You’ve seen him on your TV for years. If you live in Arizona, Sean McLaughlin is practically a fixture in your living room. He’s that rare broadcast talent who can pivot from a serious evening news anchor desk to explaining the complexities of a desert monsoon without breaking a sweat. But naturally, when someone is in the public eye for decades, people start wondering about the numbers. Specifically, how old is Sean McLaughlin, and how has he managed to stay such a consistent presence in a cutthroat industry?
The thing about local celebrities is that we feel like we know them. We see them age in real-time, yet somehow, they always look exactly the same as they did ten years ago. It’s that "TV magic," I guess.
The Mystery of the "Timeless" Anchor
Honestly, Sean isn't one to plaster his birth certificate on social media. He's a bit old-school that way. However, we can do some basic math based on his career trajectory. He’s been a staple in the Phoenix market since the 1990s.
If you look back at his early days at KPNX Channel 12, he was already an established chief meteorologist back then. Then he took that massive leap to the national stage in July 2004. He moved his family to New York City to become the chief meteorologist for MSNBC. At the time of that move, various profiles and features—including a classic "That's My Dad" piece in Arizona Foothills Magazine—noted he was around 42 years old shortly after that transition.
Fast forward to 2026. If he was in his early 40s during the mid-2000s, Sean McLaughlin is currently in his early 60s.
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He looks great, right? It’s probably all that hiking at Piestewa Peak (or Squaw Peak, as he likely still calls it in his head).
Why Everyone Gets the "Sean McLaughlin" Search Wrong
Here is where it gets kinda messy. If you go to Google and type in the name, you’re going to get a "Who’s Who" of different guys. It’s a surprisingly common name.
- The Bachelorette Contestant: There is a much younger Sean McLaughlin who appeared on Season 20 of The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. He’s a software sales rep from Florida (originally from New York). He’s in his late 20s. If you’re looking for the guy with the French bulldog and the reality TV drama, that’s not the Arizona news legend.
- The Business Mogul: Then there is the Sean McLaughlin who is a high-flying CEO of Alaska Gear Co. and a bunch of other companies. He’s also around 56 or 57, a Harvard grad, and has about ten kids. Different guy.
- The Pro Athlete: You might even stumble across Seán McLoughlin (slight spelling difference), the Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender.
Our Sean—the Arizona Family anchor—is the one who grew up in a tiny town in Iowa. He often talks about his roots, coming from a place with exactly one stoplight and a graduating class of about 55 people. That Iowa work ethic is basically his "brand."
A Career That Defines Phoenix News
Sean’s age is really just a testament to his staying power. Think about the landscape of TV news. It’s usually a revolving door. People use Phoenix as a stepping stone to LA or New York, and once they get there, they rarely come back.
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Sean did the opposite.
He reached the "pinnacle" at NBC and MSNBC. He was doing weather on the Sunday editions of The Today Show. He was the guy they called for hurricane coverage. But in 2005, during a particularly brutal hurricane season, he realized the "national" life was killing his family balance. His wife was pregnant, he was stuck in New York, and he made a choice. He chose the "Valley of the Sun" over the "Center of the Universe."
Coming back to Phoenix to join KPHO (CBS 5) wasn't a step down; it was a lifestyle play. Since then, he’s transitioned from being "the weather guy" to the primary evening news anchor.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
- Versatility: He is one of the few broadcasters who holds a certificate in meteorology (from Mississippi State) but can also lead a newsroom as an anchor.
- Trust: In an era of "fake news" shouting matches, he has that calm, Iowa-born demeanor that feels steady.
- The Family Factor: He’s a "dad's dad." He’s been vocal about raising his four kids (two boys, two girls) and the struggle of being a present parent while working the late-night 10:00 PM news slot.
The Verdict on Sean's Age
While he doesn't celebrate his birthday with a televised countdown, Sean McLaughlin is effectively the "elder statesman" of Arizona broadcast news. Being in his early 60s (likely 62 or 63 as of 2026), he’s reached that sweet spot where he has the authority of a veteran but the energy of someone much younger.
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He once joked in an interview that he knows better than to ask the ladies in the newsroom about age, so he keeps his own details relatively quiet. But the timeline doesn't lie. He’s been a professional voice since 1994, starting in Southern Minnesota before making Arizona his forever home.
If you want to keep up with what Sean is doing now, your best bet isn't a celebrity birthday site—they usually have him confused with the Bachelorette guy anyway. Instead, catch him on the late-night newscasts on Channel 5 or 3TV. He’s usually the one making sense of the chaos while looking like he hasn't aged a day since 2010.
To get the most accurate updates on his current projects or community involvement, follow the official Arizona's Family news bios or his verified social media profiles. Avoid the "celebrity age" aggregator sites, as they frequently blend his biography with the various other Sean McLaughlins in the tech and entertainment worlds.