Early life and education

Champion was born in Paducah, Kentucky, to Sylvia and James H. Champion in 1961. He has one sibling, sister Teresa. His father, who died October 25, 2010, was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who served in Vietnam. He graduated from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia in 1979. He has a B.A. in broadcast news from Eastern Kentucky University, and interned at WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky.

Career

Champion worked at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky, and WJKS (later WCWJ) in Jacksonville, Florida. He became a weather forecaster for WABC-TV's Eyewitness News in New York City in 1988. He went on Good Morning America at a salary in 2004 of $1.5 million per year. On April 7, 2004, he debuted as host of Sea Rescue, an educational and informational program in Litton's Weekend Adventure that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and in many instances release of animals back into wildlife.

In August 2006, Good Morning America announced Champion would join that show and ABC News, effective September 5, 2006. Champion announced his departure from ABC on December 2, 2013, to become an on-air presence at and managing editor of The Weather Channel. His last day on Good Morning America was December 4, 2013 He was immediately replaced by Ginger Zee.

He has occasionally appeared on Live! with Kelly and Michael, the daily talk show produced by WABC-TV, and CNN's Larry King Live. He often begins his 30-second weathercasts by saying, "Let's get to the boards." His catchphrase when breaking for weather reports from local ABC stations is, "That's the weather around the nation. Here's what you can expect this morning."

Immediately following his departure from GMA, it was announced that Champion would join The Weather Channel to host his own morning show, titled America's Morning Headquarters. It debuted on March 17, 2014. In September 2015, it was revealed that Champion would leave AMHQ to serve as a contributor to its primetime programs.

Champion's new primetime program, 23.5° with Sam Champion, Debut March 22, 2016) It Airs At 11:00pm Tuesday.

Personal life

Champion is active in many charitable organizations in the New York City area. He was the Grand Marshal of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Fall Bike Tour, the chairman of the 25th annual March of Dimes NYC WalkAmerica, and master of ceremonies of "Stopping AIDS Together," a part of Sunday by the Bay. He hosted the New York City Project's 2002 "Courage Awards," along with movie critic Frank DeCaro.

Champion had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his skin in May 2010 while on air, after previous bouts with the disease; he cited that he was raising awareness about skin cancer during Cancer Awareness Month.

Champion and his partner of several years, Rubem Robierb, announced on October 5, 2012, that they were engaged. ). They married on December 21, 2012.

Champion is a big fan of IHOP pancakes and Fanta orange soda, which makes his mornings sound heartier every day.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]