Mark Curtis 12 News Phoenix Bio, Age, Wife, Salary & Net Worth

Mark Curtis: Channel 12 News Anchor Biography | 12News Phoenix

Mark Curtis is an award-winning American broadcast journalist and news anchor, widely recognized for his decades-long career at 12News (KPNX-TV, NBC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona). Since making his on-air debut in June 1980, Curtis has become one of the most respected voices in Arizona journalism, anchoring the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside co-anchor Caribe Devine.

Career Path and Highlights

Early Career in Sports

Curtis began his career in sports broadcasting at 12News, where he covered two World Series and five Olympic Games. He also served as Sports Director at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, reporting on the Minnesota Twins’ historic 1987 World Series run. Additionally, he worked as the main sportscaster and play-by-play announcer for St. Louis University basketball.

Transition to News

In 2004, Curtis shifted to the news desk at 12News. Since then, he has covered major national and international events, including presidential primaries, inaugurations, and in-depth human interest stories. One of his most impactful features, “Becoming Rachel”, followed a Valley resident’s gender transition journey, reflecting his dedication to telling meaningful stories.

Education and Background

Curtis pursued higher education at the University of Georgia and American University, building the foundation for his career in journalism.

Career Achievements and Awards

Over more than four decades, Curtis has earned an impressive list of accolades, including:

• 13 Emmy Awards for Best Anchor.

• Edward R. Murrow Award and 2 AP Awards.

• Known for covering major events like:

• • Five Olympic Games (including Sochi)

• • Two World Series

• • Presidential primaries and inaugurations

• • Senator John McCain’s funeral coverage in 2018.

His work has consistently highlighted both breaking news and in-depth storytelling, cementing his reputation as one of the most decorated anchors in the region.

Personal Life

Away from the newsroom, Curtis enjoys golfing and vegetable gardening. He also devotes time to philanthropy, including support for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and juvenile diabetes research. His passion for both sports and storytelling continues to shape his personal and professional life.

Coverage of Major Events

Throughout his career, Curtis has reported on numerous historic moments, including:

• Five Olympic Games (through Sochi 2014)

• Two World Series, including the Arizona Diamondbacks’ emotional 2001 victory over the New York Yankees in the aftermath of 9/11

• Presidential primaries and inaugurations

• Landmark community stories that resonated with Arizona viewers

Mark Curtis 12 News Phoenix Age:

Mark Curtis was born on August 30, 1959, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, making him 66 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Virgo. Mark Curtis’s ethnicity is Jewish, and he holds American nationality.

Mark Curtis Phoenix Parents and Siblings:

Early Life and Upbringing

Mark Curtis, the veteran 12News anchor in Phoenix, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he spent his early childhood in a large, close-knit family. Growing up in Milwaukee during the 1960s and 1970s, he was surrounded by Midwestern values of hard work, community involvement, and education.

The city’s rich sports culture—especially baseball and basketball—helped shape his early interest in sports reporting, while his fascination with local news sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling.

Though details about his early schooling remain private, Curtis has noted that his curiosity about news and community life began during these formative years. His academic path first took him to the University of Georgia, where he studied pre-med before shifting to psychology and communications.

He later earned his degree from American University in Washington, D.C., marking his transition from local Wisconsin roots to a broader national perspective in journalism.

Parents

Curtis was raised in a family that valued both professional achievement and community service. His father, Dr. William C. Curtis, M.D., was a respected Milwaukee physician known for his dedication to medicine and public health. His mother, Mary Beth Curtis, was a devoted homemaker who nurtured their large family.

Mary Beth later passed away from pancreatic cancer, an event that inspired Curtis’s involvement in related causes, including TGen’s National Pancreatic Cancer Committee.

Raised in a Conservative Jewish household, the family later became affiliated with Congregation Beth Israel in Phoenix after Curtis relocated to Arizona. Both parents instilled in him a strong sense of ethics and education—principles that continue to shape his journalistic career.

Siblings

As the middle child of seven, Curtis grew up in a lively household with three older and three younger siblings. While he has kept their identities private, the dynamic of a large family gave him resilience, adaptability, and interpersonal skills—traits that are evident in his approachable on-air style and community involvement.

Legacy of Upbringing

The values of family, service, and perseverance from his Milwaukee upbringing remain central to Curtis’s life. After embarking on a career that took him from Phoenix to Minneapolis, St. Louis, and back again, he ultimately settled in Arizona in 1995, where he continues to anchor at 12News.

Mark Curtis 12 News Wife:

Marriage and Family

Mark Curtis has been married to Abby Curtis (née Krigsten) since February 2, 1985. Together, they have three children—Patrick, Alexandra, and Blake—all of whom graduated from Arizona State University (ASU), continuing the family’s strong “Sun Devil” tradition.

Their daughter, Alexandra Curtis, born on December 19, 1991, gained public recognition as Miss Rhode Island 2015 and later became a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army and Rhode Island National Guard.

Their sons Patrick and Blake have pursued careers in business and media. Blake welcomed a son, Mack, in March 2025, making Abby and Mark grandparents for the second time after their first grandson, Evan, was born in March 2023.

Abby’s Background and Early Life

Abby grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attending Temple Beth Israel (now Congregation Beth Israel), where she and Mark would later become members as a married couple. She is the daughter of Dr. Eli Krigsten, a respected orthopedic surgeon who served as the team doctor for the Arizona Wranglers, a United States Football League (USFL) team in the 1980s.

It was through Dr. Krigsten that Abby and Mark met. While covering the Wranglers as a 12News sports reporter in the early 1980s, Mark befriended Dr. Krigsten. During a dinner on a road trip, Mark spilled water and exclaimed “Oy,” prompting Dr. Krigsten to ask if he was Jewish.

When Mark confirmed, Dr. Krigsten suggested his daughter, Abby, as a match and passed along her phone number. Though Mark hesitated to call, fate intervened months later when they met at Temple Beth Israel’s High Holiday services, sparking the romance that would lead to marriage.

Life Together

Abby is an ASU alumna, and she has been a steady partner throughout Mark’s demanding broadcast career. She supported him through their relocations for work—including a move to Minneapolis in 1987, when she was pregnant with their first child, and later to St. Louis—before the family returned to Phoenix in 1995. The couple eventually settled in Scottsdale, balancing Mark’s high-profile news career with family life.

While Abby has chosen a low-profile life away from the public spotlight, she is often portrayed in Mark’s interviews and social media as the pillar of the family—warm, supportive, and central to their enduring marriage. Together, the couple has celebrated major milestones, including their 33rd wedding anniversary in 2018 and 40th in 2025.

Community and Heritage

The Curtis family maintains active ties to Congregation Beth Israel in Phoenix, reflecting their Conservative Jewish heritage. Abby’s roots in the Phoenix Jewish community and Mark’s own background shaped the couple’s shared values of faith, family, and service.

Personal Life

Though not a public figure, Abby occasionally appears in lighthearted 12News segments or in Mark’s social media posts, often during family holidays or adventures. Mark credits Abby with being his anchor at home, providing stability and love as he has covered major national and international events, from the Olympics to the World Series.

Mark Curtis Height, Weight:

Mark Curtis 12 News:

Mark Curtis has built a distinguished broadcasting career spanning more than four decades. Beginning in sports journalism and later transitioning into news anchoring, he has become one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in Arizona television.

Much of his professional life has been centered at 12News (KPNX-TV, NBC Phoenix), where he has spent the majority of his career. Over the years, Curtis has earned 13 Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and two Associated Press honors for Best Anchor.

Pre-1980: Education and Early Broadcasting Interests

• Studied at the University of Georgia, initially pursuing pre-med before switching to psychology and communications.

• Later graduated from American University in Washington, D.C., where his interest in journalism solidified.

• While specific college broadcasting roles are not publicly documented, his passion for sports reporting and storytelling was shaped during these years.

June 1980 – 1987: KPNX-TV (12News), Phoenix, AZ — Sports Reporter

• Made his on-air debut as a sports reporter for 12News.

• Covered national sports events, quickly becoming a recognizable figure in Arizona sports journalism.

• Built early credibility with extensive reporting on local and national athletic stories.

1987 – 1990: KSTP-TV (ABC Affiliate), Minneapolis, MN — Sports Director

• Served as Sports Director, leading coverage of Minnesota sports.

• Reported on the Minnesota Twins’ historic 1987 World Series championship, a defining highlight of his time in Minneapolis.

1990 – 1995: St. Louis, MO — Sportscaster and Play-by-Play Announcer

• Relocated to St. Louis, where he became the primary sportscaster.

• Served as the play-by-play announcer for St. Louis University basketball games.

• While public records do not specify the exact TV station, sources describe this as his “St. Louis stint,” suggesting a mix of local and university-affiliated broadcasting roles.

1995 – 2004: KPNX-TV (12News), Phoenix, AZ — Sports Anchor

• Returned to 12News as a sports anchor.

• Notably covered the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2001 World Series victory over the New York Yankees—an event remembered for its healing significance following 9/11.

• Reinforced his reputation as a leading voice in Arizona sports broadcasting.

2004 – Present: KPNX-TV (12News), Phoenix, AZ — News Anchor

• Transitioned from sports to news anchoring, co-anchoring the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts.

• Worked alongside Lin Sue Cooney until her retirement, then partnered with Caribe Devine.

• Covered five Olympic Games (through Sochi 2014), presidential primaries and inaugurations, and in-depth feature stories such as “Becoming Rachel” about a local resident’s gender transition.

• Inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2022, cementing his legacy in Arizona journalism.

• As of September 2025, he remains a leading anchor at 12News, celebrating 30 years since his return to the station in June 1995.

Career Legacy

Curtis’s career has been defined by ethical journalism, community involvement, and versatility—from sports to hard news. His philanthropic efforts include support for pancreatic cancer research, juvenile diabetes initiatives, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. With his deep roots in Phoenix and long-standing role at 12News, he remains a cornerstone of Arizona broadcasting.

Mark Curtis works alongside a dynamic and diverse team at 12News Phoenix, each bringing their own expertise and personality to the newsroom.

Here’s a snapshot of his key colleagues:

Mark Curtis Net Worth:

Mark Curtis, the veteran 12News (KPNX-TV) anchor, has an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million as of 2025. This wealth reflects his over 40 years in broadcasting, anchoring prime evening newscasts at 12News, and additional earnings from political analysis and authorship, including his 2009 book Age of Obama.

While Curtis has not disclosed major assets publicly, his long-standing career in Phoenix—a top-10 television market—combined with industry stability suggests a comfortable middle-to-upper-class lifestyle in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mark Curtis Salary

Mark Curtis’s annual salary at 12News is estimated at $75,000 to $110,500.

• This places him above the Phoenix anchor average of $61,447 (Salary.com, 2025).

• SalaryExpert (2025) reports the broader Phoenix anchor average at $98,384, aligning with Curtis’s estimated range.

• Senior anchors in Phoenix typically earn $70,000 to $125,000, with Curtis at the higher end due to his seniority, multiple Emmy Awards, and decades of experience.

Despite industry-wide salary pressures from cord-cutting and consolidation, Curtis’s contract likely includes additional benefits such as retirement contributions and health coverage, underscoring his long-term value to TEGNA and 12News.

Is Mark Curtis Married?

Yes, Mark Curtis is married to Abby Curtis, and together they have three children — Patrick, Alexandra, and Blake. Alexandra, born in December 1991, is a former Miss Rhode Island 2015 and a U.S. Army officer. All three children attended Arizona State University, making the Curtis family a proud group of “Sun Devils.”

Is Mark Curtis Leaving Channel 12?

Where Is Mark Curtis?

Mark Curtis is currently working as a news anchor at 12News (KPNX) in Phoenix, Arizona. He anchors the evening newscasts at 5, 6, and 10 p.m., typically alongside Caribe Devine. Curtis has been a fixture in Arizona broadcast journalism since 1980, with a brief stint away before returning to 12News in 1995.

His long-standing presence and award-winning reporting have made him one of the most recognizable faces in Phoenix media.

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