Obituaries

Chuck Michael Schodowski, fondly known as Big Chuck, has passed away at 90, with the cause of his death yet to be officially confirmed. Born and based in Cleveland, Ohio, Big Chuck was known for co-hosting late-night programs Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show and The Big Chuck & Lil’ John Show on WJW Channel 8. The local TV personality was known for his hilarious theatrics which kept Cleveland audiences engaged with his shows since the ‘60s. Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Big Chuck, whose television career spanned almost six decades. “He was an absolute legend…One of the greats. I highly recommend his autobiography. It's terrific!” an X user gushed, urging others to read Big Chuck! My 47 Years On Cleveland TV. Someone else recalled going with her Girls Scout troop to the filming of Big Chuck & Little John, adding that Chuck was so nice to everyone, especially the kids, “Big Chuck & Lil’ John were a huge part of my life growing up in Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie. The show’s trademark laugh & sketch comedy will live on forever. RIP Big Chuck Schodowski,” another added. “A consummate professional who did it all with humor, class and grace. Godspeed and farewell, Big Chuck!” a third comment read. Big Chuck and Little John were the perfect hosting duo Big Chuck and Little John/Instagram It all began in the early ‘60s when Big Chuck moved to channel 8 as a full-time engineer. He worked with Ernie Anderson, who launched his late-night show Ghoulardi in 1963, and the program became an impressive success. Three years later, Ernie decided it was time to leave for Hollywood and Big Chuck took over his program with weather reporter Bob Well joining him for Hoolihan and the Big Chuck Show. It ran for more than a decade, perfectly filling the vacuum Ghoulardi left behind with horror flicks, B movies, parodies, and the like. Big Chuck/Instagram Hoolihan And The Big Chuck Show ended in 1979 because Schowdoski’s partner left to work as a Christian radio broadcaster, leaving just Big Chuck behind. Thankfully, there was John Rinaldi, whom Big Chuck had worked with on well-received skits on the Hoolihan And The Big Chuck Show, and together they became Little John and Big Chuck Show. Like the preceding program, it quickly became a hit for late-night local television and lasted for decades. Schodowski enjoyed working with Lil John, as he once called him a bundle of enthusiasm, noting that there was never a sad moment with him around. Big Chuck and Little John/Instagram The late star continued working after retiring Big Chuck/Instagram Big Chuck announced his retirement in 2008, admitting that his physical health could no longer handle the demands of his job. The following year, he released his autobiography and continued to attend Ghoulardifest, with fans coming together to celebrate Schowdoski and his characters. Fans wanted to see more of Big Chuck, and WJW responded with Saturday morning reruns and new versions of skits by him and Lil John in 2011. The duo returned as hosts, followed by a switch in schedules to Sunday night in 2015 until Big Chuck’s recent passing. Big Chuck and Little John/Instagram Schowdoski’s show made him relevant across generations, and he wrote about the heartwarming admiration he received from fans, noting that it was the major driving force behind him continuing the program. He would receive tons of letters thanking him for saving their lives with humor, and this was all Big Chuck needed to keep going. Both of their shows received up to 28 Emmy Awards. Although Schodowski had the chance to expand and move to Hollywood, he chose to remain in Cleveland because he hated Los Angeles. He did not want to miss out on the kind community spirit his home city had to offer. He is survived by his widow, June Cole, and their five kids, Michael, Mark, Marilyn, Melissa, and Michelle.