Glenn Beck
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Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck on tour for his book, An Inconvenient Book in 2007
Born
February 10, 1964 (1964-02-10) (age 45)
Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
Occupation
Talk-radio and television host
Religious beliefs
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Spouse(s)
Tania Beck
Children
4
Website
http://www.glennbeck.com/
Glenn Lee Beck (born February 10, 1964) is an American radio and television host, self-described libertarian[1] political commentator, author, and entrepreneur. He hosts The Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Beck also hosts a self-titled television show on Fox News Channel.
In addition to broadcasting, Beck has written three New York Times-bestselling books, and is the publisher of Fusion Magazine. He also stars in a one-man stage show that tours the US twice a year.[2]
Contents
[hide]Personal life
Beck was born in Mount Vernon, Washington in February 1964, and raised a Roman Catholic. His mother and one of his brothers committed suicide and a sibling had a fatal heart attack.[3] He graduated from Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington in 1982.
A 2007 profile in "LDS Living" magazine provides a comprehensive history of Beck's early life and career in radio, and states that his first significant exposure to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came at age 18 when, after graduating from high school, he moved from Washington to Salt Lake City, Utah and shared an apartment with a former Mormon missionary. The article goes on to say that his first marriage ended in divorce at age 30 (1994). He and his second wife, Tania, joined the church in October 1999, partly at the urging of his eldest daughter, Mary, who has cerebral palsy.[4]
Beck was admitted to a special program for non-traditional students at Yale University while he was working for a New Haven-area radio station, having received at least one of his recommendations from Senator Joe Lieberman. During this time Beck took a single theology class, dropping out around the time of his divorce.[5]
Beck is a self-described recovering alcoholic and drug addict.[6] He also has a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. [7] He and his first wife divorced amid his struggle with substance abuse. Beck cites the help of Alcoholics Anonymous in his sobriety, and he eventually converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[8] which teaches against the consumption of alcohol.
By his first marriage, Beck has two teenage daughters, Hannah and Mary. With his second wife, Tania, he has two children, Raphe and Cheyenne. He is currently a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, where, in May of 2008, Beck applied for a special permit to place a six foot wall around his home citing "security concerns" and "angry audiences."[9]
Career
Radio
See also: Glenn Beck Program
Beck began his radio career when he won a local radio contest to be a DJ for an hour, and was eventually granted a part-time job. He hosted Christian radio on Saturday, rock on Sunday and country on weeknights. In the mid 80s he worked at WRKA radio in Louisville, Kentucky as a morning-drive DJ. His show was called Captain Beck and the A-Team.
After graduating from high school, Beck pursued his career as a Top 40 DJ. By the time he was in his 20s, Beck was on WKCI-FM (KC101), a Top 40 radio station in Hamden, Connecticut, hosting the local morning show with Pat Gray. Originally the show was billed as the Glenn and Pat Show. When Gray left the show, Beck continued with co-host Vinnie Penn. While working in Connecticut, he appeared and sang background vocals on The Delrays' Red, White and Blues CD, a fund raising effort by then Governor John G. Rowland produced by guitarist Tom Guerra. The CD was well received and was promoted by a series of live appearances.
The Glenn Beck Program first aired in 2000 on WFLA (AM) in Tampa, Florida, and took their afternoon time slot from eighteenth to first place within a year.[10] In January 2002, Premiere Radio Networks launched the show nationwide on forty-seven stations. The show then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting from new flagship station WPHT. On November 5, 2007, The New York Times reported that Premiere Radio Networks was extending Beck's contract. By May 2008, it had reached over 280 terrestrial stations as well as XM Satellite. It was ranked 4th in the nation with over six and a half million listeners.[11]
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