Today’s Jewish birthday: Ed Schwartz

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Ed Schwartz, 1976 (Photo: Wikipedia)

Ed Schwartz (May 5, 1946 – February 4, 2009) was a Chicago media personality who hosted local late-night radio programs from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He was nicknamed “Chicago Ed.”

A native of the Southeast Side of Chicago, Schwartz’ interest in radio began as a youngster with the gift of a portable radio from his grandparents. He fell asleep each night tuned to the Jack Eigen Show on WMAQ (AM). When his part-time high school job took him to the WLS (AM) studios for a delivery, WLS personality Dex Card invited Schwartz to come into the studio and watch him broadcast. The experience made him even more determined to secure a job in radio. Schwartz graduated from Bowen High School, and then attended Columbia College where he studied radio production. Some of Schwartz’ classmates included Pat Sajak, Bob Sirott, and Bruce DuMont; he was the first of the group to get a broadcasting job. Schwartz also attended Triton College where he became a certified paramedic.

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Tomorrow, May 6: Jamie Gorelick