Bryant Gumbel, an American journalist, successfully kept his cancer battle hidden from the media for months, concealing surgery and the reason for his weight loss. But it wasn’t just cancer that contributed to his weight loss; even in his 50s, he exercised regularly and kept his body in shape.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Bryant Gumbel |
| Date of Birth | Sep 29, 1948 |
| Age | 75 years old |
| Height/How tall? | 5 feet 9 inches |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Father Name | Richard Dunbar Gumbel |
| Mother Name | Rhea Alice Gumbel |
| Gender Identity | Male |
| Is Married? | Yes |
| Is Gay? | No |
| Net Worth | $25 Million |
Gumbel’s Disease: Lung Cancer
Bryant Gumbel, the host of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, shocked his fans in December 2009 when he revealed a health problem. Gumbel had kept his cancer a secret from the staff of his HBO show, Real Sports, and fans. He had always recorded his monthly show on time and had never missed a day of work.
As a result, his colleagues and fans were unaware that he had cancer and had undergone surgery to remove the malignant tumor in late 2008. Only two months after his surgery, while attending the American talk show Live With Regis and Kelly in the first week of December 2009, the media personality opened up about his health.
He had appeared as a replacement for Regis Philbin in the episode. And when Kelly asked him to dance behind the stage, he had no choice but to reveal his surgery. According to the Louisiana native, the doctor cut through his chest to remove the malignant tumor and a portion of his lung.
He revealed that the surgery had not completely removed all cancerous cells and that he would need to undergo additional treatments. Though the primary cause of lung cancer is never known, many speculated that his lung cancer was a long-term result of his chain-smoking. The journalist smoked three packs a day when he was in his twenties. He gave up smoking after landing a job as an anchor at CBS News.
Fortunately, the surgery helped, and the pathology on most of the stuff turned out to be benign. He was cancer-free a year after starting the medication, and he told People in December 2010 that he was overjoyed. Bryant is now in good health and hosts HBO’s acclaimed investigative series Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.
Exercise Helped Him Lose Weight
Bryant had already balanced his weight through exercise before his lung cancer significantly affected his weight loss. He went to the gym every day after finishing his work at the SportsCenter and did an hour of cardio. His daily regimen also included an hour of weight lifting. He revealed to The Washington Post in 2003 that he had lost 55 pounds.
Is he married to Hilary Quinlan?
After divorcing his first wife, June Baranco, in 1997, the 72-year-old began his relationship with Hilary Quinlan. From his first marriage, he has two children: a son named Bradley Christopher Gumbel and a daughter named Jillian Gumbel.
Bryant proposed to his future wife, Hilary, in 2001, and the couple married in August 2002. Jillian, his daughter, married William Russell Robins on November 11, 2011.
