Chris Schauble: Beyond the Desk—The Anchor Who Found His Family and Embraced the Shake

Chris Schauble is more than just the anchor who greets Southern California at 4 a.m. every weekday on the KTLA 5 Morning News.

He is a multi-Emmy-winning journalist, a three-time Ironman triathlete, and a vocal advocate for foster youth.

Crucially, he is also the public face of one of the most emotional personal journeys in modern media: his search for and reunion with his biological family.

From a viral moment of pure human fear during an earthquake to his decades-long dedication to community service, Schauble’s career is defined by his authenticity.

He doesn’t just report the news; he lives a life that makes him one of Los Angeles’ most trusted and relatable figures.

This profile explores the man behind the news desk, tracing his rise from small-market reporting to becoming a fixture in the nation’s second-largest city.

The Moment That Went Viral: Embracing the “Quake Face”

In a career marked by serious reporting on tragedies like the Columbine High School shootings, one fleeting moment of pure, unscripted panic became Chris Schauble’s most famous clip.

On the morning of March 17, 2014, a moderate 4.4-magnitude earthquake rattled Los Angeles. While on air with co-anchor Megan Henderson, Schauble’s eyes went wide, he shouted, “Earthquake! We’re having an earthquake!” and immediately dove under the desk.

• The Reaction: His face—a mix of terror and urgency—was instantly dubbed “earthquake face” and became a widely shared meme.

• The Takeaway: Instead of being embarrassed, Schauble embraced the moment, even changing his Twitter profile picture to the now-iconic image. Seismologists praised his action, noting he followed proper safety protocol. The clip perfectly captured his genuine, human reaction, further endearing him to a city that knows a little shake can happen at any time.

 The KTLA Morning Fixture: A Career Defined by Consistency

Chris Schauble, who is 55 years old as of 2025, has become synonymous with Los Angeles morning news. His journey to the coveted KTLA desk, where he co-anchors the 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. block, was a steady climb through American news markets.

The Rise from Small Markets

Like many seasoned journalists, Schauble’s career began far from the bright lights of L.A.:

• Alabama & South Carolina: Early roles at WALA-TV (Mobile, AL) and WSPA-TV (Spartanburg, SC) served as essential training grounds, honing his on-air presence and reporting skills.

• Birmingham, AL: At WBMG-TV, he served as the main news anchor and even taught Speech Communications at Miles College, showcasing an early commitment to education.

• Denver: Covering Tragedy: His time at KCNC-TV in Denver proved pivotal. Schauble’s coverage of the 1999 Columbine High School shootings was critical, contributing to the station’s regional Emmy win for Best Spot News. His excellence in this market earned him “Television Journalist of the Year” from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists in 2000.

Landing in Los Angeles

Schauble first arrived in Los Angeles in 2001, joining KNBC-TV (NBC 4) where he spent a decade, including a run as a co-anchor on “Today In L.A.” before making the significant move to KTLA in March 2011.

“I’m in makeup by 3:05, then I go to my office and copy-edit scripts until about 10 minutes before 4 a.m. Then I make the 20-yard walk from my office to our set, and it’s time to rock ‘n’ roll…” – Chris Schauble on his relentless morning routine.

His commitment to being an authoritative yet personable presence has paid off handsomely, leading to a host of significant awards.

Award-Winning Excellence: Six Emmys and Six Golden Mics

Schauble’s reporting and anchoring have earned him multiple top industry honors, a testament to his high standards and impactful storytelling:

A Story of Belonging: Adoption, Identity, and Reunion

Perhaps the most impactful story Schauble has ever reported is his own. Adopted shortly after birth in Florida, he was raised by his loving adoptive parents, John and Caroline Schauble.

The Search for His Roots

In 2013, driven by a desire to know his medical history for his daughters, Schauble began a public, six-month journey to find his biological family. The emotional search, chronicled on KTLA, resonated deeply with viewers.

• The Discoveries: Through court records, an investigator, and a DNA test, he learned his biological background: his mother, Virginia Robinson (Italian American), and his late father, John Charles “J.C.” Robinson (African American).

• A Mixed Heritage: The DNA test revealed a mixed ethnicity of approximately 35% African and 60% European ancestry, including 15% Italian/Greek. This confirmed the interracial relationship of his birth parents in the late 1960s, a time when such unions were still often taboo.

• The Twin Brother: In a stunning revelation, he discovered he has an identical twin brother, Bryan Ward, who was adopted separately. The reunion with his birth mother and half-brother, J.C. Robinson Jr., provided a profound sense of closure.

“For me, finding my birth mother was like a weight being lifted off my soul. I didn’t even really realize it was that heavy.”

Finding His “Whole” Family

The decision to share this personal quest highlights Schauble’s dedication to transparency and helping others. His story has since inspired numerous other adoptees to embark on their own searches.

Man, Father, and Triathlete: The Personal Life of Chris Schauble

Beyond the relentless schedule of a morning anchor, Schauble is intensely dedicated to his wife, his family, and his health.

Married Life and Two Sets of Twins

Chris Schauble has been married to his wife, Katrina Schauble (née Jackson), for over three decades, celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary in 2025. Their love story began in 1994 in Mobile, Alabama, after a mutual friend introduced them.

The couple resides in the Santa Clarita Valley area of Los Angeles County. They have been blessed with a truly unique family structure: two sets of twin daughters, conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

• The Legacy Continues: Their older twin, Shelbi Schauble, is following in her father’s footsteps, working as a weathercaster at KSNF/KODE in Joplin, Missouri. Chris often shares his pride in her achievements on social media.

Chris Schauble Family Pictures

 

 

Chris Schauble is married to Katrina Schauble, and they have two sets of twin daughters: an older pair (Sydney and Shelbi) and a younger pair. The family often shares moments publicly, such as graduations, birthdays, and events. Chris has also documented his reunion with his biological family, including his birth mother and identical twin brother.

Fitness and Mentorship

Schauble’s commitment to fitness is legendary in the KTLA newsroom. He is a passionate athlete who has successfully completed three Ironman triathlons, including the challenging Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii—a feat of extreme endurance that requires a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.

His athletic drive extends to youth mentorship: he spent eight years as a USATF Level 1 Coach, coaching youth track in the greater Los Angeles area and helping dozens of young athletes achieve All-American status.

• Height: Chris Schauble stands at an athletic 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters).

Community Work and Legacy of Service

Schauble’s personal experience as an adoptee has fueled a deep commitment to philanthropy, particularly for vulnerable children.

• Advocate for Foster Youth: He dedicates extensive time to organizations supporting foster children and those nearing emancipation. In 2018, United Friends of the Children honored him as “Man of the Year” for his impactful work.

• Professional Affiliations: He is a prominent member of several civic and professional organizations that promote diversity and excellence in media, including:

  • National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

This tireless community service, combined with his journalistic professionalism, has earned him multiple recognitions from the City and County of Los Angeles.

Chris Schauble Net Worth & Salary (2025 Estimate)

Given his decades of experience in major markets and his current position as a senior anchor in Los Angeles, Chris Schauble has built a solid financial standing.

• Estimated Annual Salary: Based on industry standards for an anchor in a top-two U.S. market, Schauble’s salary is estimated to range between $80,000 and $120,000.

• Estimated Net Worth (2025): His accumulated wealth from his long and decorated career, endorsements, and speaking engagements is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.

Off the Clock: Schauble Beyond the Hard News

In addition to the rigorous demands of the morning news, Schauble co-hosts the digital series “Off The Clock” on the KTLA+ app.

This platform allows him and his colleagues to explore lighter topics, lifestyle, and entertainment, showcasing a more relaxed and humorous side of the anchors that viewers rarely see during the 4 a.m. news cycle.

It’s a vital way for him to connect with the audience outside of breaking news and weather.

Where is Chris Schauble Now? (Current Status)

As of late 2025, Chris Schauble remains a central and highly visible figure in Southern California media.

He is the co-anchor for the highly-rated KTLA 5 Morning News and continues his active work with foster youth and community engagement across the Los Angeles area.

He shows no signs of slowing down his demanding schedule, fueled by the same energy that carried him across three Ironman finish lines.

📰 Chris Schauble’s KTLA Colleagues

Schauble’s success is shared with the dynamic team that powers the KTLA 5 Morning News, creating the on-screen chemistry viewers love:

🌟 Biography Summary: Chris Schauble at a Glance

Verifiable Sources and Citations

1. 1. KTLA Official Author Bio (Current Role, Awards, Career).

   2. Fort Lewis College Alumni Profile (Education, Distinguished Alumni Award).

   3. KTLA 5 Morning News Broadcast Archives (Current work, Colleagues).

   4. KTLA/KHTS Radio Interviews (Anecdotes, Adoption Journey, Family details, Columbine experience).

   5. KTLA News Special Reports on the Adoption Search (Birth parents, Identical twin, Mixed heritage details).

   6. United Friends of the Children (Man of the Year Award, Community Work).

   7. USATF Level 1 Coach certification (Athletics, Youth coaching).

   8. LA Times / Southern California media reports on the 2014 Earthquake (Viral moment).

   9. Broadcast industry standards and analysis (Salary and Net Worth estimates based on market size and role).

   10. Social Media Profiles (Confirmation of Wife, Daughters’ names, Anniversary date).

   11. Colorado Association of Black Journalists (TV Journalist of the Year Award).