Tony Parsons is one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian television news. His calm and trusted voice guided viewers through the evening news for more than three decades.
Parsons was born in 1939 (86 years old) in Gosport, Hampshire, England, and grew up in Ontario after his family moved to Canada.
He is best known for anchoring the News Hour on BCTV, later Global BC, and for co-anchoring CBC News: Vancouver alongside Gloria Macarenko.
In 2004, he received the Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jack Webster Foundation, and in 2009, he was inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.
Quick Facts of Tony Parsons
| Full Name | Anthony Parsons |
| Profession | Broadcast journalist, news anchor, podcast host |
| Age | 86 years old |
| Date of Birth | 1939 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Yet to be updated |
| Birthplace | Gosport, Hampshire, England |
| Current Address | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Gender | Male |
Tony Parsons Early Life and Education
Tony Parsons was born as Anthony Parsonage in Gosport, England.
He spent his early childhood in wartime England before his family immigrated to Canada in 1948, settling in Feversham, Ontario. He was one of six children.
It is known that a high school teacher, who liked the way he read aloud in class, first pointed him toward a career in broadcasting.
Education
Parsons was educated in several Ontario towns, including Feversham, Kitchener, and Sarnia, before moving to Toronto.
He then studied Radio and Television Arts at the Ryerson Institute of Technology, now Toronto Metropolitan University.
His schooling was cut short when, at the age of seventeen, he was hired as a radio disc jockey.
| Alma Mater | Ryerson Institute of Technology (Toronto Metropolitan University) |
| Highest Qualification | Radio and Television Arts |
Tony Parsons Personal Life
Tony Parsons is married to his wife, Tammy. Further details about her are yet to be updated.
Parents
Parsons grew up in a large family that faced real hardship after arriving in Canada.
Father
His father was a Royal Air Force flight lieutenant. Parsons has said his father struggled with alcoholism and eventually left the family, leaving his mother to raise six children on her own. His father’s name is yet to be updated.
Mother
His mother was of Italian descent and raised her six children largely alone after the family settled in Ontario. Her name is yet to be updated.
Siblings
Parsons was one of six children, so he grew up with five siblings. Their names and details are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Tammy |
| Parents | Father: Yet to be updated Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Tony Parsons Career
Tony Parsons built one of the longest and most respected careers in Canadian broadcasting, spanning more than fifty years across radio and television.
1950s to 1960s: Early days in Ontario radio
Parsons began his career at the age of seventeen as a country and western disc jockey at CJCS in Stratford, Ontario.
He then moved through several stations, including CHOK in Sarnia, CJOY in Guelph, and CHML in Hamilton.
It was at CHML in Hamilton that he made the switch from disc jockey to news reporter.
Around this time, he shortened his surname from Parsonage to Parsons.
Late 1960s to 1975: Breaks into television at CFTO in Toronto
After a brief stint at CHUM radio, Parsons landed his first television job as a reporter and anchor at CFTO-TV, a CTV affiliate in Toronto.
He rose to become the late evening news anchor in Canada’s biggest television market.
Mid 1970s: Moves west to BCTV in Vancouver
In the mid 1970s, Parsons moved to Vancouver, first as a West Coast correspondent for CTV National News.
He soon accepted the six o’clock anchor chair at BCTV, then a CTV affiliate that later became Global BC.
He would go on to anchor the News Hour for roughly thirty-five years.
His longtime co-anchor was Deb Hope, and the newscast team included weatherman Wayne Cox, sportscaster Squire Barnes, and news director Cameron Bell.
1989 to 1995: Moves into management
In 1989, Parsons was appointed news director at BCTV, and in 1995, he became Vice President of News and Public Affairs.
He carried these duties while still anchoring the Early News, the News Hour, and the national edition of Canada Tonight.
The national Canada Tonight broadcast aired outside British Columbia, while Bill Good anchored the version seen within the province.
2001: Film appearances
Parsons appeared on the big screen as a television news anchor in two films released in 2001.
He had a cameo in the comedy Saving Silverman, also known as Evil Woman, and appeared in the Jack Nicholson film The Pledge.
2009: Departure from Global BC
On December 16, 2009, Parsons anchored his final News Hour broadcast at Global BC after about thirty-five years.
His exit came earlier than expected, and he was replaced by Chris Gailus.
That same year, he opened a Vancouver restaurant called the Poor Italian, in which he held a part ownership stake, and released his memoir, A Life in the News.
2010 to 2013: CHEK News and CBC News Vancouver
In March 2010, Parsons returned to the air as anchor of the 10 p.m. newscast on CHEK News in Victoria, the employee-owned station he also invested in personally.
In April 2010, he began co-anchoring CBC News: Vancouver with Gloria Macarenko, replacing Ian Hanomansing.
At CBC, he worked alongside meteorologist Claire Martin and sportscaster Shane Foxman.
For a time, he flew between Vancouver and Victoria to anchor both newscasts.
He gave his final CHEK newscast in June 2012 and retired from CBC on December 20, 2013.
2013 to present: Retirement, brand work, and podcasting
After retiring, Parsons moved to Kelowna in the Okanagan.
He became an official spokesperson and brand ambassador for hearing companies NexGen Hearing and HearingLife.
In 2024, he returned to the microphone with a podcast, The Tony Parsons Show, released across major platforms in October 2024.
Guests have included Peter Mansbridge, Sandie Rinaldo, Jim Hughson, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Pamela Martin.
Tony Parsons Awards and Achievements
Here are the major wins of Tony Parsons:
Major wins
- 2002: Queen’s Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal, awarded for his outstanding service to the community as a journalist.
- 2002: Italian Man of the Year, later noted as Italo-Canadian of the Year, recognizing his standing and contribution within the Italian Canadian community.
- 2004: Bruce Hutchison Lifetime Achievement Award, Jack Webster Foundation, given in recognition of his career achievements in Canadian broadcast journalism.
- 2009: Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame induction, Canadian Association of Broadcasters, honouring his decades of contribution to Canadian television news.
Tony Parsons Net Worth
The estimated net worth and annual salary of Tony Parsons are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Tony Parsons Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Tony Parsons:
| Height | In centimetres: Yet to be updated In metres: Yet to be updated In feet and inches: Yet to be updated |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Colour | Grey |
| Eye Colour | Hazle brown |
Tony Parsons Social Media
@BCTonyParsonsMore News Anchor Bios
FAQs
Who is Tony Parsons?
Tony Parsons is a Canadian broadcast journalist and news anchor, best known for anchoring the News Hour on BCTV and Global BC.
How old is Tony Parsons?
Tony Parsons is 86 years old. He was born in 1939.
Is Tony Parsons married?
Yes, Tony Parsons is married to Tammy.
Why did Tony Parsons leave Global BC?
Tony Parsons left Global BC on December 16, 2009.
What is Tony Parsons doing now?
Tony Parsons lives in Kelowna and hosts a podcast called The Tony Parsons Show, launched in 2024.
