Chris Schenkel
Actor
About Chris Schenkel
Chris Schenkel was not primarily a classic cinema actor but rather a legendary American sportscaster who had a brief foray into acting. Born in 1923, Schenkel became one of television's most recognizable sports voices, covering everything from college football to the Olympics. His smooth, authoritative broadcasting style made him a household name for decades. While he did appear in the 1964 short film 'Peace, Little Girl,' this was an exception rather than the rule in his career. Schenkel's primary contributions were to sports broadcasting, where he pioneered many techniques still used today. He worked for all major networks and became the voice of multiple sports franchises. His brief acting career consisted mainly of cameo appearances where he played himself or other announcer-type roles.
The Craft
Milestones
- Voice of ABC's Wide World of Sports
- Lead announcer for NFL on CBS
- Voice of the Indianapolis 500
- Olympics coverage for multiple networks
- PBA Bowling commentator
- College football broadcaster
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Sports Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1992)
- National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame (1974)
- American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame (1994)
- College Football Hall of Fame (1996)
Nominated
- Multiple Sports Emmy nominations throughout career
Special Recognition
- Indiana Sportscaster of the Year (multiple times)
- PBA Hall of Fame
- Bowling Hall of Fame
- Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Chris Schenkel revolutionized sports broadcasting with his smooth, professional delivery and ability to make complex sports accessible to the average viewer. He helped bring bowling to mainstream television audiences and was instrumental in popularizing college football broadcasts. His voice became synonymous with major sporting events for generations of Americans.
Lasting Legacy
Schenkel's legacy lies in his contributions to sports broadcasting rather than acting. He set the standard for professional sports commentary and mentored countless broadcasters who followed. His work helped establish sports as a major television programming category and influenced how sports are presented to audiences.
Who They Inspired
Schenkel influenced generations of sportscasters with his authoritative yet approachable style. Many modern broadcasters cite his work as inspiration for their careers. His techniques in describing action and engaging viewers are still studied in broadcasting schools today.
Off Screen
Chris Schenkel was married twice and had three children. He was known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft, often working long hours to cover multiple sporting events. He was a devout Catholic and maintained a reputation for integrity throughout his broadcasting career. Schenkel battled throat cancer later in life but continued broadcasting when possible.
Education
Purdue University (graduated 1947)
Family
- Fran Schenkel (1947-1978)
- Debbie Schenkel (1979-2005)
Did You Know?
- Was the first sportscaster to sign a million-dollar contract
- Covered 12 Olympic Games during his career
- Once did play-by-play for 13 different sports in one year
- His signature phrase was 'Hello, everybody, and welcome!'
- Was a pilot and flew himself to many broadcasting assignments
- Served in the Army Air Corps during World War II
- Was a close friend of President Ronald Reagan
- Never missed a broadcast due to illness until his cancer diagnosis
- Was known for his extensive preparation before each broadcast
- Helped establish the Sports Emmy Awards
In Their Own Words
Hello, everybody, and welcome to today's game!
That's one for the record books!
What a spectacular play by the young man!
This is what makes sports so great - the unexpected drama!
In all my years of broadcasting, I've never seen anything quite like this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chris Schenkel?
Chris Schenkel was a legendary American sportscaster who became one of television's most recognizable voices, covering major sporting events for over five decades. While he did appear briefly in the 1964 film 'Peace, Little Girl,' his primary career was in sports broadcasting.
What films is Chris Schenkel best known for?
Chris Schenkel is not primarily known for films, as his career was in sports broadcasting. His only notable film appearance was in the 1964 short educational film 'Peace, Little Girl.'
When was Chris Schenkel born and when did he die?
Chris Schenkel was born on August 21, 1923, in Bippus, Indiana, and passed away on January 11, 2005, at the age of 81.
What awards did Chris Schenkel win?
Schenkel received numerous honors including the Sports Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement, induction into the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and multiple sports-specific halls of fame.
What was Chris Schenkel's broadcasting style?
Schenkel was known for his smooth, professional, and authoritative broadcasting style that made complex sports accessible to all viewers. His signature greeting 'Hello, everybody, and welcome!' became iconic in sports broadcasting.
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Films
1 film
