Chris Tanaka Wikipedia | Biography
Chris Tanaka is a well-known American television journalist and news personality, currently co-anchoring News Mornings alongside Paula Ebben on WBZ News. He made his way to WBZ in 2022 after honing his skills as a journalist in Cleveland, Ohio.
With accolades like an Emmy Award and an Associated Press Award under his belt, Tanaka has carved out a remarkable career covering everything from breaking news to sports across various regions of the United States. His professional path has taken him through states like Montana, Colorado, Hawaii, and California, allowing him to report from a diverse array of communities and newsrooms.
After years of living and working in different parts of the country, Tanaka was thrilled to return to his New England roots. He grew up in Derry, New Hampshire, and later pursued his education at Boston College, where he earned his degree.
Thanks to his extensive experience in both news and sports broadcasting, Tanaka has earned a reputation for his adaptable reporting style and captivating storytelling. His return to New England has given him the chance to continue his journalism career in the region that feels like home.
Chris Tanaka Age
When it comes to Chris Tanaka’s age, the specifics like his exact date of birth haven’t been officially shared by trustworthy sources. That said, we can piece together some information from his career. He graduated from Boston College back in the 1990s and has been making waves in broadcast journalism for over twenty years now.
Chris Tanaka Education
Chris Tanaka is a proud alumnus of Boston College, where he completed his undergraduate studies back in the 1990s. He then went on to earn an MBA from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
This blend of a liberal arts education and advanced business training has perfectly equipped him for his extensive career in television journalism.
Chris Tanaka Height
When it comes to Chris Tanaka’s height, there isn’t an official number released by WBZ or any other trustworthy biographical source.
However, Tanaka has shared a bit about his height in conversations about his early passion for sports. He humorously noted that he had aspirations of going pro but hit a growth spurt ceiling at 5 feet 10 inches, which put a damper on those dreams. So, while he often mentions being 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters), it’s more of a personal reference than a confirmed measurement.
Chris Tanaka Ethnicity
Chris Tanaka proudly identifies as Japanese-American and mixed race. He’s been open about his Japanese-American heritage, sharing that he hails from a diverse family background. This rich cultural tapestry has significantly shaped his perspective and has a profound impact on his storytelling and interviewing style.
While his last name, Tanaka, is distinctly Japanese, he prefers to define his identity as mixed race and Japanese-American, reflecting the complexity of his heritage.
Chris Tanaka Family
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Chris Tanaka spent his formative years in southern New Hampshire. He often talks about his multinational family and how his Japanese-American roots have played a crucial role in his life and career in journalism.
He also has ties to Ohio; during his stint at Cleveland 19, it was noted that his father grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, and he has an aunt who still resides in Cleveland.
Chris Tanaka Nationality
Chris Tanaka is an American citizen. Although he was born in Taipei, he was raised in New Hampshire and has established his professional life in the United States.
His multicultural background is something he embraces, often describing himself as both Japanese-American and mixed race.
Is Chris Tanaka Japanese?
Absolutely! Chris Tanaka has openly identified as Japanese-American and has shared insights about his heritage in an interview with the Japan Society of Boston. He also embraces his mixed-race identity and comes from a multinational family.
Tanaka has been actively engaged with the Japanese-American community in New England. In April 2026, he took part in a reception hosted by Japan’s Consulate-General in Boston, celebrating Japanese-Americans in the area.
Chris Tanaka Wife
Chris Tanaka is happily married. His wife tends to keep a low profile, away from the media glare, but Tanaka has occasionally shared insights about his family life.
In 2025, he took a brief hiatus from WBZ News to support his wife during her breast cancer treatment. He referred to her as a fighter and used this challenging time to encourage viewers to prioritize breast cancer screenings and early detection.
Chris Tanaka Children
Chris Tanaka and his wife are proud parents of two sons. In an interview with the Japan Society of Boston, he expressed how much he cherishes spending time with his family, exploring the beautiful New England area together.
Cleveland 19 also highlighted that Tanaka was married with two young boys during his time at the station.
Chris Tanaka WBZ News
Chris Tanaka is a well-known American television journalist and news anchor, celebrated for his work with WBZ News in Boston. He currently co-anchors News Mornings alongside Paula Ebben, a position he embraced after joining WBZ in 2022.
Originally hailing from Derry, New Hampshire, Tanaka’s return to New England holds special significance for him. His journalism journey has taken him across various states, including Montana, Colorado, Hawaii, California, and Ohio, but New England is where he truly feels at home.
He pursued his education at Boston College, laying the groundwork for his broadcasting career. Over the years, Tanaka has dabbled in both news and sports journalism, amassing a wealth of experience covering diverse stories and communities.
His impressive professional accolades include an Emmy Award and an Associated Press Award, showcasing his talent as a journalist and broadcaster. His time in different markets has also allowed him to cultivate a versatile reporting style that blends hard-hitting news with engaging storytelling.
Now based in the New England area, Tanaka continues to thrive in his role at WBZ. While he keeps details about his personal life—such as his age, family, spouse, and children—under wraps, his professional journey and deep ties to New Hampshire are key elements of his public persona.
Where Is Chris Tanaka Now?
Currently, Chris Tanaka is in Boston, Massachusetts, working with WBZ-TV/CBS News Boston. He co-anchors WBZ News Mornings alongside Paula Ebben. The current news team page on WBZ still features Tanaka as one of its anchors and reporters.
Tanaka has mentioned that coming back to Boston holds special significance for him since he grew up in New Hampshire and attended Boston College. He sees his return as a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and those who have played a significant role in his life.
Is Chris Tanaka Leaving Channel 19?
Chris Tanaka is no longer with Cleveland 19 News. He transitioned from the Cleveland station to WBZ in Boston in 2022.
As of now, there’s no sign that he’s planning to return to Cleveland 19.
Chris Tanaka 19 News
Chris Tanaka 19 News refers to his time at Cleveland 19 News, where he served as both an anchor and a reporter.
Tanaka made his way to Cleveland 19 in July 2016 after spending five years in the beautiful city of Honolulu, Hawaii. At Cleveland 19, he was the face of the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, and he also anchored the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcasts on CLE43. Before his Hawaiian adventure, he was the sports director at KDVR in Denver and kicked off his on-air journey in Great Falls, Montana.
His time in Cleveland came to an end when he moved to Boston to join WBZ in 2022.
