GREENSBORO, N.C. — He's the Jack of All trades. He can do the news, the weather, live shots, parades, festivals - even sing in a band! Now, after 36 years in broadcast television - the majority of that time served in the Triad - WFMY News 2's Eric Chilton is stepping away from the TV cameras. He'll soon take on a new role with the City of Greensboro.
The Mount Airy native began his broadcasting career back in the summer of 1988 where he waited tables and ran studio cameras part-time at WECT in Wilmington, NC. After a few months, he was off to Myrtle Beach and WPDE-TV 15 where he started his first job in front of the camera. Working as a reporter and fill-in anchor, Chilton defined what his strengths would be in the television industry.
“It was a crazy turn in my career at that point because my roommate was the chief meteorologist and he took a couple days off and suggested that I fill in for him. So, I did. Keep in mind, I had no weather experience yet but I did it and my news director said that I was actually better off the cuff than reading from a teleprompter. So, I started learning weather, and the next thing I know, two of the meteorologists left at the same time for other jobs, and I became the morning show meteorologist,” Chilton recalled.
After a couple years in Myrtle Beach, Chilton came to another Triad station and began his studies through Mississippi State to get his meteorology degree.
“My big break came in the mid to late 90s when I hosted movies on The Disney Channel a few times and was slated to host a game show there, but that didn’t pan out. So, I took a job in Tampa, Florida at WTVT FOX 13 and I was honored to host the number one local morning show Good Day Tampa Bay," Chilton said.
Six years in Tampa, he sharpened his on-air skills and did everything from live shots with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to celebrity interviews. But soon, he had his twins and his home started calling.
“I grew up in Mount Airy, so I also grew up with Triad television," said Chilton. "WFMY News 2 was and is a legendary station. One known across the country in TV circles. They offered me the chief meteorologist role when Randy Jackson retired. I was headed home with two little identical twin cute boys in tow.”
That was 21 years ago and Chilton has since had two more children, his son Tyler and daughter Drew. He's become a staple figure on local television and one of the longest-tenured on-air personalities in the market.
“You know, of my 36-year career, 28 of those were in Triad television. I feel so connected to Greensboro and it is truly my home. So, in my eyes, journalism is serving your community and I had done just about everything there is to do in television - it was time to serve in a different capacity. So, although I’m moving on to another chapter in my life, I will never forget what the Triad did for me and how sweet all of the audiences were to me…allowing me in their homes either in the late-night news before they went to bed or on The Good Morning Show helping get ready for work and school. It’s been a wonderful ride and I hope people never stop coming up to me when I’m out and about to say hello. I’ll always have time to talk…it’s what I do! Just ask my wife.”
Eric Chilton's last day at WFMY News 2 will be Friday, Nov. 8.
