Aníbal González Irizarry

Early years

Irizarry was born and raised in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, where he also received his primary and secondary education. He completed 3 years of high school at Sabana Grande High School before his family moved to San Juan. There he attended the "Escuela Superior Central" (Central High School) of Santurce. In 1942, when he was 15 years old, he began to work at "WPRA" a radio station in Mayaguez and soon became the station's main broadcaster.

Radio broadcastor

In 1950, Irizarry moved to New York City, where he worked for the radio station "WWRL" in a program called "La Voz Hispana del Aire" (The Hispanic Voice on the Air). In that program, he created a character which he called "Monje Loco" (Crazy Priest). In 1951, he joined the radio station "WENX" and was named Director of Spanish Programs.

In 1953, Irizarry joined the United States Army and after he was honorably discharged, he returned to New York and continued to work in the radio as a broadcastor. He enrolled and graduated from "The School of Radio and Television Techniques".

News anchor

In 1956, Irizarry returned to Puerto Rico and joined WKAQ, a Telemundo affiliate as its radio program announcer. He continued his academic career and graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Puerto Rico. Telemundo first introduced Telenoticias en Accion (TV News in Action) in 1954 and in the 1960s, Telenoticias en Accion was reintroduced and Irizarry was named anchor along with Ramon Enrique Torres, Juan Manuel Lebron and Bruni Velez.

Later years

Irizarry married Ruth Perez Perez and they had two children: Anibal Jr. and Lissette. In 1998, Irizarry retired as anchor of Telenoticias en Accion in Telemundo. Besides news broadcasting, Irizarry taught Communications at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Santurce. He is the co-pastor of the Disciples of Christ Church in Ponce. Irizarry also serves as spokesperson for Medicare advanced health plans in Puerto Rico.