Rafer Weigel, born Rafer Brian Weigel on May 5, 1969, in New Haven, Connecticut, is an American broadcast journalist, news anchor, and former actor known for his work with WFLD FOX32 in Chicago and as Chief Communications Officer at VetComm.Us in San Diego. At age 56 in 2025, Weigel has an estimated net worth of $1.5–12 million, built through journalism, acting, and his media consulting company, WMG Communications. Engaged to Margie Ellisor and father to Heathcliff John Weigel from his prior marriage to Tiffany Weigel, he navigates a dynamic personal and professional life. This article explores his biography, career, financial status, height, weight, personal life, and more.
Biography: A Journalism Legacy
Rafer Weigel was born into a media-centric family, the son of Tim Weigel, a renowned Chicago television sportscaster and newspaper columnist who died of cancer in 2001 at age 55, and Kathy Worthington, a former WGN Radio news anchor. His grandfather, John Jacob Weigel, founded Weigel Broadcasting and was a radio announcer for Lawrence Welk. Raised in Evanston, Illinois, alongside sisters Jenniffer Weigel, a former Chicago news anchor and author, and Teddi Weigel, Rafer grew up surrounded by media figures like Mike Royko and Studs Terkel. Named after Olympian Rafer Johnson, he embodies a legacy of athletic and journalistic excellence.
Weigel graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1987 and earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992, after studying in London. His early exposure to journalism came through summer internships at WLS-TV, arranged by his father.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rafer Brian Weigel |
| Date of Birth | May 5, 1969 |
| Age (2025) | 56 years old |
| Birthplace | New Haven, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) |
| Weight | Approximately 171 lbs (77 kg) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Parents | Tim Weigel (father, deceased 2001), Kathy Worthington (mother) |
| Siblings | Jenniffer Weigel, Teddi Weigel (sisters) |
| Education | B.A. in Theater, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1992) |
| Current Residence | San Diego, California, USA |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
Career: From Hollywood to Newsroom
Weigel’s career spans acting and journalism, reflecting his versatility. He began acting in high school with the Piven Theatre Workshop’s Young People’s Company, performing alongside future stars like John Cusack. His stage work included Steppenwolf Theatre’s “Master Harold…and the Boys” and roles at Wisdom Bridge, Bailiwick, and Organic Theatres. His first TV role was a small part in “The Untouchables” (1993), filmed in Chicago. In 1993, he moved to Hollywood, hosting for VH1 alongside A.J. Hammer and landing roles in:
- 1995: Small parts in “ER” and “Party of Five” (cut from the latter).
- 1997: Series regular on NBC’s “Jenny” with Jenny McCarthy (canceled after one season).
- 1998: Lead role in the cult film “Free Enterprise” with William Shatner and Eric McCormack.
- 2000: Co-starred in Showtime’s “Rated X” with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez.
- 1997: Played Dark Jedi Yun in “Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II” (video game).
After his father’s death in 2001, Weigel pivoted to journalism, inspired to honor Tim Weigel’s legacy. His Chicago Sun-Times essay about his father led to freelance writing, covering high school sports. He hosted “Celebrity Rock” on WCKG radio and wrote for The Los Angeles Times as a sports clerk and staff writer. His on-camera journalism began in 2005 at KUSI in San Diego, covering live events and breaking news. Key career milestones include:
- 2006–2008: General assignment reporter at KOVR (CBS, Sacramento), covering wildfires and elections.
- 2008–2011: Sports anchor for CNN HLN’s “Morning Express with Robin Meade”, covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- 2011–2014: Weekend sports anchor at WLS-TV (ABC 7, Chicago), following his father’s legacy.
- 2014–2017: Evening news anchor at KTVI (Fox 2, St. Louis), earning an Emmy for Ferguson protest coverage.
- 2017–2019: Weekend news anchor and reporter at WFLD FOX32 (Chicago), later morning anchor for “Good Day Chicago”. Broke the Jussie Smollett fake hate crime story, per Crunchbase.
- 2022–Present: Chief Communications Officer at VetComm.Us (San Diego), focusing on veteran advocacy, and founder of WMG Communications, a visual storytelling consultancy.
Weigel’s three Emmy Awards include accolades for Ferguson coverage and other reporting. A 2019 harassment allegation led to his suspension from WFLD, but the case was dismissed in 2020 for lack of evidence, per marrieddivorce.com.
Net Worth and Salary: A Varied Financial Picture
Rafer Weigel’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $1.5–12 million, with sources varying widely:
- $1.5 million: marriedceleb.com (2022).
- $5–10 million: wikispro.com (2021), citing exaggerated earnings from “Yeezy sneakers” (likely inaccurate).
- $12 million: famousintel.com (2021).
His salary estimates include:
- $76,000 annually as a WFLD anchor (2022, marriedceleb.com).
- $120,000 annually at VetComm.Us (2021, famousintel.com).
- $130,106–$228,488 annually at WFLD (2022, wiki-factor.com).
Income sources include:
- Journalism: Anchoring and reporting for CNN, WLS-TV, KTVI, and WFLD.
- Acting: Roles in “Free Enterprise”, “Rated X”, and TV shows.
- WMG Communications: Consulting for businesses and non-profits.
- Freelance Writing: Contributions to Chicago Sun-Times and Los Angeles Times.
No specific assets like cars or real estate are documented, though he likely owns a home in San Diego. The wide net worth range reflects inconsistent reporting and his diverse career.
Height and Weight: Physical Profile
Weigel stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) and weighs approximately 171 lbs (77 kg), per famousintel.com and fresherpost.com. His light brown hair and dark brown eyes complement a fit physique, maintained through a healthy diet and hydration, as noted in a 2023 fresherpost.com profile.
Personal Life: Family, Relationships, and Resilience
Weigel was married to Tiffany Weigel, a photographer, from June 2002 until their divorce around 2017–2018. They have a son, Heathcliff John Weigel, born November 20, 2009, named after Olympian Rafer Johnson. Weigel frequently shares photos with Heathcliff on Instagram (@rafeweigel), reflecting a close bond, per a 2019 Facebook post.
He is engaged to Margie Ellisor, a news anchor, as reported in 2021 by famousintel.com and whosdatedwho.com, correcting earlier reports of an engagement to Kathy Browne, an international flight attendant and author, in 2018. The Kathy Browne engagement reportedly ended, with no confirmed marriage to either Browne or Ellisor by 2025. A 2019 harassment allegation by a Valparaiso woman, involving explicit photos, led to his WFLD suspension, but the case was dismissed in 2020 for lack of evidence, per marrieddivorce.com. Weigel denied the allegations, and no charges were filed.
Weigel’s volunteer work includes serving on the Advisory Board for the All-Stars Project since 2012, supporting youth development, per marriedceleb.com. His Christian faith, though not publicly detailed, aligns with his family’s values. He remains close to his sisters, Jenniffer and Teddi, and honors his father’s legacy through journalism.
Dating History: A Private Journey
Before Tiffany Weigel, Weigel’s dating history is sparsely documented, with no confirmed relationships. He briefly dated Kathy Browne before their 2018 engagement, which ended, per whosdatedwho.com. His current engagement to Margie Ellisor marks his primary romantic focus since his divorce. Weigel’s privacy limits further details, as noted in a 2016 marriedwiki.com report.
“I’m excited to return to my home state as a newsman. News is my calling.” – Rafer Weigel, marriedbiography.com, 2018.
Unique Insights: A Legacy Reinvented
Weigel’s transition from acting to journalism after his father’s 2001 death showcases resilience, with his Chicago Sun-Times essay marking a pivotal shift, per Crunchbase. His Jussie Smollett scoop in 2019 boosted WFLD’s ratings by 10%, per a 2024 X post by @ChicagoMedia. His three Emmys, including for Ferguson, highlight his journalistic prowess. Despite the 2019 controversy, his return to KUSI in 2022 and role at VetComm.Us reflect redemption and commitment to storytelling, per famousintel.com.
Social Media and Public Presence
Weigel has 1,333 Instagram followers (@rafeweigel), 5,300 Twitter followers, and 6,000+ Facebook likes, per marriedbiography.com. A 2025 Instagram post with his son garnered 500 likes, while X posts from @MediaInsider praise his VetComm.Us work. His low social media activity reflects a focus on professional endeavors over public persona.
Conclusion: A Multifaceted Career
At age 56, Rafer Weigel’s $1.5–12 million net worth reflects his success in acting, journalism, and consulting. Standing 5 feet 11 inches, weighing 171 lbs, and engaged to Margie Ellisor, he balances family with a dynamic career. From Hollywood to Chicago’s newsrooms, his journey honors his father’s legacy. Follow him on Instagram or his IMDb page.
