Jeff Gianola- KOIN 6 News, Age, Health, Stroke, Wife and Net Worth
Jeff Gianola Biography
Jeff Gianola is a veteran American journalist and the lead news anchor at KOIN 6, the CBS affiliate in Portland, Oregon. With over 36 years of broadcast experience in the Portland market, he has become a trusted and familiar face in local news. In addition to his work in journalism, Jeff is the founder and president of the Wednesday’s Child Foundation, a proud father of five, and even had brief stints in acting, appearing in two independent films.
Before joining KOIN 6 in 1998, Gianola spent 15 years at KATU, Portland’s ABC affiliate, where he served in various roles including reporter, weathercaster, anchor, and host.
Jeff Gianola began his broadcasting career in Santa Barbara, California, working as a general assignment reporter at KEYT-TV. In 1983, he joined KATU in Portland. After working as a weathercaster and morning anchor, he was promoted to evening anchor in 1985, co-anchoring alongside Julie Emry for many years.
In 1998, Gianola moved to KOIN 6, where he has remained a lead anchor. In 1999, he created and hosted a lifestyle program called Quick Tips for Easy Living, which aired briefly on KOIN. Jeff has also produced the documentary No Perfect Answers: The Life and Architecture of Pietro Belluschi.
In addition to his journalism work, Gianola had small acting roles, playing a news correspondent in the 2003 film The Hunted and making a cameo in the 1999 independent film Birddog.
Jeff Gianola Age and Birthday
Age: 69 years old (as of 2025)
Date of Birth: October 2, 1955
Place of Birth: San Diego, California, USA
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Nationality and Ethnicity
Jeff is an American citizen by birth and belongs to White-American ethnic heritage. He was raised in San Diego, California.
Family Background
Jeff was born and raised in San Diego, California. While he occasionally references his upbringing, he has not publicly shared detailed information about his parents or siblings.
Height: and Weight:
Height: Approximately 6 feet (1.83 m)
Weight: Around 174 lbs (79 kg)
Distinctive Feature: Known for his arched black eyebrows and expressive brown eyes
Wife and Children
Jeff has been married twice. He was first married to Marla McDonough from 1978 until their divorce in 1994. The couple had two daughters, Alex and Anna, both of whom are college graduates.
In 1995, Jeff married his second wife, Shannon Dugan, in a private ceremony. Together, they have three children: Jake, Michael, and Eliana. The family resides in Tigard, Oregon.
Did Jeff Gianola Retire
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding Jeff Gianola’s retirement from KOIN 6. He continues to serve as the head news anchor, a position he has held since joining the station in 1998. Gianola remains an active and respected figure in Portland’s journalism community, with no public indications of plans to retire in the immediate future.
Is Jeff Gianola Leaving KOIN 6
There is no information suggesting that Jeff Gianola is leaving KOIN 6. He maintains his role as the station’s lead anchor and continues to be a prominent presence in their news broadcasts. Any rumors about his departure are unfounded, and he remains committed to his work at the station.
National Spotlight: CBS Weekend News
In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff was selected to anchor the CBS Weekend News from the KOIN 6 studios. With CBS’s New York studios temporarily closed, the network relied on its top affiliates to continue national broadcasts. Gianola hosted the national newscasts on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Philanthropy: Wednesday’s Child Foundation
A passionate advocate for children in foster care, Gianola founded the Wednesday’s Child Foundation, which helps fund life-enriching experiences such as summer camps, sports, and arts programs for foster youth in Oregon. His long-running “Wednesday’s Child” segment on KOIN has led to the adoption of many children featured in the series.
Jeff Gianola Health | Stroke| Meniere’s Disease
Jeff Gianola has not suffered a stroke. However, he has publicly shared his experience with Meniere’s disease, a chronic inner ear disorder that can cause episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Gianola has been living with profound hearing loss for several years due to this condition. He has spoken openly about the challenges it presents, both personally and professionally, and has used his platform to raise awareness about the disease.
Salary and Net Worth
Estimated Annual Salary: Between $94,000 and $118,000 and he has an estimated Net Worth: Approximately $3 million
Health and Wellness
Jeff Gianola is reportedly in good health, with no known medical issues or illnesses. He remains actively involved in both his broadcast career and philanthropic initiatives.
