How Old Is Tracy McCool? Age, Net Worth, Salary, Husband & Career

Tracy McCool has spent more than three decades as a familiar and trusted face on Northeast Ohio television, anchoring the evening news for FOX 8 in Cleveland. Viewers know her not only for her calm, confident delivery but also for the personal openness she has shown through some of life’s toughest moments.

From her early days as a news intern to becoming one of Cleveland’s most respected evening anchors, Tracy’s story combines professional dedication with real personal resilience. This article covers her age, career journey, family life, and the health advocacy work she has become known for.

Tracy McCool Bio

Field	Details
Full Name	Tracy Lyn McCool
Gender	Female
Date of Birth	April 6, 1966
Age	60 years old (as of 2026)
Place of Birth	Copley/Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Current Residence	Akron, Ohio, United States
Nationality	American
Height	Approximately 5 ft 6 in
Marital Status	Widowed
Late Husband	John Cook
Children	Two (Cassidy and Carter Cook)
High School	Copley High School
Alma Mater	Kent State University
Profession	Television News Anchor, Reporter
Current Employer	FOX 8 News (WJW-TV), Cleveland
Years Active	Since 1994
Net Worth	Estimated between $1 million and $5 million

Who is Tracy McCool?

Tracy McCool is a veteran American television journalist best known for her long-running role as an evening news anchor at FOX 8 News (WJW-TV) in Cleveland, Ohio. She currently co-anchors the station’s top-rated 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts, delivering breaking news and community stories to viewers across Northeast Ohio.

Over her decades-long career, Tracy has become known not just for her professional consistency but also for the personal strength she has shown while navigating major life challenges, including the loss of her husband. Her willingness to share parts of her personal journey has deepened her connection with loyal viewers.

How Old is Tracy McCool? Age and Birthday

Tracy McCool was born on April 6, 1966, which makes her 60 years old as of 2026. Her zodiac sign is Aries, and she celebrates her birthday every year on April 6.

Despite her decades on air, Tracy has maintained a strong and consistent presence in Cleveland media, earning her a reputation as one of the market’s longest-serving evening anchors.

Where is Tracy McCool From?

Tracy McCool was raised in Copley, Ohio, a small community located just outside Akron. She has often spoken fondly of her hometown, referencing local diners, parks, and memories from her school years.

She now lives in the Akron area, staying close to the community where she grew up.

Tracy McCool’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements

Tracy McCool stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches. Exact details regarding her weight and body measurements have not been officially confirmed, so any figures found online should be considered general estimates rather than verified facts.

What is Tracy McCool’s Net Worth and Salary?

Estimates of Tracy McCool’s net worth vary across different sources, generally ranging from around $200,000 up to $5 million, with the $1 million to $5 million range being the most commonly cited estimate. This wealth reflects her more than three decades of steady work in television journalism.

Salary

Reported salary estimates for Tracy McCool differ widely, with figures ranging anywhere from roughly $40,000 to over $150,000 annually. Her exact current salary at FOX 8 has not been officially disclosed.

Income Sources

Long-term anchor and reporter salary at FOX 8 News
Decades of broadcasting experience across multiple Ohio markets
Public appearances and community event participation
Advocacy-related speaking engagements

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Education

Tracy McCool graduated from Copley High School before attending Kent State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She later returned to her alma mater as the Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal in 2014, a nod to her lasting connection with the university.

While in college, Tracy also worked as a waitress at a popular Kent eatery and once considered pursuing a career as a police officer before committing fully to journalism.

Tracy McCool’s Career

Tracy McCool’s broadcasting career began behind the scenes at FOX 8 in Cleveland, where she worked first as a news intern and later as a morning show producer before eventually moving in front of the camera. She joined FOX 8 as a full-time staff member on September 6, 1994.

Before returning to Cleveland permanently, Tracy also gained experience as a reporter and anchor at WICU-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, and later at WSYX-TV and WTTE-TV in Columbus, Ohio, for about two years.

Building the Akron/Summit County Bureau

In May 2000, Tracy rejoined FOX 8 News as a general assignment reporter and played a key role in establishing the station’s Akron/Summit County Bureau at Summit Mall. This bureau helped strengthen FOX 8’s local coverage in the Akron area, a region Tracy knew well from her own upbringing.

Evening Anchor Role

Tracy eventually transitioned into her current position as a co-anchor of FOX 8’s top-rated 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts, working alongside colleagues such as Gabe Spiegel and Lou Maglio. Earlier in her career, she also became a familiar face to early risers through her work as a morning show reporter and fill-in anchor.

Advocacy and Special Projects

Beyond her regular anchoring duties, Tracy McCool is widely recognized for her advocacy work around colon cancer awareness, encouraging younger adults to get screened earlier rather than waiting until the standard recommended age. This advocacy grew directly out of her own family’s experience with the disease.

Is Tracy McCool Married? Husband, Family, and Relationship Status

Tracy McCool was married to John Cook, her high school sweetheart from Copley High School. The couple built their life together in the Akron area, raising two children while John pursued his own career as a military veteran and MMA coach.

Tracy is currently widowed following John’s passing, and there is no public information suggesting she is dating anyone since his death.

John Cook’s Illness and Death

John Cook was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in the fall of 2018 and battled the disease for about five years before passing away in 2023 at age 53. During his illness, John became a vocal advocate for early cancer screening, publicly urging others to get tested well before the standard recommended age. Following his passing, Tracy shared heartfelt messages with viewers, describing the support of her children and expressing gratitude for the community’s prayers during that difficult period. She has since continued sharing John’s message about the importance of early screening as part of her own advocacy work.

Tracy McCool’s Children

Tracy and John are parents to two children, daughter Cassidy and son Carter Cook. Cassidy was born in 2006, while Carter followed roughly a year later. Both children were raised in the Akron area and have remained close to their mother through the family’s ups and downs.

Family Pets

The McCool-Cook family also shares their home with two dogs, named Samson and Nikko. Tracy has spoken about her pets as an important part of daily family life in the Akron household.

Social Media Presence

Tracy McCool connects with her Northeast Ohio audience through social media, sharing updates about her career, family, and advocacy work.

Platform	Handle/ID
X (Twitter)	@TracyMcCoolFOX8
Facebook	Tracy McCool FOX 8
Instagram	@tracymccoolfox8

Tracy McCool: Fast Facts

Her full name is Tracy Lyn McCool, and close friends call her “Trace.”
She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1994.
She joined FOX 8 News as a staff member on September 6, 1994.
She helped establish FOX 8’s Akron/Summit County Bureau at Summit Mall.
She once considered becoming a police officer before choosing journalism.
She served as Kent State University’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal in 2014.
Her late husband, John Cook, was her high school sweetheart from Copley High.
She is a vocal advocate for early colon cancer screening.
She lives in the Akron area with her two children and their two dogs, Samson and Nikko.
Her favorite band is Queensrÿche, and she was once surprised on air with tickets to see them.

Conclusion

Tracy McCool’s career reflects the kind of steady, long-term dedication that builds real trust with a local audience. From her early days behind the scenes at FOX 8 to becoming one of Cleveland’s most recognizable evening anchors, her journey spans more than three decades of consistent, community-focused journalism.

Just as importantly, Tracy’s openness about losing her husband John to colon cancer has turned personal tragedy into meaningful advocacy, encouraging countless viewers to prioritize early health screenings. Her strength in balancing motherhood, career, and loss continues to resonate with the Northeast Ohio community she has served for so long.

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