Whit Johnson Biography: Age, Wife, Career- ABC News Anchor

Whit Johnson Biography: A Prominent Figure in American Journalism

Whit Johnson is an American journalist and co-anchor of the weekend editions of Good Morning America and the anchor of the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight.

He is also a fill-in and substitute anchor for both Good Morning America and ABC World News Tonight.

Early Life and Education

Whit Johnson was born Stephen Whitney Johnson on June 25, 1982, in San Francisco, California.

He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio Broadcasting.

Career

Whit Johnson began his career in journalism in 2005 as a reporter and evening weekend anchor for NBC affiliate KNDO/KNDU-TV in Yakima/Tri-Cities, Washington.

He later worked for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a reporter and evening weekday anchor.

In 2009, Whit joined CBS News as a Washington, D.C.-based network correspondent and fill-in anchor.

During his time at CBS, he covered significant events such as the death of Osama bin Laden and interviewed then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In 2012, Whit moved to KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, where he served as an anchor and general-assignment reporter.

He reported on major events such as the Asiana flight 214 crash landing and the Washington D.C. Navy Yard mass shootings.

Whit joined ABC News in March 2018 and has since become a prominent figure in the network.

He currently co-anchors the weekend editions of Good Morning America and anchors the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight.

He has also served as a lead correspondent during the COVID-19 pandemic and covered the 2020 presidential election.

Awards and Recognitions

Whit Johnson has received several awards for his journalism, including a Los Angeles Emmy for a multipart investigation into auto repair scams and a Golden Mike Award for Best Daytime News Broadcast.

Whit Johnson Age

Stephen Whitney Johnson was born on June 25, 1982, which makes him 42 years old as of 2024. He was born in San Francisco, California, USA.

His zodiac sign is Cancer. He is of white-American ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Parents, and Siblings

Whit Johnson was raised in San Francisco, California, by his mother, Sharon Edell, and his stepfather, Dean Edell, who was a TV and radio host.

His biological father, Steve Johnson, was adopted in 1950 in Salt Lake City, and Whit’s parents divorced when he was a toddler. Whit credits his stepfather with introducing him to the world of broadcasting.

Regarding siblings, there isn’t much information available about Whit Johnson having any siblings. However, through a 23andMe DNA test, Whit discovered that his father had two brothers, which was a significant family revelation for him. The 23andMe DNA test also revealed his Spanish and Native American ancestry.

Wife

Whit Johnson’s wife, Andrea Fujii, is a talented broadcast journalist. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and later moved to New York City with Whit.

Andrea is known for her work as a correspondent and anchor at ABC News, where she hosts “America This Morning” and “World News Now”.

The couple has two daughters, Leah Fuji Johnson and Summer Johnson. Leah was born on May 15, 2012, and Summer was born on July 26, 2014.

They often share family moments on social media, showcasing their close-knit and loving family life.

Whit and Andrea currently reside in the New York area, where they continue their successful careers in journalism while raising their daughters.

Height, Weight

Whit Johnson stands at a height of 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 meters). His weight is approximately 68 to 70 kilograms (150 to 154 lbs).

Career and Background

Whit Johnson began his journalism career at KNDO/KNDU-TV in Yakima/Tri-Cities, Washington, before moving to larger markets.

He worked as an anchor and reporter for CBS News in Los Angeles and served as a correspondent for KNBC-TV in Southern California.

Whit’s career highlights include covering presidential elections, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

His versatile reporting skills earned him widespread recognition, eventually leading him to ABC News, where he has been a key contributor since 2018.

Here are some key highlights:

Early Career

Whit Johnson began his career in 2005 as a reporter and evening weekend anchor for NBC affiliate KNDO/KNDU-TV in Yakima/Tri-Cities, Washington.

He then moved to KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked as a reporter and evening weekday anchor.

CBS News

In 2009, Whit joined CBS News as a Washington, D.C.-based network correspondent and fill-in anchor. During his time at CBS, he covered significant events such as the death of Osama bin Laden and interviewed then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also reported on Capitol Hill and foreign policy issues.

KNBC-TV

In 2012, Whit joined KNBC-TV in Los Angeles as an anchor and general-assignment reporter. He reported on major events such as the Asiana flight 214 crash landing at San Francisco International Airport and the Washington D.C. Navy Yard mass shootings. He also covered Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential run and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

ABC News

Whit joined ABC News in March 2018 and has since become a prominent figure in the network. He currently co-anchors the weekend editions of Good Morning America and anchors the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight. He has also served as a lead correspondent during the COVID-19 pandemic and covered the 2020 presidential election.

Notable Reports

Whit Johnson has covered a wide range of significant stories throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable reports:

• Osama bin Laden’s Death: Whit reported on the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, providing real-time updates and in-depth analysis.

• Hillary Clinton’s Middle East Tour: He interviewed then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her tour of the Middle East in 2011, covering key diplomatic events.

• Asiana Flight 214 Crash Landing: Whit reported on the crash landing of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport in 2013, providing comprehensive coverage of the incident.

• Washington D.C. Navy Yard Mass Shootings: He covered the tragic mass shootings at the Washington D.C. Navy Yard in 2013, offering detailed reports on the unfolding events.

• 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi: Whit reported from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and co-hosted a special report on the Opening Ceremony that won a Los Angeles Emmy.

• 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro: He covered the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and co-hosted a special report on the Opening Ceremony.

• COVID-19 Pandemic: As one of the lead correspondents, Whit reported extensively on the COVID-19 pandemic, providing crucial information and updates to the public.

Additional Imapctive stories:

• 2020 Democratic Presidential Primaries: He covered the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, interviewing several top candidates including Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.

• Pittsburgh Synagogue Mass Shooting: Whit field anchored Weekend GMA coverage of the Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting in October 2018.

• Virginia Beach Shooting: He reported on the 2019 Virginia Beach shooting that left 12 people dead.

• Golden State Killer Arrest: Whit covered the groundbreaking arrest of the suspected “Golden State Killer”.

• Hawaii Volcano Eruption: He reported on the historic volcano eruption on Hawaii’s Big Island.

• San Bernardino Terrorist Attack: Whit covered the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, providing detailed reports on the incident.

• LAX Shooting Rampage: He reported on the 2013 LAX shooting rampage, offering comprehensive coverage of the event.

• Christopher Dorner SWAT Standoff: Whit anchored for nine hours straight during the deadly SWAT standoff with Christopher Dorner, the cop killer who declared war on the LAPD in 2013.

Awards and Recognitions

Whit Johnson has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career, highlighting his excellence in journalism:

• Los Angeles Emmy Award: In 2013, Whit won a Los Angeles Emmy for a multipart investigation into auto repair scams.

• Golden Mike Award: He received the Golden Mike Award for Best Daytime News Broadcast in 2017 while working at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles.

• Emmy Award for Rio Olympics Coverage: Whit co-hosted a special report on the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, which won an Emmy Award.

• Lead Correspondent for COVID-19 Coverage: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Whit served as one of the lead correspondents for ABC News, providing vital information to the public.

• Coverage of Major Events: Whit has covered numerous significant events, including the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the Virginia Beach shooting, and the Golden State Killer arrest.

Whit Johnson has worked with many talented and respected colleagues throughout his career at ABC News. Some of his close colleagues include:

• Andrea Fujii: Whit’s wife, Andrea, is also a journalist at ABC News. They often collaborate on stories and share their experiences in the field.

• Robin Roberts: Whit co-anchors the weekend editions of Good Morning America with Robin Roberts, a well-known journalist and television personality.

• David Muir: Whit works closely with David Muir, the anchor of ABC World News Tonight, especially on the Saturday edition.

• Amy Robach: As a fellow correspondent and anchor, Amy Robach has been a close colleague of Whit’s, and they often work together on breaking news stories.

• T.J. Holmes: Another co-anchor on the weekend editions of Good Morning America, T.J. Holmes has developed a strong professional relationship with Whit.

These colleagues have contributed to Whit Johnson’s success and recognition in the field of journalism.

Net Worth and Salary

Whit Johnson’s net worth and salary reflect his successful career in broadcast journalism. His net worth is estimated to be around $1.9 million.

This wealth has been accumulated through his extensive career in journalism, including his work at KNDO/KNDU-TV, KSL-TV, CBS News, and ABC News.

Whit Johnson earns an annual salary ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. The wide range in reported figures is due to variations in sources and the specifics of his contract with ABC News. His salary reflects his experience, expertise, and contributions to the field of journalism.

Additional Income

Apart from his salary, Whit Johnson may also earn additional income through various projects, appearances, and other media-related activities.

Whit Johnson’s financial success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent in the media industry.

Is Whit Johnson Married?

Yes, Whit Johnson is married to Andrea Fujii, an ABC News reporter. They have two daughters and reside in the New York area.

How Old Is Whit Johnson?

Whit Johnson was born on June 25, 1982, which makes him 42 years old as of 2024. He celebrates his birthday every year on June 25th.

Where Is Whit Johnson Working At?

Whit Johnson is currently working at ABC News. He serves as the co-anchor of the weekend editions of Good Morning America and the anchor of the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight. Additionally, he is a fill-in and substitute anchor for both shows.

Whit Johnson is active on social media. He maintains a presence on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where he shares updates about his work, personal life, and engages with his audience.

You can follow him on Twitter at @WhitJohnson and on Instagram to get a glimpse of his reporting assignments, behind-the-scenes moments, and family life.