Phil Ponce is an American journalist and contributing anchor for Wttw.
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Best Known For:The television program Chicago Tonight
Breakthrough:Was born in McAllen, Texas, and grew up in East Chicago, Indiana in 1949
10 Quick Facts About Phil Ponce
- Full Name: Phil Ponce
- Nationality: American
- Profession: News anchor and journalist
- Known For: The television program Chicago Tonight
- Current Role: Contributing anchor
- Current Employer: WTTW
- Date of Birth: September 26, 1949
- Age: 77 years old
- Place of Birth: McAllen, Texas
- Marital Status: Married
Phil Ponce Age
Phil Ponce is about 77 years old as of 2026. Phil Ponce was born in 1949.
Education
His educational background includes studies at Bishop Noll Institute, Indiana University Bloomington, and other institutions.
- Bishop Noll Institute
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
- Field of Study: English
- Period: Graduated 1971
- University of Michigan Law School
- Qualification: Juris Doctor
- Field of Study: Law
- Period: Graduated 1974
Career & Work
Phil Ponce's career includes news and reporting roles with WTTW and PBS.
Organization: WTTW
Role: Contributing Anchor and Special Assignments Journalist
Period: From June 2021, latest independently confirmed historical role
Details: Chicago, Illinois
Organization: WTTW
Role: Chicago Tonight Host
Period: 1999–June 2021
Details: Chicago, Illinois · Returned to Chicago as permanent host of Chicago Tonight, conducting interviews and moderating public affairs discussions.
Organization: PBS
Role: The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Anchor
Period: 1997–1999
Details: Joined the national public television news program as an anchor.
Organization: WTTW
Role: Chicago Tonight Correspondent and Substitute Host
Period: 1992–1997
Details: Chicago, Illinois · Joined the public broadcaster and became a correspondent and substitute host for John Callaway.
Organization: Ameritech Corporation
Role: Manager of International Communications
Period: 1991–1992
Details: Illinois · Worked in international corporate communications before joining WTTW.
Organization: WBBM-TV
Role: News Reporter
Period: Approximately 1982–1991
Details: Chicago, Illinois · Reported for Chicago's CBS television station for approximately nine years.
Rise to Fame
Phil Ponce rose to prominence for his role on the television show Chicago Tonight.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes Chicago Tonight, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices.
Television
- TV Show: Chicago Tonight (Correspondent, Substitute Host and Principal Host, 1992-2021) — WTTW news and public affairs program for Chicago and Illinois
- TV Show: The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (Anchor, 1997-1999) — National PBS news and public affairs program
- TV Show: Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices (Guest Host, From 2021) — Weekly WTTW program covering issues relevant to Latino communities
- Work: Chicago Political Debates (Moderator) — Moderated public affairs debates involving local, state and national political candidates
Notable Coverage
- Chicago political and public affairs interviews – Chicago Tonight – Interviewed political officials, civic leaders, journalists and experts on local and national issues
- Chicago mayoral and gubernatorial debates – WTTW – Moderated debates and discussions involving Chicago and Illinois political candidates
Awards & Achievements
- Honorary Membership — Alpha Sigma Nu — 2007 — Recognition by the Jesuit honor society.
- Studs Terkel Award for Journalism — Contributions to public-interest journalism.
- Award for Excellence in Journalism — City Club of Chicago — Professional journalism contributions.
- IU Latino Alumni Award — Indiana University — Professional accomplishment and alumni recognition.
Phil Ponce Family & Relationships
Phil Ponce is married to Ann Ponce. He has 3 children, including Dan Ponce and Anthony Ponce.
- Children:
- Dan Ponce
- Anthony Ponce
- Maria Ponce
Lesser Known Facts
- Ponce's parents were immigrant steelworkers.
- He learned English after his family moved from Texas to East Chicago, Indiana.
- He spent six years practicing law before entering broadcast journalism.
- Reading about television journalists helped inspire his transition from law into news reporting.
- He was recognized for a measured interviewing style that combined difficult questions with a calm tone.
- He once explored the possibility of becoming a professional actor.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Phil Ponce
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: News anchor and journalist
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: September 26, 1949
- Age: 77
- Birthday: September 26
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Place of Birth: McAllen, Texas
Family & Relationships
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Ann Ponce
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $68,000–$298,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $380,000–$5,422,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Ann Ponce (Spouse • Wife, artist and educator.)
- Dan Ponce(Child • Son and Chicago television news anchor.)
- Anthony Ponce(Child • Son and Chicago television journalist.)
- Maria Ponce (Child • Daughter and photographer.)
- John Callaway (Mentor • Founder and longtime host of Chicago Tonight who selected Ponce as his successor.)
