I was born and raised in the Coachella Valley (Indio, California), and majored in
drama and English at Coachella Valley Union High School. I am the father of two
children, Michael Joseph Ortiz, who is a Country singer and DJ in Billings, Montana;
and Christen Danielle Ortiz, who is a gymnastics coach for numerous celebrity kids
in the San Fernado Valley. I am the uncle of Vanessa Marcil (formerly played
"Brenda Barret" on General Hospital, and currently co-stars with James Caan on NBC
Televisions series, "Las Vegas.")
Unforgettable highlights in my career include being asked to sit in for reknown
talk show host, Michael Jackson at KABC Talk Radio; and drafting a 1973 Los Angeles
City Council Resolution (while working for City Councilman John Ferraro) to honor Al
Lohman and Roger Barkley, of "Lohman & Barkley" fame on KFI Radio.
In addition to receiving a Golden Mike Award for Best News Team (while serving as
Chief News reporter for KPFK-FM's Evening News in 1976), I was also awarded
"The Angel Award" for Best Talk Show Host of 1973. In 1988, I was named to Hispanic
Business Magazine's "100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S."