So Long to The Big Tuna

By Rachelle Bowden in Arts & Entertainment on May 14, 2004 10:57PM

Floyd Kalber, a legend in Chicago broadcasting, died of emphysema Thurday at the age of 79. Kalber's career included highly rated programs on two Chicago stations and the "Today" show. At the height of his popularity in the 60's, Kalber commanded higher audience shares than anyone else on the air before or since. He received the nickname "The Big Tuna" of television news because his power in the newsroom was perceived to be as great as the power of the late Chicago mob boss Tony "Big Tuna" Acardo. Kalber was the winner of five Emmy Awards and was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame and the Silver Circle of the Chicago Television Academy. NBC 5 remembers Kalber in images and in video.