John Kelly was a Detroit television broadcast legend! In a highly competitive business where personalities come and go, he was a household fixture. Detroiters loved him and he loved them back. Kelly will always be a key part of Channel 7’s rich history. We mourn his passing at age 88 but celebrate his contributions to this TV market.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, John came to Detroit in 1965 to be a news anchor at WJBK-TV, now Fox 2. But a few years later, he joined the WXYZ “Action News” team. Along with Bill Bonds, Al Ackerman, Marilyn Turner and Jac LeGoff, he was part of the broadcast group that everyone in town wanted to see together on 7.
Eventually, John and Marilyn had more in common than the anchor desk. They married in 1975 and kicked off the long-running Kelly & Company morning talk show three years later. In 1984, they added Good Afternoon Detroit to their daily repertoire. They were Detroit’s premier Hollywood-style couple.
As a team player and as an individual, John used his versatility to help build TV-7 into one of the nation’s most iconic stations. We will always be indebted to John for his tireless work, professional creativity and strong commitment to broadcast excellence. His signature laugh will stick in our memory like glue.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Marilyn, and the entire family. Take pride in knowing the name, John Kelly, will always be synonymous with Channel 7 and Detroit television.
I’m Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager
Broadcast: September 22 - 25, 2016
