Chris Russo “Mad Dog” Bio, Age, Net Worth, Salary, Wife, Mad Dog Show

BIOGRAPHY OF CHRIS RUSSO

Syosset, New York native Chris Russo, also known as “Mad Dog,” is a sports radio personality best known as a former co-host of the sports radio show Mike and the Mad. Dog with Mike Francesa, which aired on WFAN in New York City and simulcast on the YES Network.

In August 2008, Russo joined Sirius XM Radio and is responsible for his own channel, Mad Dog Radio. He also hosts an afternoon radio show, Mad Dog Unleashed, SiriusXM Ch. 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio.

CHRIS RUSSO AGE

Christopher Michael Russo was born on October 18, 1959 in Syosset, New York, United States.

CHRIS RUSSO PARENTS

Russo is the only child of Vera “Molly” Russo and Anthony Michael “Tony” (1931–2013) of Flushing, Queens and England, respectively.

CHRIS RUSSO WIFE

Russo has been married to his wife Jeanne Lavelle since May 6, 1995 and they have four children, Timmy, Kiera, Colin and Patrick. He resides in New Canaan, Connecticut.

SALARY CHRIS RUSSO

Russo earns an annual salary of $3 million. Credits to his career as a radio host.

BODY MEASUREMENTS OF CHRIS RUSSO

• Height: Not available.
• Weight: Not available.
• Size: Not available.
• Body shape : Not available.
• Hair color: Black.

NET WORTH OF CHRIS RUSSO

Russo has a net worth of $20 million. His career as a radio host is the main source of his income.

CHRIS RUSSO EDUCATION

Born in Syosset, New York, Russo attended Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York and Rollins College near Orlando, Florida, where he earned a degree in history. Russo also spent a spring at Cranleigh School in South London, England, and also attended the University of Sydney in Australia to study Australian history and literature.

CHRIS RUSSO EARLY WORK

Prior to joining WFAN, he worked for WKIS in Orlando, Florida between 1984 and 1987 and WMCA in New York between 1987 and 1988. During his career at WKIS, it became clear that people in Central Florida were struggling understand Russo’s leading accent. at the station sending him to see a speech therapist twice a week.

New York Daily News Sports TV radio critic Bob Raissman dubbed him ‘Mad Dog’, who said his approach to radio reminded him of Maurice Vachon, a former professional wrestler also known as ‘Mad Dog’.

Russo is known for his whistles, his quick manner of speaking and his characteristic greeting of ‘Hello everyone!’ at the start of the Mike and the Mad Dog show. George Vecsey of The New York Times described Russo’s voice as “an odd mix of Jerry Lewis, Archie Bunker, and Daffy Duck.” His voice has also been described as “Donald Duck on steroids” by Don Imus.

CHRIS RUSSO MIKE AND THE MAD DOG

In December 1988, Russo joined WFAN, serving as night, weekend, and backup host. Russo was brought by a former WFAN morning show host, Don Imus, on board the show Imus in the Morning as a sportscaster. Russo’s nickname was also later promoted by Imus and in early 1989 his work on Imus led to Russo getting his own regular weekend show on Saturday mornings.

After WFAN station management refused to renew Pete Franklin’s ride time show from 3 p.m. at 7 p.m., Russo and Mike Francesa, were scrubbed by WFAN who at the time was co-host of the mid-morning show. The show was dubbed Mike and the Mad Dog and it launched on September 5, 1989 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Russo reached a mutual agreement with WFAN on August 14, 2008 to let him out of the remainder of his contract. Russo insisted it was purely a personal decision and said his decision had nothing to do with the hatred between him and Mike. It was up to him to do something different. The 48-year-old said there wouldn’t be too many chances to escape and it was time to try something else, even though it was a tough decision to make. Russo phoned Francesa on August 15, 2008 to say an emotional goodbye

On October 16, 2009, Russo joined Francesa on her show for an hour-long reunion show at Yankee Stadium, where the two were to air in adjacent booths. Russo joined Francesa for a Mike and the Mad Dog reunion on March 30, 2016 at Radio City Music Hall.

CHRIS RUSSO MAD DOG UNLEASHED

Russo signed a five-year contract on August 19, 2008, with Sirius XM Radio to headline a new sports chat channel known as Mad Dog Radio on Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. Chris Russo hosts the channel’s flagship show, Mad Dog Unleashed, live from Sirius’ New York studios every weekday afternoon. He brought on board longtime WINS presenter Steve Torre as the new program director of “Mad Dog Radio” and hired an executive producer for his show, known as Billy Z aka Bill Zimmerman. The show began airing daily on September 15, 2008 on Sirius Channel 123 and XM Channel 144.

Russo said there was nothing WFAN could have done to keep him, after Sirius XM provided him with his own channel, hosting American sports chat personalities. His 5-year contract was worth around $3 million a year and Russo himself runs the channel and hires on-air staff.

Russo reacted to his station on July 9, 2009, being ranked among satellite radio’s top 100 stations, chastised his entire staff, including bringing in Andy Gresh as night host for a disguise in person. Russo ended up firing his program director, Steve Torre. Later, Torre was rehired and it is unclear if the incident was legitimate or if it was a radio skit.

Russo announced on August 28, 2013 that he had been signed to Sirius XM for an additional three years, beginning September 2013. His contract also included daily hosting of a baseball show, High Heat, which debuted on August 31. March 2014 on MLB Network, simulcast on MLB Network Radio. Russo signed a new three-year contract in September 2016.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRIS RUSSO

Who is Chris Russo?

Chris Russo, also known as ‘Mad Dog’, is a sports radio personality well known as the former co-host of the sports radio show Mike and the Mad Dog with Mike Francesa, who was broadcast on WFAN in New York and simulcast on YES Network.

How old is Chris Russo?

Mad Dog turns 60 in 2019, was born on October 18, 1959.

How tall is Chris Russo?

Not known.

Is Russo married?

Russo has been married to his wife Jeanne Lavelle since May 6, 1995 and they have four children, Timmy, Kiera, Colin and Patrick. He resides in New Canaan, Connecticut.

How much is Russo worth?

Russo has a net worth of $20 million. His career as a radio host is the main source of his income.

How much does Russo earn?

Russo earns an annual salary of $3 million. Credits to his career as a radio host.

Where does Russo live?

Not known.

Is Russo dead or alive?

Russo is still alive and well.