You've probably seen him on America Reports or perhaps you remember him standing on the White House lawn during some of the most chaotic news cycles in recent memory. John Roberts is a fixture. He’s one of those guys who seems to have been on our television screens forever, yet he maintains an energy that rivals reporters half his age. When people search for John Roberts age Fox News, they aren't just looking for a birthdate; they’re usually trying to figure out how a guy who has been in the business since the 1970s still looks like he could go twelve rounds with a breaking news story.
He was born on November 15, 1956.
That makes him 69 years old. Honestly, if you didn’t know his history covering everything from the O.J. Simpson trial to the Iraq War, you’d probably guess he was a decade younger. It’s not just about the hair—though let’s be real, the guy has great hair—it’s about the stamina. Roberts isn’t just sitting behind a desk reading a prompter. He’s a guy who thrives on the adrenaline of live television, a trait that has defined his career across multiple networks.
From Canada to the White House: The Journey Behind John Roberts Age Fox News
Roberts didn't just stumble into a prime slot at Fox. He’s a Canadian export. He started out in radio in Ontario under the name "J.D. Roberts," which sounds like a DJ who’d play 70s rock, which is basically what he was doing at CHUM in Toronto. He eventually transitioned to City TV and then MuchMusic, Canada's version of MTV. If you go digging on YouTube, you can find clips of a younger, slightly more "rock and roll" Roberts. It’s a wild contrast to the polished journalist we see today.
By the time he hit his 30s, he jumped to the U.S. market. He spent a massive chunk of time at CBS News, where he was often seen as the heir apparent to Dan Rather. He anchored the CBS Evening News on weekends and served as a Chief White House Correspondent. After a stint at CNN, he landed at Fox News in 2011.
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Why does this matter? Because his age isn't a liability; it's his superpower. In an era where news moves at the speed of a viral tweet, having someone who remembers how things worked before the internet took over adds a layer of perspective you just can't fake. He’s seen the shift from film to tape to digital. He’s seen administrations come and go. When he reports on a policy shift, he’s often drawing on conversations he had with officials twenty years ago.
Health Challenges and Resilience
One reason fans are so curious about his age and well-being is that Roberts has been very public about his health. In 2018, he underwent a procedure to have a stent inserted after doctors discovered a 90% blockage in one of his arteries. He didn't hide it. He used his platform to talk about heart health.
Then, in late 2021, he faced another hurdle: a "pacemaker-like" device for his heart.
He’s a survivor.
Despite these scares, he barely missed a beat. He was back on air faster than most people return from a vacation. It’s that old-school work ethic. People often ask if he’s planning to retire soon, especially given his age, but his current contract and his chemistry with co-anchor Sandra Smith suggest he’s not going anywhere. They’ve turned America Reports into a powerhouse in the early afternoon slot.
The Fox News Shift and "America Reports"
When Roberts moved from the White House beat to the anchor desk in 2021, some wondered if he was slowing down. Covering the White House is a young person's game. It involves standing outside in the heat, the cold, and the rain, waiting for a briefing that might never happen. Moving to the studio was a logical step for someone in their mid-60s.
But "slowing down" is the wrong phrase.
The show is fast-paced. It’s two hours of live, unscripted reactions to the day’s events. Roberts brings a certain "no-nonsense" Canadian sensibility to the desk. He isn't known for the high-octane theatricality that defines some opinion hosts. He’s a newsman. He asks tough questions, regardless of who is sitting across from him. This has occasionally put him in the crosshairs of viewers on both sides of the aisle, which is usually a sign that a journalist is doing their job correctly.
Family Life and Keeping Young
If you want to know the real secret to how John Roberts stays young, look at his family. He’s married to fellow journalist Kyra Phillips, who works for ABC News. They have twins, Sage and Edward, who were born in 2011.
Think about that for a second.
He’s 69 with kids who are just entering their teens. That’ll keep you on your toes. While many of his peers are looking at grandchildren and golf courses, Roberts is dealing with middle school drama and extracurricular activities. Being an "older" dad often provides a different kind of motivation to stay healthy and engaged. He frequently shares glimpses of his family life on social media, showing a side of him that’s a far cry from the stern face he puts on for political interviews.
What People Get Wrong About Veteran News Anchors
There's this weird obsession in media with "the next big thing." Networks are always looking for the 30-year-old breakout star. But the audience—especially the Fox News audience—values familiarity. They like knowing that the person telling them about a global crisis has actually seen a few before.
Roberts represents a bridge.
He has the "Big Three" network pedigree (CBS) but fits perfectly into the modern cable news environment. He understands that the "voice of God" style of news is dead. You have to be relatable. You have to be able to pivot from a tragic shooting to a lighthearted segment about a dog.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Veteran Journalists
If you're following the career of John Roberts or other veteran anchors, here’s how to get the most out of their reporting:
- Watch for the context: When a veteran like Roberts mentions a historical parallel, pay attention. He’s likely speaking from personal experience covering that previous event.
- Follow his social media for the "real" story: Roberts often posts behind-the-scenes clips that show the frantic nature of live TV, which gives you a better sense of the work involved than the polished broadcast.
- Check the guest lists: Anchors with decades of experience often land interviews that younger reporters can't get because they have deep-rooted relationships with sources that go back thirty years.
- Listen to the questions, not just the answers: Roberts is known for the "follow-up." If a politician dodges, watch how he rephrases the question. It’s a masterclass in interview technique.
John Roberts proves that age is basically a number in the news business as long as you have the curiosity and the stamina to keep up. He’s managed to navigate the transition from the "Anchorman" era to the digital age without losing his relevance. Whether he's talking about the latest polls or sharing a photo of his kids, he remains one of the most consistent voices in American media. He isn't just a part of the news history; he's still actively writing it every afternoon.
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To stay updated on Roberts' latest reports, the best move is to tune into America Reports weekdays at 1 PM ET or follow his verified Twitter (X) account, where he frequently provides real-time updates on breaking stories before they even hit the teleprompter.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Monitor Morning Schedules: Check the Fox News daily lineup, as Roberts occasionally fills in for prime-time slots or special event coverage.
- Verify Heart Health Advocacy: Look into the American Heart Association resources Roberts has supported; his experience with stents is a great starting point for understanding preventative care.
- Compare Career Paths: Watch archival footage of his time at MuchMusic versus his CBS White House years to see how professional tone and "brand" evolve over a forty-year career.