Dean Richards is an American broadcaster, entertainment reporter, and critic associated with Chicago’s WGN-TV and WGN Radio. He is best known for reviewing movies and theater productions, reporting on entertainment news, and interviewing prominent figures from film and television.
Richards began his broadcasting career in Chicago after studying at Columbia College Chicago. His professional journey has included morning radio, television voiceover work, entertainment reporting, and radio hosting. His long connection to Chicago media has made him a familiar voice in the city’s entertainment coverage.
Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dean Richards |
| Date of birth | March 31, 1954 |
| Age | 72 years old as of July 2026 |
| Birthplace | Illinois, United States |
| Birth sign | Aries |
| Hometown | South Shore, Chicago |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Broadcaster, entertainment reporter, movie critic, and radio host |
| Education | Columbia College Chicago |
| Known for | Entertainment coverage for WGN-TV and WGN Radio |
| Coverage areas | Film, theater, celebrity interviews, and entertainment news |
Early Life and Background
Dean Richards was born on March 31, 1954, in Illinois. He grew up in South Shore, a community on Chicago’s South Side. This connection to Chicago remained central to his later professional identity.
Richards attended Columbia College Chicago and graduated in the early 1970s. The institution is known for programs connected to communications, media, and the arts, although publicly available biographical accounts do not consistently identify his specific degree.
Detailed information about Richards’ parents, siblings, and private family life has not been widely documented. His public biography is therefore primarily defined by his education and broadcasting career.
Career and Professional Journey
Early Radio and Voiceover Work
After college, Richards entered Chicago broadcasting. One of his early roles involved hosting a morning music program on local radio. This work provided experience in live presentation and helped him develop his on-air style.
He also performed voiceover work for a Chicago television station. Voiceover assignments expanded his experience beyond radio and introduced him to television production.
Entertainment Career at WGN-TV
Richards became widely recognized through his work as a movie and entertainment critic for WGN-TV. His reporting has addressed new film releases, entertainment-industry developments, celebrity news, and interviews with actors and other public figures.
His role has combined criticism with general entertainment journalism. Rather than focusing exclusively on whether a film succeeds artistically, his work has also provided audiences with information about releases, performers, and developments within popular culture.
Theater Criticism
In the early 2000s, Richards became a regular theater reviewer for WGN-TV. This responsibility extended his coverage beyond cinema and into Chicago’s established theater community.
Theater criticism requires attention to acting, direction, writing, design, and the overall effectiveness of a production. Through this work, Richards helped introduce television audiences to stage productions presented across the Chicago area.
Work with WGN Radio
Alongside his television career, Richards hosted entertainment-focused programming for WGN Radio. His radio work has included conversations about movies, theater, celebrity news, and other developments in entertainment.
Working across radio and television allowed him to reach different audiences while using distinct broadcasting formats. His career reflects the versatility required to conduct interviews, deliver reviews, present live programs, and report entertainment news.
Interview with Mel Gibson
Richards received broader media attention following a 2010 television interview with actor Mel Gibson. After the formal exchange appeared to have ended, Gibson made an insulting remark while apparently unaware that the broadcast connection was still active.
The incident circulated widely, but it represents only one moment in Richards’ much longer broadcasting career. Richards’ professional record is more accurately understood through his sustained work in entertainment reporting, film criticism, theater coverage, and radio.
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Major Achievements and Recognition
Dean Richards’ principal professional achievement is his longevity in Chicago broadcasting. He has developed a career spanning radio presentation, television voiceover work, movie criticism, theater reviews, entertainment reporting, and celebrity interviews.
His work at WGN has also contributed to local cultural coverage. By reviewing both national film releases and Chicago theater productions, Richards has connected mainstream entertainment reporting with the city’s performing-arts community.
Although detailed information about formal awards is limited, Richards has established a recognizable professional identity through consistent broadcasting work. His career demonstrates experience across several areas of entertainment journalism rather than dependence on a single program or media format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dean Richards?
Dean Richards is an American entertainment reporter, movie critic, television personality, and radio host. He is primarily known for his work with Chicago’s WGN-TV and WGN Radio, where he has covered movies, theater, celebrities, and entertainment news.
How old is Dean Richards?
Dean Richards was born on March 31, 1954. He is 72 years old as of July 2026.
Where is Dean Richards from?
Richards was born in Illinois and raised in Chicago’s South Shore community. Chicago has remained the center of his education and broadcasting career.
Where did Dean Richards attend college?
Dean Richards attended Columbia College Chicago and graduated in the early 1970s. Publicly available accounts do not consistently specify the degree he earned.
Conclusion
Dean Richards is a veteran Chicago broadcaster whose career has included radio hosting, voiceover work, entertainment reporting, and criticism. Born in Illinois and raised in South Shore, he attended Columbia College Chicago before beginning his professional journey in local media.
His work with WGN-TV and WGN Radio made him a familiar figure in Chicago entertainment journalism. Through film reviews, theater criticism, interviews, and radio programming, Richards has built a career defined by versatility and a sustained connection to the city’s media and cultural communities.
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