Jann Carl
Age: 64
Birthplace: Carthage, Missouri
Jann Carl (born May 19, 1960) is a Los Angeles-based journalist and, from 1995 to 2008, correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. She currently is serving as a producer and co-host of the reality television show Small Town, Big Deal on the RFD-TV Network, while also developing series projects as head of her own production company. She has appeared on Candid Camera and America's Next Top Model, and has co-hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for more than 20 years.
Best known for her 14 years at Entertainment Tonight, Carl has built a distinguished television career. nationally respected for her interviews, Carl went on the record with America's biggest stars and most influential newsmakers. The long list includes Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Diane Sawyer, and Barack and Michelle Obama. She also co-hosted the "Oscar Countdown" Academy Awards show, the Emmy pre-show, and the Tournament of Roses Parade on CBS and HGTV.
Her newest role is co-host, vice president of production and part owners of the breakout hit Small Town, Big Deal, a show she calls her "love letter to America." Small Town, Big Deal is a television show that celebrates America by telling stories of small towns and the people that live there - their successes, innovations and history.
Her past broadcast news stops included WLS-TV, Chicago; KABC-TV, Los Angeles; and KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, where throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s she was the co-anchor to the late Los Angeles broadcast legend, Hal Fishman. At KTLA-TV, she earned three Emmys. Carl also founded an independent television production company and co-executive produced a series for The History Channel called Sold!.
Carl has been a friend of the Muscular Dystrophy Association for 25 years including being chosen by Jerry Lewis as a national co-host in 1996. She has also served on the national board of directors and as a national vice president.
Carl was born in Carthage, Missouri. She is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. Carl is married to media executive David Sears; they have two children.