Tracy McCool is a veteran television news anchor working for Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. She is known for her work co-anchoring the top-rated evening newscasts and for her emotional journey through her late husband John Cook’s battle with stage 4 colon cancer. The Copley, Ohio native has become a familiar face in Northeast Ohio television news for more than three decades.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Tracy McCool
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Tracy McCool |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | April 6, 1966 |
| Age | 59 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of birth | Copley, Ohio, United States |
| Current residence | Akron area, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Widowed |
| Spouse | John Cook (deceased May 9, 2023) |
| Children | Two (Cassidy and Carter) |
| Alma mater | Copley High School, Kent State University |
| Profession | Television news anchor, journalist |
| Net worth | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
Who is Tracy McCool?
Tracy McCool is a television news anchor who has spent more than three decades working in broadcast journalism.
She joined Fox 8 News in Cleveland in September 1994, making 2024 her 30th anniversary with the station.
Tracy co-anchors the top-rated 5 p.m. newscast alongside Gabe Spiegel and the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts with Lou Maglio.
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Tracy became a household name through her professional journalism work and her personal story.
Her husband John Cook’s five-year battle with stage 4 colon cancer, which she openly shared with viewers, touched thousands of people across Northeast Ohio and beyond. John passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 53.
Tracy has won multiple Emmy awards for her journalism work and has been recognized for her contributions to local television news.
She was named Kent State University’s 2014 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal, returning to her alma mater to lead the weekend’s celebration.
How old is Tracy McCool? Age and birthday
Tracy McCool is 59 years old as of 2026. She was born on April 6, 1966, in Copley, Ohio. Her zodiac sign is Aries. Tracy celebrates her birthday every year on April 6.
Tracy McCool’s height, weight, and body measurements
Tracy McCool stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall and weighs around 132 pounds (60 kg).
She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Tracy is known for her polished, professional appearance on television.
Career
Early career beginnings
Tracy McCool began her broadcasting career behind the scenes at Fox 8 News. She started as a news intern while still a student at Kent State University.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast news, Tracy landed a position as an associate producer at Fox 8.
She worked the night show, running the prompter for anchors Wilma Smith and Tim Taylor. Before long, she moved into producing roles.
Career progression
Before moving in front of the camera, Tracy gained reporting experience in smaller markets. She worked at WICU-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, for three years.
She then moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she served as a reporter and anchor for WSYX-TV and WTTE-TV for two years.
Fox 8 News
Tracy rejoined Fox 8 News in May 2000 as a general assignment reporter. She played a key role in establishing Fox 8’s Akron/Summit County Bureau at Summit Mall.
She became a familiar face to early morning viewers through her work as a morning show news reporter and fill-in anchor.
Over the years, Tracy moved through various time slots before landing her current role as evening news anchor. She celebrated 30 years with Fox 8 on September 6, 2024.
Her co-anchors Gabe Spiegel and Natalie Herbick surprised her on air with a special tribute recognizing her three decades of service.
Awards and recognition
Tracy has won multiple Emmy awards throughout her career. She has also received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for her journalism work.
Kent State University honored her as the 2014 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal, recognizing her successful broadcasting career and contributions to the field.
What is Tracy McCool’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Tracy McCool’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $5 million. She has built this wealth through her long career in television journalism.
Tracy earns her income primarily from her role as evening news anchor at Fox 8 News. While her exact salary has not been publicly disclosed, news anchors in the Cleveland market typically earn between $60,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience and tenure.
Given Tracy’s three decades of experience and position as a top anchor at one of Cleveland’s leading news stations, her annual salary likely falls at the higher end of this range.
The average salary for news anchors at Fox 8 ranges from approximately $41,944 to $54,185 per year for morning anchors, while evening anchors at major stations typically command higher compensation.
Is Tracy McCool married? Husband, children, and family
Marriage to John Cook
Tracy McCool was married to John Cook. The couple met during their high school years at Copley High School in 1986. They married in December 2002, after reconnecting years after their initial meeting.
John Cook’s career and background
John Cook served in the U.S. military before building a career in mixed martial arts. He was an MMA fighter and later became the owner of Evolve MMA gym, where he trained mixed martial arts fighters. John was known in the MMA community as a respected coach and fighter.
John’s cancer battle
John Cook was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2018. Doctors initially gave him less than two years to live. Tracy openly shared their journey with Fox 8 viewers over the next five years.
John underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, clinical trials, and various treatments. The couple traveled hundreds of miles seeking treatment options.
Tracy documented their journey on social media, sharing both the difficult moments and the hopeful updates.
John remained a fighter throughout his battle, gathering strength even on his worst days to support his children.
John Cook passed away on May 9, 2023, at 10:52 p.m., with Tracy by his side. He was 53 years old. His death came after a five-year battle with the disease.
Children
Tracy McCool has two children with John Cook. Their daughter Cassidy was born in August 2006 and turned 19 years old in August 2025.
Their son Carter is younger than Cassidy. Both children attended Highland High School, where Cassidy participated in the Charity Ball as a debutante in December 2024.
Tracy frequently shares updates about her children on social media, celebrating their milestones and achievements. She has described motherhood as one of her most important roles.
Current relationship status
As of 2026, Tracy McCool remains widowed. There is no public information indicating she has remarried or entered into a new relationship.
She continues to honor John’s memory through her advocacy for colon cancer awareness and early detection.
Where does Tracy McCool live?
Tracy McCool lives in the Akron area of Ohio with her two children, Cassidy and Carter. The family also has two dogs named Samson and Nikko. Tracy has described Samson as a 200-pound dog.
Tracy enjoys spending time in Northeast Ohio, the region where she was born and raised. She frequently shares glimpses of her life outside the newsroom, including her love for golf, skiing, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Education background
Tracy McCool graduated from Copley High School in Copley, Ohio. She went on to attend Kent State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast news.
While at Kent State, Tracy considered becoming a police officer as a second career choice and nearly took the police officer exam.
During her time at Kent State, Tracy worked as a waitress at Mike’s Place to support herself. Her first job was picking corn at Szalay’s in Peninsula, Ohio.
Tracy McCool’s advocacy work
Following John Cook’s death, Tracy has continued his mission to raise awareness about colon cancer and the importance of early detection.
She has used her platform at Fox 8 to share information about screening, symptoms, and the importance of getting checked.
Tracy has shared John’s final message with viewers: the importance of getting screened for colon cancer, especially if there is a family history or unexplained symptoms.
John’s experience showed that colon cancer can affect people in their 40s and 50s, not just older adults.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Tracy McCool has approximately 27,000 followers on Instagram, where her handle is @tracymccool.
She shares updates about her professional work, family life, and advocacy for colon cancer awareness. Her Instagram bio describes her as “Fox 8 News Evening Anchor, Wife, Momma.”
On Facebook, Tracy has a public page with more than 88,000 likes. She uses the platform to connect with viewers, share station updates, and post personal reflections about her family.
Tracy is also active on Twitter (now X) with the handle @TracyMcCool, where she has approximately 6,754 followers. She uses social media to engage with the Northeast Ohio community and promote her newscasts.
Fast facts about Tracy McCool
- Tracy’s very first job was picking corn at Szalay’s in Peninsula, Ohio.
- She has a 200-pound dog named Samson (also called Sam), along with another dog named Nikko.
- Tracy takes pickle and mayo on her hot dogs, which she describes as “yummy.”
- She likes to drink directly from the milk jug.
- Tracy nearly became a police officer instead of a journalist. She almost took the police officer exam while attending Kent State University.
- She worked as a waitress at Mike’s Place to support herself during college.
- Tracy was named Kent State University’s 2014 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal, an honor recognizing her successful broadcasting career.
- Her favorite band is Queensrÿche, a Washington-based heavy metal band. For her birthday in April 2024, she was surprised with the opportunity to meet the band before their show at the House of Blues in Cleveland.
- Tracy has participated in fitness challenges, including flipping tires at TITLE Boxing Club, showcasing her commitment to physical fitness.
- She celebrated 30 years with Fox 8 News on September 6, 2024, making her one of the station’s longest-serving anchors.
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Wrapping up
Tracy McCool is a respected television news anchor who has spent more than three decades informing Northeast Ohio viewers.
The Fox 8 News evening anchor has built a successful career while navigating profound personal challenges, including her late husband’s battle with cancer.
Tracy continues to honor John Cook’s memory through advocacy work while raising their two children and serving the Cleveland community.
Her dedication to journalism and her openness about life’s difficulties have made her a beloved figure in Northeast Ohio television.
References
- FOX 8 News. “Tracy McCool – FOX 8 News”.
- Beacon Journal. “Fox 8’s Tracy McCool’s husband dies after 5-year colon cancer fight”.
- Cleveland.com. “Fox 8’s Tracy McCool’s husband dies from cancer”.
- FOX 8 News. “Brave battle: Tracy McCool’s husband John has passed away”.
- FOX 8 News. “Tracy McCool celebrates 30 years with FOX 8 News in Cleveland”.
- Telich Talks. “Tracy McCool/A Forever Love”.
- Billow Funeral Homes. “John W. Cook Obituary May 9, 2023”.
- Sportskeeda. “Veteran MMA coach and FOX anchor Tracy McCool’s husband John Cook dies of colon cancer”.
Disclaimer: The information on Megapicsly.com is collected from trusted sources. However, we do not guarantee accuracy or completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact us at info@megapicsly.com.
