| Dave Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Thomas Boreanaz February 14, 1936 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Weatherman |
| Years active | 1954–2009 |
David Thomas Boreanaz (born February 14, 1936) is a retired American television broadcaster who broadcast under the stage names Dave Thomas in Buffalo, New York, and Dave Roberts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the main weatherman for WPVI-TV in Philadelphia from 1983 until his retirement in 2009. He is the father of actor David Boreanaz, middle school teacher Beth Boreanaz, and Bo Boreanaz and the father-in-law of Jaime Bergman.
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Roberts was born in Buffalo, New York and is of Valle d'Aosta (northern Italian) descent. He began working as a radio broadcaster at WAER-FM in Syracuse, New York in 1954, later moving to WOLF-AM. His television broadcasting career began at WBUF-TV in Buffalo in 1956. Two years, later Roberts served as the U.S. Army's news director for the Caribbean Forces Radio-TV Network, located in the Panama Canal Zone, as well as working in New York City as a broadcaster for Armed Forces Radio. In 1961, Roberts joined WKBW-TV as the station's weatherman and as the host of the children's show Rocketship 7, as well as hosting Dialing for Dollars. In Buffalo, he began using the stage name David Thomas instead of his real surname of Boreanaz.
In 1978, Roberts joined WPVI-TV in Philadelphia as a co-host for the morning television show AM Philadelphia. To avoid possible confusion with Lisa Thomas-Laury, he changed his stage name from David Thomas to Dave Roberts. After the untimely death of Jim O'Brien on September 25, 1983, he began reporting the weather for WPVI's Action News. In 1993, Roberts became a recipient of the National Weather Association's "Weathercaster Seal of Approval". In 2000, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneer's Hall of Fame, and selected "Person of the Year" by the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Association. The following year he was inducted into the Buffalo, New York Broadcasters' Hall of Fame.
Roberts is well regarded for his community service. He is active with numerous charities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and has hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. He has been granted the "Man of the Year Achievement Award" by the Central Delco Lodge #2438, Order of the Sons of Italy in America, as well as being selected as "Person of the Year" by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Roberts attended Syracuse University as a Speech and Dramatic Arts student, graduating with dual majors in English and Communications. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild; he has had roles in Blow Out, All My Children, Doogie Howser, M.D. and thirtysomething. His son David Boreanaz became famous for the roles of Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel and Seeley Booth on Bones.
On November 18, 2009, at age 73, Roberts announced his retirement from WPVI-TV. His last on-air appearance was on December 11, 2009, during the 6 p.m. newscast.