down like a ton of bricks. I tried to get out of bed and my legs weren’t there. I was tilting to the right all the time, which my stroke seemed to affect”. The KTLA family rallied around him, and viewers across Southern California sent messages of support.

Upon recovery, Kriski revealed more details about his condition: “One of my vocal cords, the right one, was paralyzed. So that’s why I had such a hoarse voice”. Doctors injected a filler to plump up his affected right cord so that both cords could meet and work properly again for speech.

Kriski made his official return to the KTLA 5 Morning News on April 3, 2025. He said that although he’s glad to be mostly recovered, the incident changed his life: “You’re never quite the same. Fortunately, I live very close to Northridge Hospital, which is actually a stroke center. A year ago, I was in a wheelchair and here I am now”.

The Nexstar Layoffs (February 2026)

In a shocking turn of events, Kriski was laid off from KTLA on February 25, 2026, as part of mass job cuts by the station’s parent company, Nexstar Media Group. The layoffs were part of a broader cost-cutting strategy as Nexstar pursued a multi-billion-dollar merger with Tegna.

The cuts also affected fellow longtime KTLA personalities, including weathercaster Kacey Montoya, midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker, and reporter Ellina Abovian. SAG-AFTRA condemned the layoffs, with President Sean Astin stating: “By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest”.

Viewers were devastated. CNN anchor Elex Michaelson wrote on X: “Mark Kriski is an L.A. broadcasting icon. As a kid, the OG KTLA Morning News crew (Carlos, Barbara, Mark, Sam, Eric, Gayle, etc) inspired me to want to be a journalist”. A KTLA insider told The New York Post: “Many of the talent were like family to the station and to LA viewers, the way Nexstar treated them is undignified and cruel”.

Life After KTLA (2026–Present)

Despite the abrupt end to his KTLA career, Kriski has remained in the hearts of Los Angeles viewers. In June 2026, longtime KTLA reporter Eric Spillman shared photos from a birthday lunch honoring Kriski ahead of his 70th birthday. The gathering included familiar faces like Megan Henderson, Jessica Holmes, Ginger Chan, and Frank Buckley, proving that the bond between the KTLA Morning News team extends far beyond the newsroom.

Kriski attended the International Stroke Conference in February 2026 and shared his personal story, continuing to raise awareness about stroke prevention and recovery. He has not announced his next career move, but his legacy as a pioneer of local morning television remains secure.

Career Stats

• Years at KTLA: 35 (1991–2026)
• Emmy Awards: 8 local Emmy Awards
• Original KTLA Morning News Host: Yes (launched July 1991)
• Film Appearances: Speed (1994), Speed 2: Cruise Control, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• TV Appearances: 7th Heaven, Gangland

Personal Life

Family

Mark Kriski was previously married to Samantha Lewis, owner of Digital Playground. They exchanged vows on May 8, 2004, and divorced in 2009. Together they have four children: Jacqueline, Derek, Tamara, and Danielle.

Marriage to Jennifer Gould

Kriski found lasting love with Jennifer Gould, a fellow KTLA broadcaster. The couple announced their engagement on May 17, 2010 — Jennifer’s birthday — after Kriski had recently recovered from a bout of viral pneumonia. They married on September 24, 2011, in an intimate ceremony on the sand at Huntington Beach, followed by a reception at the Shorebreak Hotel. Their dog Cowboy, who sadly passed away in 2015 from cancer, was present at the wedding.

The couple honeymooned in the Florida Keys and have been happily married for over a decade. Jennifer Gould is an accomplished broadcaster in her own right, having worked as a crime reporter and contributor to true-crime television series like My Dirty Little Secret and The Perfect Murder.

Hobbies and Interests

Kriski is known for his adventurous spirit. He enjoys scuba diving, motorcycle riding, traveling, tennis, skiing, and hockey. He also loves spending time with his children and his pets. His passion for life outside the studio has always been part of his charm.

Controversies

Kriski has maintained a relatively controversy-free career, which is part of why he remains so beloved by Los Angeles viewers. The only significant “controversy” surrounding him has been the manner of his departure from KTLA. The Nexstar layoffs were widely criticized as undignified and cruel, with a KTLA insider telling The New York Post: “Many of the talent were like family to the station and to LA viewers, the way Nexstar treated them is undignified and cruel”. Kriski himself has not publicly commented on the layoffs, choosing instead to focus on his health and his family.

Awards & Achievements

• 8-Time Local Emmy Award Winner — For weather coverage and broadcasting excellence
• Associated Press Television and Radio Award — For journalistic excellence
• Golden Mike Award — From the Radio Television Digital News Association for Best Weather Segment
• Original Host of KTLA Morning News — Founding meteorologist since July 1991
• 35 Years of Service at KTLA — One of the longest-tenured broadcasters in Los Angeles history

Physical Statistics

• Height: Approximately 5′ 8″ (173 cm)
• Weight: Approximately 154 lbs (70 kg)
• Hair Color: Grey (formerly dark)
• Eye Color: Blue
• Build: Average
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Quotes

“I went down like a ton of bricks. I tried to get out of bed and my legs weren’t there.” — On suffering his stroke in May 2024

“You’re never quite the same. A year ago, I was in a wheelchair and here I am now.” — On his stroke recovery

“Mark checked in with us earlier on Wednesday and we’re happy to report that he’s in good spirits.” — KTLA statement during his hospitalization

Favorites

• Favorite Hobbies: Scuba diving, motorcycle riding, skiing, hockey
• Favorite Place: Southern California and his home in Los Angeles
• Favorite Career Moment: Being part of the original KTLA Morning News team
• Favorite Pet: His dog Cowboy (deceased 2015)

Earnings

Mark Kriski’s exact salary has not been publicly disclosed, but his estimated net worth is between $2 million and $3 million. His income came primarily from his long-term contract with KTLA, along with commercial voiceover work and occasional acting roles. His 2026 layoff from KTLA likely included a severance package, though details have not been made public. Some sources estimate his annual salary ranged between $40,000 and $110,500 during his career.

Interesting Facts

• Kriski was the original meteorologist when KTLA Morning News launched in July 1991
• He was one of the last remaining original hosts from the show’s launch
• He suffered a mild stroke just days after the death of his close friend Sam Rubin in May 2024
• He portrayed a newscaster in the 1994 film Speed starring Keanu Reeves
• He celebrated his 70th birthday in June 2026 with a reunion lunch with his former KTLA colleagues
• He attended the International Stroke Conference in February 2026 to share his recovery story

Did You Know Already?

• Mark Kriski worked as a radio DJ in Canada before becoming a weatherman
• He hosted a Canadian travel show called Travel Travel that aired across North America
• His wife Jennifer Gould is also a KTLA broadcaster
• He has four children from his first marriage
• He is of Polish descent and was born in Nova Scotia, Canada
• He won 8 Emmy Awards during his career at KTLA
• He was inducted into the KTLA family as one of the original hosts of the Morning News

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @markkriski (official account)
• X (Twitter): @MarkKriski
• Facebook: Mark Kriski (Official Page)
• IMDb: Mark Kriski on IMDb

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mark Kriski’s story is one of resilience, charm, and an unwavering connection with Los Angeles viewers. From his early days as a Canadian radio DJ to becoming the most recognizable weatherman in Southern California, he built a legacy that transcends corporate layoffs. His 2026 birthday reunion with his KTLA family proved that the bonds he formed over 35 years remain unbroken. Whether he returns to broadcasting or enjoys a well-deserved retirement, Mark Kriski will always be remembered as a pioneer of morning television and a beloved fixture in the lives of Angelenos.

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