Winfrey joins a list of other prestigious IBA Hall of Fame inductees with ABC broadcasting ties. Paul Harvey entered the IBA’s Hall of Fame in 1974, Hugh Downs in 1980, the late Frank Reynolds in 1981, ABC News’ Chris Bury, in 2004 and most recently, former ABC Network News Anchor, Charlie Gibson in 2007. Other IBA Hall of Fame luminaries include Gene Siskel, Jack Benny and Mike Douglas, among others.
Oprah Winfrey Enters Hall of Fame
Oprah Winfrey, whose meteoric rise from Chicago talk show host to one of Illinois’ most renowned broadcasters, was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame on May 3, 2011. Winfrey entered the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame as its sole inductee at the May 3rd ceremony. ABC 7 Anchor/Reporter Cheryl Burton served as the emcee of the luncheon. Fellow Hall of Famers Dick Biondi, Roger Ebert, Bill Kurtis, and Orion Samuelson were on hand to welcome Ms. Winfrey. IBA's Dennis Lyle kindly asked these gentlemen as they were gathered on stage, "Move over gentlemen and make room for one more," as Ms. Winfrey accepted her award.