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Tony Ventrella RIP

Absolute legend.

He was also part of what I view as one of the best anchor line-ups KIRO ever had in the late 1990s, early 00s:
Raible, Hutchison, Wappler, Ventrella.

They were also stacked with reporter talent at the time (many of whom had long careers in Seattle or went on to larger markets / national). First Wappler retired, then they replaced Hutchison with Kristy Lee who was horrible, and then Ventrella bounced.

After leaving KIRO, Ventrella had a short lived stint on the Q13 Morning News alongside Christine Chen. I really liked him in that spot, and thought he had great chemistry with Chen but the ratings must not have agreed because after about a year he was doing weekend sports plus a local affairs program and then quietly left the station entirely.

He made every station he worked for better.
 
I remember Tony Ventrella when I was very little. He was at Q13 at that time. Tony led the way for Paul Silvi to continue in his footsteps. I know he's also mourning him.
May he RIP, and condolences to his family and many colleagues.
 
Feliks Banel dug up some great newspaper clippings about Tony's brief stint at KOMO.

Was hired to do weekend sports after the prior holder of the position (some guy name Steve Pool) moved to news.

Didn't last long because Bruce King returned to KOMO reclaiming the weeknight sports position bumping Tony off of weekends. And then the weeknight sports anchor spot opened up on KING and he bounced.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1848365124890841410
 
@KMan, thanks for posting this article! I was away at college during this time, but I remember coming home one time and seeing Tony Ventrella anchoring the KOMO morning news with Lori Matsukawa (who also ended up at KING). This article confirms that my memory was in fact correct. Obviously, his move to news was brief, but memorable for me.
 
Ditto on posting that article very interesting. I don't recall his barbering skills being mentioned in the articles about his passing.
 
I should add that, in retirement up until earlier this year, Tony did a number of charitable events. He was always happy to attend and share a few words to assist charities. Truly a good man!
 
@KMan, I seem to vaguely remember a commercial for KING 5 News (or KIRO, perhaps) that featured Tony's hair-cutting skills. Does that ring a bell for anyone or am I just having a "senior" moment?
 
formeraa said:
@KMan, I seem to vaguely remember a commercial for KING 5 News (or KIRO, perhaps) that featured Tony's hair-cutting skills. Does that ring a bell for anyone or am I just having a "senior" moment?
Click to expand...
Search Facebook for Chris Cashman's page and you'll see a gallery of promos written and produced by his dad, Pat Cashman. The barber one is included.
 
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