Marvin Schlossberg, known professionally as Sonny Eliot[1] (December 5, 1920 – November 16, 2012), was an American meteorologist, actor and comedian, who was known for making jokes during his weather broadcasts.

Sonny Elliot
Born
Marvin Schlossberg

(1920-12-05)December 5, 1920
DiedNovember 16, 2012(2012-11-16) (aged 91)
Occupation(s)Weatherman, actor, and comedian
Years active1947–2010
Notable workAt The Zoo

Biography

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Sonny Eliot was born on December 5, 1920, as the youngest of seven children, into a Jewish family.[2] Elliot attended Wayne State University,[3] and served in World War II as a B-24 bomber pilot.[4] During the war he spent 18 months as a prisoner of war.[5] He became a weatherman in 1947. He was known for his jokes during broadcasts.[6]

Eliot started broadcasting Detroit weather on WWJ-TV (now WDIV-TV on channel 4) from the 1947 to 1980.[7] He later forecasted for WJBK-TV (channel 2) Detroit from 1980 to 1983,[8] and also hosted a movie series on WKBD-TV (channel 50).[9][10] He was known for his jokes during his weather broadcast and combining words together. He also hosted the Detroit show At The Zoo,[11][12] which was filmed at the Detroit Zoo. It would last 17 years,[13] and aired on WWJ-TV/WDIV-TV.[14] Elliot also appeared on many TV shows and commercials.[15]

In 2005 Eliot was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.[16] Eliot retired from broadcasting in September 2010 and died on November 16, 2012, at the age of 91.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Wayne State University hosted a tribute for Eliot.[27][3]

References

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  1. ^ MeatballMeatball (2023-09-22). "Do You Remember Detroit's Wacky Weatherman Sonny Eliot?". 1077 WRKR. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  2. ^ "Eliot, Marvin "Sonny"". The Zekelman Holocaust Center. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  3. ^ a b "Wayne State celebrates the life of Sonny Eliot, 12/6... - Department of Communication - Wayne State University". comm.wayne.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  4. ^ "Veteran Detroit broadcaster 'Sonny' Eliot dies". The Oakland Press. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  5. ^ "WWII Vet and Famed Detroit Broadcaster Sonny Eliot Dies at 91". www.globeatwar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  6. ^ "Eliot, Sonny". Detroit Historical Society. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  7. ^ "Veteran Detroit broadcaster 'Sonny' Eliot dies". Michigan Radio. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  8. ^ "Sonny Eliot leaving Ch. 4". Detroit Free Press. 1980-01-04. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  9. ^ "Sonny Eliot, Detroit's Funny Weatherman, Is Dead At 91". www.deadlinedetroit.com. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  10. ^ "Sonny Eliot, 91 - Detroit broadcasting legend". alt.obituaries.narkive.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  11. ^ "DZS Timeline". Detroit Zoo. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  12. ^ MeatballMeatball (2023-09-22). "Do You Remember Detroit's Wacky Weatherman Sonny Eliot?". Cars 108. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  13. ^ "Marvin "Sonny" Eliot | Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame". mijournalismhalloffame.org. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  14. ^ "WWJ Newsradio 950 Our Staff". Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  15. ^ "Veteran Detroit broadcaster 'Sonny' Eliot dies". Washington Examiner. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  16. ^ "Marvin "Sonny" Eliot | Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame". mijournalismhalloffame.org. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  17. ^ "Beloved Detroit Weatherman Sonny Eliot Dies - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  18. ^ Burns, Gus (2012-11-16). "Endearing Detroit weatherman Sonny Eliot dies 'peacefully' at 91 (with video)". mlive. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  19. ^ "Legendary Detroit weatherman Sonny Eliot dies". WDIV. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  20. ^ "Sonny Eliot, legendary Detroit weatherman, dead at 91". Crain's Detroit Business. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  21. ^ "Sonny Eliot dies at the age of 91". WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  22. ^ "Veteran Detroit broadcaster 'Sonny' Eliot dies". Monroe News. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  23. ^ "Legendary Detroit Weatherman Sonny Eliot Dies in Farmington Hills Home". Farmington-Farmington Hills, MI Patch. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  24. ^ Burns, Gus (2012-11-16). "Endearing Detroit weatherman Sonny Eliot dies 'peacefully' at 91 (with video)". mlive. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  25. ^ Burns, Gus (2012-11-16). "Endearing Detroit weatherman Sonny Eliot dies 'peacefully' at 91 (with video)". mlive. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  26. ^ "Veteran Detroit broadcaster 'Sonny' Eliot dies". Washington Examiner. 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  27. ^ "Wayne State Hosts Tribute to Detroit Weatherman Sonny Eliot". Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills, MI Patch. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
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