Rich Koz is an American actor and broadcaster best known for his portrayal of iconic horror-movie host Svengoolie on MeTV. He is also recognized for hosting The Koz Zone children’s show and the syndicated Stooge-a-Palooza program. Koz has been entertaining audiences for over four decades and has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work in Chicago television.
Rich Koz Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Richard Koz |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | March 12, 1952 |
| Age | 73 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Park Ridge, Illinois, USA |
| Current residence | Park Ridge, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Unnamed (married since early 1980s) |
| Children | One daughter |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University (Communications), Maine East High School |
| Profession | Actor, broadcaster, television host |
| Net worth | $1 million – $2 million (estimated) |
Who is Rich Koz?
Rich Koz is a legendary Chicago television personality who has become synonymous with horror movie entertainment through his character Svengoolie. He is an American actor and broadcaster who has spent over 45 years entertaining audiences with his unique blend of humor and horror film presentations. Koz’s career spans multiple decades and includes various hosting roles beyond his famous Svengoolie persona.
The television icon has earned recognition as one of Chicago’s most beloved entertainment figures. His work has influenced horror hosting across America and earned him numerous regional Emmy Awards. In 2021, he received the prestigious honor of induction into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame.
How old is Rich Koz? Age and birthday
Rich Koz is 73 years old as of 2025. He was born on March 12, 1952, in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA. His zodiac sign is Pisces, and he celebrates his birthday every year on March 12th.
What is Rich Koz’s net worth?
As of 2025, Rich Koz’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. He has accumulated this wealth through his extensive career as a television host and broadcaster spanning over four decades. His primary income sources include his hosting duties on MeTV’s Svengoolie program, syndicated shows, and various television appearances.
Koz’s earnings come from his work on multiple programs throughout his career. While his exact salary per episode is not publicly disclosed, his long-running tenure on national television through MeTV since 2011 has contributed significantly to his financial success. He also earns income from merchandise sales, public appearances, and his role hosting Stooge-a-Palooza.
Rich Koz’s career
Early beginnings
Rich Koz discovered his passion for broadcasting while attending Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. He got his start at WMTH-FM, the high school radio station, where he developed his skills in entertainment and communication. His early interest in comedy and horror films shaped his future career path.
While studying communications at Northwestern University in the early 1970s, Koz began sending comedy material to Jerry G. Bishop, the original Svengoolie who hosted a horror movie showcase on Chicago television. Bishop was impressed with Koz’s writing and invited him to join the show’s staff as a writer.
Writing for the Original Svengoolie
Koz worked as a writer for Jerry G. Bishop’s original Svengoolie program from 1970 to 1973. This experience gave him invaluable insight into horror hosting and comedy writing. When the show was cancelled in 1973, Koz and Bishop worked together doing morning shows on WMAQ radio in Chicago.
During this period, Koz also collaborated with radio legend Dick Orkin on commercials and syndicated features, including “ChickenMan Returns for the Last Time Again.” This work helped him refine his comedic timing and broadcasting skills.
Son of Svengoolie
In 1978, when Jerry G. Bishop moved to San Diego, he gave Koz permission to create a new horror hosting show. In June 1979, Koz debuted as “Son of Svengoolie” on WFLD-TV Channel 32 in Chicago. The show became an immediate hit with local audiences who appreciated Koz’s unique blend of comedy and horror film presentations.
The Son of Svengoolie program won numerous local Emmy Awards and was briefly syndicated to sister stations in Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, and San Francisco. The show ran successfully until 1986, when News Corporation acquired WFLD and cancelled the program, believing it was not dignified enough for a network affiliate.
The Koz Zone
From 1989 to 1993, Rich Koz returned to WFLD, now rebranded as Fox 32, to host a new show called The Koz Zone. The program featured cartoons and sketch comedy bits, with Koz appearing to “break in” to the Fox signal. This concept was inspired by an actual incident where Chicago television signals were pirated.
The Koz Zone won Koz another local Emmy Award and later evolved into the daily Koz Zone for Kids. During this period, he also worked as a co-host on live Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve programming and served as a weekend and fill-in weather anchor for Fox 32 News.
Return as Svengoolie
In 1995, Rich Koz joined the launch team for newly independent station WCIU-TV Channel 26 in Chicago. Jerry G. Bishop told him he could drop the “Son of” from his character name because he was “all grown up now,” and Koz officially became simply “Svengoolie.”
The revived Svengoolie show quickly regained its popularity in the Chicago area. Starting in 2011, the show expanded to national syndication when it became a regular Saturday night program on the MeTV classic television network. This move brought Koz’s unique brand of horror hosting to audiences across America.
Stooge-a-Palooza and other work
In 2003, Rich Koz began hosting Stooge-a-Palooza, a weekly showcase of Three Stooges comedy shorts. The syndicated program has allowed him to demonstrate his versatility as an entertainer beyond the horror genre. He has continued hosting this show while maintaining his Svengoolie duties.
Throughout his career, Koz has made numerous public appearances at horror conventions, comic cons, and fan events. In 2025, he made his San Diego Comic-Con debut, further cementing his status as a pop culture icon.
Awards and recognition
Rich Koz has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He has won multiple Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards, including wins in 1980, 1981, 1990, and 1996. In 2004, he was inducted into the prestigious NATAS Silver Circle for his outstanding contributions to Chicago television.
In 2014, the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications honored Koz with a special night showcasing his work as a horror host. In 2021, he received one of his most significant honors when he was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact on horror entertainment.
Is Rich Koz married? Wife and family
Rich Koz has been married to the same woman since the early 1980s. He has maintained a private personal life, and his wife’s name has not been publicly disclosed. The couple has been together for over 40 years and has weathered various challenges together throughout their marriage.
Rich Koz’s daughter
Rich Koz and his wife have one daughter who was born in the mid-1980s between his Son of Svengoolie run and the show’s return. Their daughter was born with spina bifida, a congenital condition affecting the spine and spinal cord. She faced numerous health struggles throughout her childhood, particularly with her bladder, kidneys, and legs.
At age 17, Koz’s daughter underwent a risky surgery to address her health complications. Now in her 30s, she has persevered through her medical challenges with the support of her parents. The family’s experience with her condition has been a significant part of their lives.
Rich Koz’s health challenges
In March 2002, Rich Koz suffered his first heart attack at his home. He underwent two angioplasty procedures and made a successful recovery. Despite this health scare, he continued his work on Svengoolie without significant interruption.
In November 2012, Koz suffered a second heart attack, also at his home. He again recovered successfully and returned to work after medical treatment. His wife and family have been instrumental in helping him maintain his optimism during these difficult health challenges.
As of 2025, Koz continues to host Svengoolie and has stated he plans to continue as long as his health permits and viewers enjoy the program.
Fast Facts about Rich Koz
- Rich Koz got his broadcasting start at his high school radio station WMTH-FM at Maine East High School.
- He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in communications.
- Koz worked with radio legend Dick Orkin on commercials and syndicated comedy features.
- In the early 1980s, his 3-D broadcast of “Revenge of the Creature” resulted in a civil lawsuit from viewers who felt they didn’t get enough 3-D effect for the 89 cents they spent on cardboard glasses.
- He has won 16 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards throughout his career.
- Rich Koz was raised in a Catholic household in Morton Grove, Illinois.
- His father was a sheet-metal worker and his mother was a housewife.
- He briefly worked as a fill-in morning host at WGN radio and WCKG radio in Chicago.
- Svengoolie has been on the air in some form for over 45 years, making it one of the longest-running hosted movie programs in television history.
- MeTV executives have stated they want Rich Koz as Svengoolie “for the next 1,000 years,” showing the network’s commitment to keeping the show running.
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Wrapping up
Rich Koz is an iconic Chicago television personality whose career as Svengoolie has spanned over four decades. His unique blend of horror films and comedy has entertained multiple generations of viewers. With an estimated net worth between $1 million and $2 million, numerous Emmy Awards, and a devoted fan base across America, Koz has cemented his legacy as one of television’s most beloved horror hosts. As of 2025, he continues to host Svengoolie on MeTV every Saturday night, bringing laughter and classic horror films to audiences nationwide.
References
- Rich Koz. “Rich Koz – Biography – IMDb“. IMDb.
- “Rich Koz“. Wikipedia.
- “Rich Koz | Svengoolie Wiki“. Fandom.
- “The Chicago Ghoul Who Will Not Die! Horror host Svengoolie lives on“. Chicago Tribune.
- “Rich Koz keeping Halloween season spooky as Svengoolie“. Reading Eagle.
- “2004 Chicago Silver Circle Honorees“. NATAS Chicago/Midwest.
- “Rich Koz Is a Gifted Man behind Iconic Svengoolie“. AmoMama.
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