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Rick Kogan

Rick Kogan (born September 13, 1951) is a Chicago newspaperman, a Chicago radio personality and a noted author.

Rick Kogan
Born (1951-09-13) September 13, 1951 (age 73)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Occupations
Children1

Early life and education

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A native of Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, Kogan is the son of longtime Chicago newspaperman Herman Kogan (1914–1989) and longtime Chicago literary and journalism fixture Marilew (Cavanagh) Kogan (1919–2007).[1] His parents named him Rick and not Richard as a tribute to Riccardo's, a legendary Chicago restaurant and watering hole that now is known as Stefani's. On the night that Kogan was born, noted author, historian and broadcaster Studs Terkel came over and took Kogan's father, Herman, out for a celebratory drink.[2]

Kogan's first home was in an apartment on the second floor of an old graystone at 1444 N. State Parkway on Chicago's Gold Coast, a building that was demolished in 1959. When Kogan's brother Mark was born several years later, the family relocated to an apartment in Old Town.[3] "Everything swirled around that crazy second-floor apartment in Old Town," Kogan told the Chicago Reader in 2013.[4] "To walk into this living room filled with smoke and clinking glasses and music and Studs (Terkel) and Nelson (Algren), Marcel Marceau, Mort Sahl, (Roger) Ebert -- you don't wind up in life being starstruck after that kind of childhood, and it's served me well."[4]

Kogan attended LaSalle Elementary School in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.[5] and The Latin School of Chicago, Class of 1969.[6] He did not earn a college degree, and worked a variety of jobs in his late teens and early twenties, including as a cab driver.

Professional career

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Kogan earned his first byline in the Chicago Sun-Times at age 16.[7] Although he did not attend college, Kogan continued to write for the Sun-Times, the Chicago Daily News, and then, after the Daily News ceased publication in 1978, returning to the Sun-Times, where he specialized in writing about Chicago's nightlife.[7]

In 1985, Kogan joined the Chicago Tribune, eventually becoming the paper's TV critic and later serving as editor of the Tribune's Tempo section.[7] He currently is a senior reporter for the Tribune, and he also typically writes front-page obituaries of notable figures, particularly those who have worked in the news media, literature, entertainment and politics. Among those whom Kogan has memorialized with front-page obituaries are Milton J. Rosenberg,[8][9] Hugh Hefner,[10][11] Lois Weisberg,[12][13] Dennis Farina,[14][15] Roger Ebert,[16][17] former Chicago first lady Maggie Daley,[18][19] Studs Terkel,[20][21] Floyd Kalber[22][23] Irv Kupcinet,[24][25] Eleanor "Sis" Daley (with Gary Washburn),[26][27] Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz (with Noah Isackson),[28][29] Jeff MacNelly,[30][31] Charles M. Schulz,[32][33] Gene Siskel,[34][35] and Mike Royko (with Jerry Crimmins).[36][37] Kogan also has written inside-the-paper obituaries of graphic designer Art Paul,[38][39] photographer Art Shay,[40][41] artist John Kearney,[42][43] writer Norbert Blei,[44][45] photographer Michael Abramson,[46][47] newspaperman Paul Galloway,[48][49] sportscaster Tim Weigel,[50][51] puppeteer Shari Lewis[52][53] and many others. In addition, he covered Siskel's funeral service.[54][55]

For four years, Kogan edited the syndicated Ann Landers advice column that ran in the Tribune and was written by Eppie Lederer. After Lederer's death in June 2002, Kogan wrote a personal reminiscence about his experiences working with Lederer.[56][57] The following year, he authored a book about Lederer, titled "America's Mom."[58][59]

Kogan has had more than 2,300 bylines in the Tribune since 1985.[60] One of his most popular features, "Sidewalks," is a weekly feature in the magazine that he produced with longtime Tribune photographer Charles Osgood, who retired in 2008.

Kogan previously was the host/producer of Chicago Live!, a radio show produced by the Chicago Tribune and broadcast on WGN Radio.[61] Kogan worked in the late 1980s as a part-time entertainment reporter for WBBM-TV and has worked for WBBM radio as well.[7]

From the fall of 1994 until the fall of 1995, Kogan hosted a Sunday morning talk show called "The Sunday Papers" on Chicago's WLUP-FM. From March 1998 until September 1998, Kogan teamed up with Chicago Sun-Times columnist and noted movie critic Richard Roeper to co-host a daily radio show called "Media Creatures" on Chicago's WMVP-AM. Kogan hosted a Sunday morning talk show called "The Sunday Papers" on Chicago's WGN-AM.[7] He was widely known among Chicago radio listeners for his distinctive, gravely voice, which once was named the best voice in the city by Chicago's alternative Newcity. Kogan left WGN in September 2012 to become the afternoon host on Chicago's public radio station, WBEZ-FM. He left WBEZ in March 2013[62] and then rejoined WGN in September 2013, this time hosting a Sunday evening talk show.[63][64][65] Called "After Hours with Rick Kogan," the show airs on Sunday nights from 9 to 11 p.m.[66]

Kogan has authored eight books, including: Yesterday's Chicago (co-authored with his father, Herman); Everybody Pays (co-authored with Maurice Possley), about the Chicago mob and the retrial of mob hit man Harry Aleman; America's Mom: The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Ann Landers; A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a curse And the American Dream, about Chicago's fabled Billy Goat Tavern; Dr. Night Life, Sidewalks: Portraits of Chicago; and Brunswick: The Story of an American Company from 1845 to 1985.

Personal life

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Kogan has a daughter, Fiona, who lives in Hyde Park with her mother. Kogan lives downtown.

References

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  1. ^ "Marilew Kogan: 1919 - 2007". tribunedigital-chicagotribune.
  2. ^ Taylor, Elizabeth (November 11, 2007). "About This Issue". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  3. ^ Kogan, Rick (December 5, 1999). "The Carriage Trade How The Gold Coast Grew Into A Great Place To Be Born". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Rick Kogan might be sentimental—just don't call him a sentimentalist". May 2013.
  5. ^ Name of School : LaSalle. "LaSalle Language Academy". CPSalumni.org. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  6. ^ "Latin School of Chicago ~ My Alumni Portal". Latinalumni.org. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e "WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own". wgnradio.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2007.
  8. ^ "Milt Rosenberg, longtime host of WGN-AM's 'Extension 720' show, dies at 92". Chicago Tribune.
  9. ^ Kogan, Rick (January 11, 2018). "MILT ROSENBERG: 1925-2018: Radio host shared air with meek and mighty". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Hugh Hefner, Playboy founder who built his empire in Chicago, dies at 91". Chicago Tribune.
  11. ^ Kogan, Rick (September 28, 2017). "HUGH HEFNER: 1926-2017: Influential, vilified publisher began global empire in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Lois Weisberg dead at 90: Tireless champion of city's cultural life". Chicago Tribune.
  13. ^ Kogan, Rick (January 15, 2016). "LOIS WEISBERG: 1925-2016: A cultural force; Longtime Chicago official was tireless champion of entertainment and the arts". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  14. ^ "Dennis Farina 1944-2013: An unmistakably Chicago face on screen".
  15. ^ Kogan, Rick (July 23, 2013). "DENNIS FARINA: 1944-2013: Character actor was authentic Chicago". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  16. ^ "Roger Ebert dead: Film critic had the soul of a poet".
  17. ^ Kogan, Rick (April 5, 2013). "ROGER EBERT 1942-2013: Critic had poet's soul; On the page, on TV and online, Ebert's passions went far beyond the films he loved". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  18. ^ "Former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley dies at 68; 'She was an inspiration for all of us'". Chicago Tribune.
  19. ^ Kogan, Rick (November 25, 2011). "MAGGIE DALEY: 1943-2011: THE HEART OF CHICAGO; Wife of former mayor 'had great dignity, and she was an inspiration for all of us'". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  20. ^ "Studs Terkel dies". Chicago Tribune.
  21. ^ Kogan, Rick (November 1, 2008). "STUDS TERKEL: 1912 - 2008: Chicago's storyteller; An author. An activist. An actor. A radio legend. He was the embodiment of our city. What a life". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  22. ^ "Floyd Kalber".
  23. ^ Kogan, Rick (May 15, 2004). "Floyd Kalber; 1924-2004; Model anchorman ruled local news". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  24. ^ "Kup brought city along to party".
  25. ^ Kogan, Rick (November 11, 2003). "Kup brought city along to party; He hung with royalty and swung with big stars, but the West Side kid never forgot his roots". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  26. ^ "Chicago's 'matriarch' dead at 95".
  27. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 17, 2003). "Chicago's 'matriarch' dead at 95; Wife and mother of mayors influenced a dynasty; Eleanor 'Sis' Daley: 1907-2003". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  28. ^ "Veteran Jurist Beloved for Feisty Spirit, Compassion".
  29. ^ Kogan, Rick (March 18, 2001). "Veteran Jurist Beloved For Feisty Spirit, Compassion". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  30. ^ "'Quiet Genius' with Soul of a Comedian".
  31. ^ Kogan, Rick (June 9, 2000). "'Quiet genius' with soul of a comedian". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  32. ^ "Poignant Ending to 'Peanuts' Saga".
  33. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 14, 2000). "Poignant Ending to 'Peanuts' Saga". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  34. ^ "He Changed the Way We Look at Movies".
  35. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 21, 1999). "He Changed the Way We Look At Movies". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  36. ^ "Mike Royko 1932-1997".
  37. ^ Kogan, Rick (April 30, 1997). "Royko Dies Pulitzer Prize-winning Columnist Was The Voice Of Chicago For More Than 30 Years". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  38. ^ "A tribute to Art Paul, 93, the Chicago designer who gave Playboy its famous look". Chicago Tribune.
  39. ^ Kogan, Rick (May 1, 2018). "Engaging artistry of Art Paul: Playboy art director passionate about drawing, painting". Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
  40. ^ "Remembering photographer Art Shay, 96, whose lens captured Ali, Brando, Brooks and ordinary Chicago". Chicago Tribune.
  41. ^ Kogan, Rick (May 1, 2018). "Art Shay a man of memorable photos". Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
  42. ^ "John Kearney, who sculpted with car chrome, dies". Chicago Tribune.
  43. ^ Kogan, Rick (August 12, 2014). "JOHN KEARNEY: 1924-2014: Sculptor crafted animals, mentored emerging artists". Chicago Tribune. p. 2.5.
  44. ^ "Norbert Blei, 1935-2013".
  45. ^ Kogan, Rick (April 30, 2013). "NORBERT BLEI: 1935-2013: Chicago writer described as 'a powerful fire'". Chicago Tribune. p. 2.6.
  46. ^ "Michael Abramson dies at 62; photographed Chicago South Side's nightlife". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 2011.
  47. ^ Kogan, Rick (March 27, 2011). "MICHAEL ABRAMSON: 1948-2011: Photos of South Side won critical acclaim; Globe-trotting artist found greatest inspiration in the gritty Chicago of the 1970s". Chicago Tribune. p. 26.
  48. ^ "Paul Galloway: 1934-2009".
  49. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 4, 2009). "PAUL GALLOWAY: 1934-2009: Deft newsman, storyteller; Reporter for Tribune, Sun-Times". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.31.
  50. ^ "Tim Weigel 1945 - 2001".
  51. ^ Kogan, Rick (June 18, 2001). "TIM WEIGEL 1945 - 2001 Sportscaster knew how to play". Chicago Tribune. p. 2C.1.
  52. ^ "Puppeteer Shari Lewis, 65, Creator, Voice of Lamb Chop".
  53. ^ Kogan, Rick (August 4, 1998). "PUPPETEER SHARI LEWIS, 65, CREATOR, VOICE OF LAMB CHOP". Chicago Tribune. p. 9.
  54. ^ "Farewell to Siskel Honors Private Side of Public Man".
  55. ^ Kogan, Rick (February 23, 1999). "Farewell To Siskel Honors Private Side Of Public Man". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  56. ^ "Words to live by".
  57. ^ Kogan, Rick (June 24, 2002). "Words to live by; In her 46-year career, Ann Landers held many opinions -- and wasn't afraid to change them as experience dictated". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  58. ^ "Recalling the life and good advice of Ann Landers".
  59. ^ Scott, Gavin (November 2, 2003). "Recalling the life and good advice of Ann Landers". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.
  60. ^ "Archives: Chicago Tribune". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  61. ^ "Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune.
  62. ^ "Shift change: Kogan taking his leave from WBEZ". Archived from the original on January 29, 2018.
  63. ^ "It's showtime for Jimmy Decastro at WGN - Robert Feder".
  64. ^ https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=613717941983988&id=175146445841142 [user-generated source]
  65. ^ "Change of Subject: Roots radio: WGN-AM brings back Kathy & Judy, Cochran as part of a return to the station's past".
  66. ^ "Schedule". March 2, 2021.
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