Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis, originally named William Horton Kuretich, was born on September 21, 1940, and has made a significant mark as an American television journalist, producer, and news anchor. Renowned for his deep, resonant voice, Kurtis gained widespread recognition through his work as the narrator for A&E's acclaimed true crime series, *Cold Case Files*, as well as *American Justice*.

Kurtis’s journey into journalism began unexpectedly while he was pursuing a law degree in the 1960s. He took a temporary assignment at a Topeka television station, where his compelling reporting on a catastrophic tornado led to a permanent role, eventually becoming a prominent news anchor in Chicago. In 1982, he paired with Diane Sawyer on *The CBS Morning News* and contributed to the *CBS Early Morning News*. His investigative prowess shone through in several CBS Reports, including *The Plane That Fell from the Sky* and *The Gift of Life*.

Returning to Chicago, Kurtis established Kurtis Productions, which produced nearly 500 documentaries, including *Investigative Reports* and *American Greed*. His skills have earned him two Peabody Awards, multiple Emmy Awards, and accolades from the Overseas Press Club, among others. He is also noted for his literary contributions, having authored three books. His influence even reached pop culture, with a board game featured in *South Park*. Bill Kurtis remains a distinguished figure in journalism and documentary filmmaking.