Steve Irvin Biography: Former ABC15 News Anchor, Health & Life

Steve Irvin: 20-Year ABC15 Arizona News Anchor | Biography

Steve Irvin is a former news anchor and reporter best known for his two-decade tenure at ABC15 Arizona. After retiring from television news in 2022, he transitioned to freelancing as a voiceover artist and producer.

 He joined the station in 2002 as a morning anchor and reporter, eventually becoming the anchor for the 6 PM and 10 PM newscasts.

Over his career, he covered a wide range of stories, from political conventions to international events like the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia.

Steve’s work earned him significant recognition, including four Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards, with accolades for “Best Anchor” in 2004 and 2006.

In November 2021, he announced his retirement from ABC15 to focus on his health, marking the end of an impactful chapter in his journalism career.

Age:

Steve Irvin is approximately 60 to 61 years old as of 2025, having been born around 1963 or 1964. He is of white ethnicity and holds American nationality having been born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin

Wife:

Steve Irvin is married, though his wife’s name is not publicly disclosed. In a Facebook post from September 2020, he celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary, indicating they married in 2016.

He has expressed pride in his wife, mentioning her background as a flight attendant who left her hometown in Washington to explore the world.

Upon announcing his retirement from ABC15 in 2022, Irvin emphasized prioritizing his health and spending time with his wife.

Height, Weight:

Steve Irvin’s height is estimated to be around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), and his weight is approximately 180 pounds (82 kg).

Career and Background:

Steve Irvin is a highly respected journalist with a career spanning decades. He is best known for his nearly 20-year tenure at ABC15 Arizona, where he joined in 2002 as a morning anchor and reporter.

Over time, he became the anchor for the station’s 6 PM and 10 PM newscasts, covering a wide range of stories, including political conventions and international events like peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia.

After nearly 20 years with the station, he announced his retirement in 2022, citing health reasons.

Post-retirement, Irvin has been freelancing as a voiceover artist and producer.

Before his time at ABC15, Steve worked at several other stations, honing his skills and building his reputation as a dedicated journalist. These include:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, Tennessee:

Steve began his career at WTVF-TV, where he gained valuable experience in reporting and anchoring.

This role helped him develop his skills in storytelling and live reporting, laying the foundation for his future success.

KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, Minnesota:

At KSTP-TV, Steve continued to refine his craft, covering a variety of stories and building a reputation as a reliable and engaging journalist. His time here allowed him to further establish himself in the industry.

WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, Minnesota:

Steve’s tenure at WCCO-TV marked another significant step in his career.

He worked on high-profile stories and honed his ability to connect with audiences, which became one of his defining traits as a journalist.

ABC15 Arizona (KNXV-TV):

In 2002, Steve joined ABC15 Arizona, where he truly made his mark. Starting as a morning anchor and reporter, he eventually became the anchor for the 6 PM and 10 PM newscasts.

Over nearly two decades, Steve covered a wide range of stories, from local news to major events like political conventions and international peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia.

His work earned him four Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards, including “Best Anchor” in 2004 and 2006. His dedication and professionalism made him a beloved figure in the Arizona community.

Steve Irvin’s career is marked by a range of impactful and memorable coverage. During his nearly two decades at ABC15 Arizona, he reported on significant events, both local and international.

Some of his notable coverage includes:

• Political Conventions: Steve covered major political conventions, providing in-depth analysis and live reporting. His ability to break down complex political developments made his coverage accessible and engaging for viewers.

• International Peacekeeping Efforts in Bosnia: Steve reported on the peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, bringing attention to the challenges and efforts involved in restoring stability to the region. His international reporting showcased his versatility and commitment to covering stories of global importance.

• Local Arizona Stories: Throughout his tenure at ABC15, Steve consistently highlighted stories that mattered to the Arizona community. From investigative pieces to human-interest stories, he demonstrated a deep connection to the people and issues of the region.

• Breaking News Events: Steve was known for his calm and authoritative presence during breaking news situations. Whether it was natural disasters, political upheavals, or community crises, he provided reliable and timely information to viewers.

Throughout his career, Steve earned numerous accolades, including four Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards, with recognition as “Best Anchor” in 2004 and 2006. His commitment to journalism and storytelling has left a lasting impact on the industry

Steve Irvin worked alongside many talented journalists during his time at ABC15 Arizona. Some of his notable colleagues included:

• Katie Raml: A prominent anchor at ABC15, known for her dedication to delivering impactful stories.

• Nick Ciletti: A skilled journalist and anchor who worked closely with Steve on various news segments.

• Amber Sullins: The Chief Meteorologist at ABC15, providing weather updates and collaborating with the news team.

• Craig Fouhy: A sports anchor and reporter, contributing to the station’s comprehensive coverage.

These colleagues, among others, were part of the dynamic team that made ABC15 a trusted source of news.

Steve Irvin Health Concerns

Steve Irwin, the former news anchor at ABC15 Arizona retired in May 2022 after nearly 20 years with the station, a decision heavily influenced by a significant health crisis.

In June 2021, Steve Irwin experienced a serious health scare when he suffered chest pains. Instead of going to work that day, he went to the emergency room.

This incident was a turning point for him, prompting a reassessment of his priorities. He later shared with The Arizona Republic that his wife walked into the ER and told him, “You need to quit your job,” a sentiment that underscored the gravity of the situation.

In a November 2021 announcement, he cited these health concerns and a desire for a healthier lifestyle as key reasons for his planned exit, though he didn’t leave immediately, opting to scale back his schedule before officially signing off on May 25, 2022.

While the exact medical diagnosis isn’t fully detailed in public sources—such as whether it was a heart attack, angina, or another cardiac issue—the chest pains were severe enough to signal that the stress of his high-pressure job was taking a toll on his well-being.

Post-retirement, Irwin expressed relief and excitement about the next chapter, emphasizing that his priority became “my health and having dinner with my wife” over continuing to report the news.

He had given the decision extensive thought to avoid regrets, indicating the health crisis was a wake-up call that shifted his focus from professional demands to personal well-being.

While he didn’t disclose specifics about ongoing health conditions, the chest pain episode and the cumulative stress of the job were pivotal in his choice to step away from the anchor desk and transition to freelance work as a voiceover artist and producer.

Net Worth:

Steve Irwin, ex-ABC15 Arizona anchor, has no public net worth data. With a 32-year TV career and estimated $98,920 salary, it might be $500,000–$1.5 million, but this is speculative.

Is Steve Irvin Married?

Yes, Steve Irwin, ex-ABC15 Arizona anchor, is married, as confirmed by references to his wife during his 2021 health crisis and 2022 retirement.

How Old Is Steve Irvin?

Steve Irvin is approximately 60 to 61 years old as of 2025, as he was likely born around 1963 or 1964.

Why did Steve Irvin retire?

Steve Irvin retired from ABC15 Arizona in 2022 due to health concerns. He experienced a significant heart scare, which he described as a wake-up call about the stress and demands of his job.

This health crisis led him to prioritize his well-being and family life over his career.

Steve openly shared that he didn’t want to risk his health further, stating that he felt like a “ticking time bomb” and didn’t want to “die in the job.”

His decision to retire was a thoughtful and deliberate step toward focusing on his health and personal life.

Where Is Steve Irvin Working?