Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
1.800.698.2536
Click to Open Search Bar
All American Speakers Bureau and Celebrity Booking Agency Speakers
Click to Open Search Bar
Contact
☰

Bill Kurtis

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
4 out of 5
1 review

TV Journalist, Producer, Narrator and News Anchor; Host of A&E's "Investigative Reports," "American Justice" and "Cold Case Files"

Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis

Speaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker RatingSpeaker Rating
4 out of 5
1 review

TV Journalist, Producer, Narrator and News Anchor; Host of A&E's "Investigative Reports," "American Justice" and "Cold Case Files"

Travels From Travels From:
Mettawa, IL, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Event: Please Contact
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Broadcasting, Culture, Earth Day, Entertainment, Environment, Green and Sustainability, Health and Wellness, Host Emcee, Journalism, Literary, Media, Motivation, Personal Growth, Political Speakers, Speakers by Industry, Television Personalities, Television Stars
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Bill Kurtis Biography

An acclaimed documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, multimedia production company president, and grass-fed cattle rancher, Bill Kurtis has been earning the respect of his peers and viewers for more than 46 years.

Born in Florida and reared in Independence, Kansas after his father retired as a career Marine officer, Bill graduated from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He attended Washburn University School of Law where he was awarded a Juris Doctor degree.

Bill Kurtis began his career at WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas. In 1966, after being recognized for his 24-hour coverage of a devastating tornado, Kurtis was hired by WBBM-TV in Chicago where he was field reporter and later anchor of The Channel Two News. In 1978, his investigative unit was first to report on the defoliant Agent Orange and how it affected American forces in Vietnam. In the course of covering that story, he returned to Vietnam in 1980 and found that children of American servicemen -- Amer-Asians -- were living in the streets of Saigon, their mothers unable to find jobs. It became a cover story in the New York Times Magazine. His reporting resulted in legislation that (1) allowed the children immediate access to the United States and (2) launched massive studies of Vietnam veterans to make Agent Orange exposure eligible for compensation and treatment. It established a new standard of care for veterans that continues to expand nearly 37 years after the War. In 1982, Kurtis became co-anchor of the CBS Morning News with Diane Sawyer. He returned to Chicago & WBBM-TV as anchorman from 1985-1996 and was reunited with co-anchor Walter Jacobson in the fall of 2010.

Retiring after 30 years with CBS, he established Kurtis Productions, traveling to the far ends of the earth for the Peabody Award-winning series "The New Explorers," which aired on PBS. Kurtis Productions also created programs for the A&E Television Network, including the long-running, award-winning "Investigative Reports" and "Cold Case Files" as well as "Investigating History" for The History Channel. Kurtis has also served as the host of A&E's "American Justice" -- the longest running non-fiction justice series on cable. "Cold Case Files" was nominated for 2004 and 2005 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. Kurtis Productions helped launch the 'golden age' of documentaries on cable television and continues to produce such programming like "American Greed" on CNBC.

One episode of "Investigative Reports" dealt with Richard Speck, convicted killer of eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966. It detailed his shocking lifestyle inside the Stateville Correctional Center, an indication that inmates were more in control of the prison than authorities. It resulted in the most sweeping changes to the penal system in Illinois history.

Kurtis is also an author. "The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice" explores issues surrounding capital punishment in America and "On Assignment" explores some of the major stories he covered in his early career.

In his home state of Kansas, Kurtis is an active conservationist. His 10,000-acre Red Buffalo Ranch is located in the Flint Hills, the largest remaining tract of tallgrass prairie in America.

In 2005, Bill founded Tallgrass Beef Company to champion the environmental and health benefits of grass-fed cattle ranching. Today, Tallgrass Beef can be found in restaurants, supermarkets, and on the Internet.

Mr. Kurtis is the recipient of numerous humanitarian, journalism and broadcasting awards.

He is a member of the board of directors of several distinguished organizations including The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Zoological Society, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Field Museum of Chicago and the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library in Springfield, Illinois.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bill Kurtis and other top speakers and celebrities.

BOOK Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis Videos

  • An Introduction to Tallgrass Beef by Bill Curtis - YouTube
    An Introduction to Tallgrass Beef by Bill Curtis - YouTube
  • Acclaimed broadcaster and documentary host Bill Kurtis packs Saint ...
    Acclaimed broadcaster and documentary host Bill Kurtis packs Saint ...
  • Bill Kurtis' Red Buffalo Ranch - YouTube
    Bill Kurtis' Red Buffalo Ranch - YouTube
See All Videos »

Bill Kurtis Books

  • The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice
    The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice
  • Bill Kurtis: On Assignment
    Bill Kurtis: On Assignment

Speaker Lists Featuring Bill Kurtis

  • Top Speakers for Events in Illinois

    Inspiring Speakers From the State of Illinois

    Known for its vast farmlands, Illinois is also home to one of the country’s biggest cities. Whether you’re planning an event in downtown Chicago or somewhere in the state’s rural areas, these local speakers appeal to...

Browse All Keynote Speaker Lists »

FAQs on booking Bill Kurtis

  • How do I book Bill Kurtis to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Bill Kurtis for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Bill Kurtis, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Bill Kurtis or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Bill Kurtis

    Speaking fees for Bill Kurtis, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Bill Kurtis are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bill Kurtis, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Bill Kurtis speak about?

    Bill Kurtis is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Broadcasting, Culture, Earth Day, Entertainment, Environment, Green and Sustainability, Health and Wellness, Host Emcee, Journalism, Literary, Media, Motivation, Personal Growth, Political Speakers, Speakers by Industry, Television Personalities, Television Stars.

  • Where does Bill Kurtis travel from?

    Bill Kurtis generally travels from Mettawa, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Bill Kurtis’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Bill Kurtis for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Bill Kurtis for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Bill Kurtis or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Bill Kurtis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Bill Kurtis for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Bill Kurtis generally travels from Mettawa, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Calvin Trillin, Linda Ellerbee, Bob Costas, Andrew Busch and Juan Williams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bill Kurtis for an upcoming live or virtual event.

BOOK Bill Kurtis

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Need Quick Answers?

We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.

Sarah Miller
phone   1.800.698.2536
Our celebrity booking agents can:

  • Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events

  • Provide you with the speaking fee to book Bill Kurtis or other celebrity appearance fees

  • Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities

  • Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process

Speakers Similar to Bill Kurtis

related speakers Users also viewed these speakers:

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP