Who is Bill Kurtis?

Bill Kurtis is a well-known commercial actor who has established a reputation for his distinctive voice and commanding presence. Born on September 21, 1940, in Pensacola, Florida, Kurtis grew up in Independence, Kansas, before graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism.

Kurtis began his career as a journalist, working for various television stations and news organizations throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He eventually became a news anchor for CBS and earned acclaim for his coverage of major national events, including the Watergate scandal and the Jonestown massacre.

However, Kurtis' voice and on-camera presence soon caught the attention of advertising agencies, and he began appearing in commercials for various products. He rose to prominence as the spokesperson for the American beef industry, uttering the famous catchphrase "Beef: It's what's for dinner" in a series of ads for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in 1992.

Since then, Kurtis has appeared in a variety of commercials, lending his authoritative voice and commanding presence to brands such as AT&T, General Electric, and Downy fabric softener. He has also lent his talents to documentary narration, most notably on the critically acclaimed true crime series "Cold Case Files."

Despite his success as a commercial actor, Kurtis has never strayed too far from his journalistic roots. He has continued to serve as an on-air personality for various news programs and documentaries, and has even launched his own production company, Kurtis Productions, which specializes in nonfiction programming.

In addition to his work onscreen, Kurtis is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable organizations throughout his career. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to journalism and the arts, cementing his status as a true icon in the world of entertainment and media.