Marilyn Turner Obituary and Death: Detroit Weathercaster and “Kelly and Company” Host has died May 15, 2024
Detroit Weathercaster and “Kelly and Company” Host Marilyn Turner has sadly passed away. She died at the age of 93 surrounded by her beloved family. She was confirmed dead through various publications made on social media on Wednesday 15th May 2024. The circumstances surrounding the actual cause of Marilyn Turner’s death has not been revealed at this time.
Turner’s journey into broadcasting began in Ontario, where she grew up. Starting as a commercial spokeswoman, she swiftly transitioned into the role of “Miss Fairweather,” delivering weather reports on WJBK-TV (Channel 2) in 1957. Balancing her meteorological duties with a burgeoning modeling career, Turner became a familiar face to Detroiters, bringing them the latest forecasts with her trademark charm.
In 1973, Turner made a significant move to WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), where she forecasted the weather five nights a week. It was here that she crossed paths with John Kelly, a former colleague from WJBK-TV. Both having gone through divorces, Turner and Kelly found solace and love in each other’s company, eventually tying the knot in December 1974.
The dynamic duo of Turner and Kelly soon became synonymous with Detroit television. From the mid-1970s until 1995, they graced screens as hosts of Kelly & Company, a personable talk show filmed in front of a live studio audience. Their chemistry was palpable, their conversations engaging, and their guests diverse, making the show a cornerstone of WXYZ-TV’s programming and a beloved fixture in Detroit’s cultural landscape.
Beyond Kelly & Company, Turner and Kelly also helmed Good Afternoon Detroit for four years, further cementing their status as local media icons. When Kelly & Company bid farewell in 1995, it marked the end of an era for Detroit television, as it was the city’s last locally-produced non-news program.
Turner’s impact extended beyond her on-screen persona. She was a symbol of professionalism, grace, and resilience, navigating the male-dominated field of broadcasting with poise and determination. Her warmth endeared her to viewers, while her dedication to her craft inspired many aspiring broadcasters.
Turner and her husband, John Kelly, went from news to a prototype of what the ‘Regis and Kathy’ show turned out to be nationally. During ‘Kelly & Company’s’ long run on Channel 7, they were the first stop for touring authors and entertainers and mixed in serious psych advice and sometimes just yucking it up.
Kelly died in 2016. He was 88.
