CBS Newsman Charles Osgood Dies at Home — Grieving Family Reveals Cause of Death

The American media landscape mourns the loss of an iconic figure, Charles Osgood, known for his tenure as the congenial host of “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Osgood passed away at 91 at his home in New Jersey. The cause, his family shared with heavy hearts, was dementia. Charles Osgood’s illustrious career spanned over four and a half decades at CBS News, marked by his mastery as a news writer, poet, and author. He took the helm of “CBS Sunday Morning” in 1994, and under his guidance, the show soared to its highest ratings in thirty years. It won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program three times during his stewardship. To pay homage to his legacy, “CBS Sunday Morning” will dedicate a special broadcast to Osgood on January 28, 2024.

Survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean Crafton, and their five children, as well as a sister and brother, Osgood leaves behind a legacy of journalistic excellence and a family that cherishes his memory. The family’s statement highlighted the charm he brought into their lives and gratitude to the audience for embracing him: “We’ll miss him terribly, but there is comfort in knowing his life was charmed, in large part thanks to you.”

CBS, the network that airs “S.W.A.T,” and “Blue Bloods,” shared an Instagram post that memorialized Osgood, celebrating his career that touched virtually every broadcast within CBS News. Fans and colleagues shared their condolences and reflected on his significant impact on the posts.

Jean Crafton Osgood and Osgood’s relationship sparkled with the same wit he was renowned for. Recalling their first date, a proposed basketball game outing, Osgood’s wife said she declined because it was not romantic enough, laughing at the memory.

As Osgood transitioned from television to radio and into semi-retirement, the prospect of more time with family was cherished. His children reminisced about his television persona mirroring the man they knew – full of humor and a zest for life. They eagerly anticipated the return of simple family traditions, like the Sunday morning pancakes ritual, postponed due to Osgood’s commitments to “Sunday Morning.”

When asked who the love of his life was, Osgood readily shared that his wife was his one and only. He also shared that he hoped he would one day die of old age. Charles Osgood’s passing marks the end of an era for many Americans who welcomed him into their homes every Sunday morning.