Elex Michaelson Biography: Anchor for FOX 11 and Host of The Issue Is
Elex Michaelson is a highly accomplished American journalist, widely recognized for his roles as an anchor for FOX 11 News in Los Angeles and as the host and executive producer of the statewide political talk show “The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson.”
Early Life and Education:
Michaelson grew up in Agoura Hills, California. He showed an early interest in news and politics.
He graduated first in his class from the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California, earning Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors with dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science in 2008.
During his college years, he interned at NBC News and FOX 11 (his current employer).
Career Highlights:
Michaelson’s career in broadcasting began in San Diego, where he worked as a weekend morning anchor and weeknight reporter at XETV. From 2010 to 2017, he was a reporter and fill-in anchor at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
He then returned to FOX 11 News in Los Angeles, where he co-anchors the weeknight news at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. He is particularly known for his in-depth political coverage and interviews.
“The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson”:
Michaelson hosts and executive produces “The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson,” which is California’s only statewide political talk show.
The program features discussions and debates on pressing issues affecting California and the nation.
Through this show, he has conducted one-on-one interviews with numerous prominent political figures, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He has also organized and co-moderated debates for various state, national, and local races.
Awards and Recognition:
Elex Michaelson is a highly decorated journalist, having won multiple awards throughout his career. His accolades include:
- Eight Emmy Awards
- Seven Golden Mic Awards (some sources say eight Golden Mics)
- Six L.A. Press Club awards, including TV Journalist of the Year.
Community Involvement:
Beyond his professional work, Michaelson is dedicated to community service.
He volunteers with several non-profit organizations, including the ALS Network, the Drew Child Development Corporation, and the Special Needs Network.
He also co-founded “Get Hands On,” a breast cancer awareness campaign.
Personal Interests:
In his free time, Elex Michaelson enjoys going to the beach, working out, watching films, and spending time with friends and family. He is a self-described “political junkie” and a proud USC Trojan fan.
Age:
Elex Michaelson was born on October 18, 1986, making him 38 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Libra. Elex is of white ethnicity and holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings:
Elex Michaelson was born and raised in Agoura Hills, Southern California, in a supportive and creatively inclined family.
His father, David Michaelson, and his mother, Crystal Michaelson, a mixed media artist, played a formative role in shaping his early values and interests.
He grew up alongside his younger sister, Danielle Michaelson, with whom he shares a close bond. Danielle is known to be in a relationship with her partner, Julian.
Elex’s upbringing in a vibrant, intellectually curious household likely contributed to his early passion for leadership—evident in his roles as student body president and basketball team captain during high school.
Wife:
Elex Michaelson is married to his long-time partner, although specific details about his wife, including her name and background, are not widely known.
Height:
Elex Michaelson stands at an average height of 5 feet 7 inches (approximately 1.71 meters) and has a moderate weight.
Career and Background:
Elex Michaelson began his career in journalism with a passion for political reporting.
After earning his degree from the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated as valedictorian, Elex worked for various news stations before joining FOX 11 in Los Angeles.
His show The Issue Is has gained recognition for featuring in-depth conversations with key political figures, including presidential candidates, governors, and senators.
Throughout his career, Elex has won multiple awards for his reporting, including Emmys for his exceptional work in journalism.
Early Foundations
- While at USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism, Michaelson interned at NBC News Washington and FOX Broadcasting.
- He contributed to Annenberg TV News and Trojan Vision TV, sharpening his skills in political reporting and live production.
XETV San Diego (2008–2010)
- Began his professional career at San Diego 6 News (XETV) as a weekend morning anchor and weeknight reporter.
- Covered major national stories including:
- Barack Obama’s inauguration
- Aurora theater shooting
- Hurricane Irene
KABC-TV / ABC7 Eyewitness News, Los Angeles (2010–2017)
- Served as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor.
- Reported on high-impact events such as:
- Boston Marathon bombing
- Napa earthquake
- Gabrielle Giffords shooting
- Built a reputation for political journalism, covering elections, debates, and policy issues.
KTTV FOX 11 Los Angeles (2017–Present)
- Joined as co-anchor of FOX 11 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., working with Christine Devine and Marla Tellez.
- In 2018, launched and began hosting The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson, California’s only statewide political talk show.
- In 2020, added co-hosting duties for FOX 11 Special Report alongside Dr. Drew Pinsky.
The Issue Is: Political Impact
- Features in-depth interviews with national and state leaders including:
- Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump
- Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg
- Covers major political events:
- Republican and Democratic National Conventions
- Presidential debates and inaugurations
- Known for its balanced, civil discourse and high-profile exclusives.
Awards and Recognition
- 5 Emmy Awards and 11 nominations
- 7 Golden Mics
- 6 L.A. Press Club Awards, including TV Journalist of the Year
- Recognized for excellence in political reporting, live coverage, and public affairs programming
Notable Interviews and Coverage
Political Figures: Elex has conducted one-on-one interviews with nearly every key political figure, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Debates and Conventions: He has organized and co-moderated debates for California Governor, U.S. Senator, L.A. Mayor, L.A. County Sheriff, and multiple congressional races. He has also reported live from the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and multiple Presidential Inaugurations.
Elex Michaelson works closely with several talented colleagues at FOX 11 (KTTV). Here are six of his close colleagues:
Christine Devine: Co-anchor on Good Day LA and FOX 11 News at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Marla Tellez: Co-host on Good Day LA from 6-9 a.m. and FOX 11 News at 6 p.m.
Bob DeCastro: Co-anchor on Good Day LA from 4-6 a.m. and FOX 11 News at 6 p.m.
Araksya Karapetyan: Co-anchor on Good Day LA from 9-11 a.m.
Sandra Endo: Co-anchor on Good Day LA from 9-11 a.m.
Rick Dickerson: Sports anchor who covers a wide range of sports events and stories.
These colleagues contribute to the high-quality news coverage that FOX 11 (KTTV) is known for.
Elex Michaelson Political Party
Elex Michaelson is known for his objective and balanced approach to journalism, and he has not publicly disclosed his political party affiliation.
As a journalist and host of The Issue Is, he focuses on providing fair and unbiased coverage of political events and discussions, interviewing key political figures from various parties.
Net Worth and Salary:
Elex Michaelson’s financial profile reflects his success in broadcast journalism, particularly in the competitive Los Angeles media market.
Estimated Net Worth
- His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, based on various public sources.
- This includes earnings from his roles as a news anchor, political show host, and possibly other media-related ventures.
Annual Salary Range
- His annual salary is reported to range between $97,000 and $204,000, depending on the source and year.
- Earlier estimates placed his salary between $45,000 and $110,500, though this may reflect earlier stages of his career.
These figures align with compensation standards for high-profile anchors in major markets like Los Angeles, especially those with multiple roles and Emmy-winning credentials.
Is Elex Michaelson Married?
Yes, Elex Michaelson is married, although he keeps his personal life relatively private and does not share many details about his relationship publicly.
How Old Is Elex Michaelson?
Elex Michaelson was born on October 18, 1986, which makes him 38 years old as of 2025.
Where Is Elex Michaelson Working?
As of now, Elex Michaelson is based in Los Angeles, where he holds multiple high-profile roles at FOX 11 (KTTV):
- Co-Anchor of FOX 11 News: He anchors the evening newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., working alongside Christine Devine and Marla Tellez.
- Host and Executive Producer of The Issue Is: A statewide political talk show airing Fridays at 10:30 p.m., featuring interviews with major political figures and thought leaders.
- Co-Host of FOX 11 Special Report: A nightly news and analysis program he co-hosts with Dr. Drew Pinsky, focusing on current events and public health issues.
Elex Michaelson is active on social media! He engages with his audience on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where he shares updates about his work, interacts with fans, and provides insights into his reporting and political discussions.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.