Steven John Wilkos (born March 9, 1964) is an American television personality and former law enforcement officer with the Chicago Police Department. He has been hosting The Steve Wilkos Show since 2007 and served as the director of security on Jerry Springer from 1994 to 2007. Prior to getting his own talk show, Wilkos occasionally substituted for Springer as host.
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Steve Wilkos Net Worth
Steve Wilkos has a net worth of $6 million. While working on “The Jerry Springer Show,” he appeared on several shows, including “The Roseanne Show,” “Check, Please!” “Identity,” and “Maury.” He also appeared in the 2002 documentary “When Jerry Springer Ruled the World.”
In 2006, Jerry Springer asked Wilkos to fill in as host for “Dancing with the Stars”, later recruiting him to substitute weekly. Wilkos made cameo appearances on the MLB Network, “Between Brothers,” “The Wayne Bros.”, and in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.”
Early life
Steven Wilkos was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the Roscoe Village neighborhood in North Center, Chicago. He is the third of four children.
His mother, Jeanette (née Pelikan), was a beauty school instructor, while his father, Stanley Wilkos, was a former police officer and Korean War veteran who served as an army paratrooper. Wilkos graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1982.
Career
In early 1990, Steven Wilkos joined the Chicago Police Department, where he worked until 2004. His TV career began in 1994 when he was asked to provide security for “The Jerry Springer Show.” After a successful stint, Wilkos joined the show full-time in 2001.
He also had a brief wrestling career with the Maryland Wrestling Championship. Wilkos appeared on shows like “The Roseanne Show” and “Maury,” and even substituted for Springer on the show. He also made cameos on various TV shows and in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.”
Personal life
Steven Wilkos was first married to Rosae Wilkos from 1985 to 1987 and then to Hannah Wilkos in 1999, but they divorced within a year. In 2000, he married Rachelle Consiglio, an executive producer for “The Jerry Springer Show.”
They have two children and reside in Darien, Connecticut, with a second home in Camp Lake, Wisconsin. Wilkos was involved in a rollover car accident in January 2018, arrested for drunk driving with a blood alcohol level of .29. He later requested an alternative punishment to dismiss the charges.
Why did Steve Wilkos get a show?
Wilkos’s larger-than-life personality as the stage security officer on “Jerry Springer” led to his own show. His unique approach to dealing with guests and resolving conflicts garnered him enough popularity to host “The Steve Wilkos Show.“
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Conclusion
Steve Wilkos’s transition from a law enforcement officer to a television personality has been remarkable. His net worth of $6 million is a testament to his success in television and his ability to connect with audiences through his straightforward approach.
FAQs about Steve Wilkos’s Net Worth
- What contributed to Steve Wilkos’s net worth? – His television career, especially as the host of his own show, is the primary contributor to his net worth.
- How did Steve Wilkos transition from law enforcement to television? – His role as a security guard on “Jerry Springer” paved the way for his entry into television.
- What is unique about Wilkos’s hosting style? – His direct and no-nonsense approach, likely influenced by his law enforcement background, sets him apart.
- Has Wilkos’s show received critical acclaim? – “The Steve Wilkos Show” has been successful and popular, as evidenced by its renewal for multiple seasons.
- What other television appearances has Wilkos made? – Besides his own show, Wilkos has made cameo appearances in various TV series and films.