Leslie Sykes Biography
Leslie Sykes (Leslie Ann Sykes) is an American television news anchor, journalist and reporter currently working as the morning and midday co-anchor of the “Eyewitness News” at KABC-TV, ABC’s owned and operated television station in Los Angeles.
Leslie Sykes Education
Sykes attended St. Joseph High School (Lakewood, California) and then joined Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she majored and has a degree in English. While there, Sykes made her film debut as “Miss Mission” in Spike Lee’s 1988 film, School Daze.
Leslie Sykes Career
Ann Sykes began her professional career as a journalist after graduating. One of her first jobs was as a general assignment reporter at the now defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. She the got an internship at local independent television station (now My Network TV affiliate) KCOP-TV. This led to a desk assistant position in the news department at Fox affiliate KTTV.
Sykes’ big break came when she landed her first on-air job in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at WDAM-TV. Not only did she serve as a reporter, Sykes anchored three shows a day and produced a newscast. From there Sykes received her first major market assignment at WVUE-TV in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In December 1994, she returned to Los Angeles as a general assignment reporter for KABC-TV’s “Eyewitness News” program.
In late 1998, she was approached by WBBM-TV in Chicago to become its new top female weekend anchor, replacing Sarah Lucero. However, a December 3, 1998 article in the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Sykes had opted “to stay put in L.A.”
In June 1999, she was promoted to co-anchor the weekend edition of the “Eyewitness News”. In 2009, Sykes was promoted again to co-anchor of the 11am-Noon slot and then joined the team on “Eyewitness News This Morning” as well.
Leslie Sykes Leaving Channel 7 News
In July 2021, Leslie’s mother Sylvia Mae Thierry Sykes, passed away and she stepped away for a while. She is still very much a part of the Channel 7 News family.
Leslie Sykes Age
Sykes was born on June 27, 1965 in San Diego, California, United States. She is 59 years old as of 2024.
Leslie Sykes Height
Sykes stands at an estimated height of about 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Leslie Sykes Family
Ann Sykes is the daughter of Abel Baxton Sykes, Jr. (June 1, 1934 – December 19, 2012) and Sylvia Mae Thierry Sykes. She has two older sisters; Daphne Grace Sykes and Dawn Carol Sykes.
Ann Sykes grew up in Compton, California, where her father worked as an administrator for Compton Community College.
Leslie Sykes Husband
She is married to Patrick W. Spann and together they have a son. She currently live in the View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles with her husband and son.
Leslie Sykes Salary
Leslie earns an estimated salary of about $10,000 to $50,000 annually.
Leslie Sykes Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 to $1 million.
Leslie Sykes Nationality
Sykes is American by nationality.