Walter David Jacobson Facts: Bio, Age, Height, Weight, Family, and Net Worth

Walter David Jacobson is an American journalist best known for playing Commentator in Walter Jacobson's Perspective.

10 Quick Facts About Walter David Jacobson

• Full Name: Walter David Jacobson
• Nationality: American
• Profession: News anchor and journalist
• Known For: The radio program Walter Jacobson's Perspective
• Current Role: Radio news personality
• Current Employer: WGN Radio
• Date of Birth: July 28, 1937
• Age: 89 years old
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois
• Marital Status: Widowed

Walter David Jacobson Age

Walter David Jacobson is about 89 years old as of 2026. Walter David Jacobson was born in 1937.

Education

His educational background includes studies at Grinnell College and Columbia University.

• Grinnell College
  • Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
• Columbia University
  • Qualification: Master's degree

Career & Work

Walter David Jacobson's career includes news and reporting roles with WGN Radio, a radio network and WBBM-TV.

Rise to Fame

Notable Works

Notable media work includes Walter Jacobson's Perspective, FOX Chicago Perspective, and CBS Chicago News.

Television

• TV Show: FOX Chicago Perspective (Host, 1993-2006) — Sunday political and current-affairs television programme
• TV Show: CBS Chicago News (News Anchor, 1973-1993; 2010-2013) — Anchored WBBM-TV news, including his celebrated partnership with Bill Kurtis

Radio

• Radio Program: Walter Jacobson's Perspective (Commentator, 2014-2025) — Weekly political and current-affairs commentary on WGN Radio

Books

• Book: Walter's Perspective (Author) — Published collection of reflections and commentary

• Work: Mean Streets (Investigative Reporter, 1991) — Investigative series about homelessness in Chicago

Notable Coverage

• Chicago political and government commentary - WBBM-TV, WFLD-TV and WGN Radio - Produced decades of commentary on Chicago government, public officials and civic affairs

Awards & Achievements

• Multiple Emmy Awards — National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences — Television news reporting, anchoring and commentary; recognized with more than 40 Emmy Awards.
• DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award — Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans — 2025 — Lifetime achievement in Chicago broadcasting and journalism.

Walter David Jacobson Family & Relationships

Walter David Jacobson is widowed. He has 4 children, including Peter Jacobson and Wendy Jacobson.

• Father: Sam Jacobson
• Mother: Anne Jacobson

• Children:
  • Peter Jacobson (1965)
  • Wendy Jacobson (1963)
  • Julia Jacobson
  • Genevieve Jacobson

Lesser Known Facts

• Produced the Mean Streets investigation while disguised as a homeless person.
• His son Peter Jacobson became a television and film actor.
• Worked at three major Chicago television stations: WBBM, WMAQ and WFLD.
• His final regular WGN Radio Perspective commentary was broadcast on March 27, 2025.

Personal Information

• Full Name: Walter David Jacobson
• Popular As: Walter Jacobson
• Gender: Male
• Occupation: News anchor and journalist
• Nationality: American
• Living Status: Alive
• Ethnicity: White

Birth & Background

• Date of Birth: July 28, 1937
• Age: 89
• Birthday: July 28
• Zodiac Sign: Leo
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Measurements

• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Gray

Family & Relationships

• Father: Sam Jacobson
• Mother: Anne Jacobson
• Marital Status: Widowed
• Spouse / Partner: Susan Jacobson

Net Worth & Income

• Salary: $58,000–$252,000 (Estimated range)
• Net Worth: $356,000–$5,091,000 (Estimated range)
• Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work

Related Biographies

• Peter Jacobson(Child • Son and actor known for portraying Dr. Chris Taub on House.)
• Bill Kurtis(Colleague • Longtime WBBM-TV news co-anchor.)

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