Another Celebrity Now Lives In The Tampa Bay Area
Over view of downtown Tampa.
It’s not often that you get an unsolicited call from a famous person telling you they love the radio station you run, but that is exactly what has happened. About 6 months ago, I got a call from a “celebrity” who just moved to the Tampa Bay area and loved the radio station, especially the morning show Dave and Chuck the Freak. I think he said Lisa was actually his favorite.
Duane “Dog” Chapman captured lightning in a bottle when his show exploded in the ratings 20 years ago on A&E. The show follows Dog and his family who were based in Hawaii, track down wanted criminals often showing him kicking the front door in, while being armed with a huge can of mace or pepper spray. Dog speaks about not being allowed to carry a gun because he was a convicted felon back in 1977.
Dog lived in Hawaii for many years then moved outside of Naples, Florida to move in with his wife’s best friend Katie Souza, who runs Katie Souza Ministries. Dog and his wife Francie were staying there until his home was built outside of the Sarasota/Bradenton area.
Dog did offer some unsolicited advice for me to give Dave and Chuck. He told me they may want to “tap the breaks” on some of their language. He said his 11 year old grandson loves to listen and always asks “Grandpa, what are they talking about?” to which Dog replies, “I’ll tell ya later”.
Don’t be surprised to see Dog and his wife around the Tampa Bay area, at concerts and possibly at Dave and Chuck the Freak’s Point 5 K, Saturday June 1st at Ferg’s Sports Bar in downtown St Petersburg.
Dog The Bounty Hunter isn’t the only celebrity to live in Tampa Bay. Check out other famous stars who call Tampa “home”.
10 Celebrities Who've Called Tampa Bay Home
Have you even run into any celebrities around Tampa Bay?
If you have lived in Tampa Bay for any amount of time, you have probably come across a numerous amount of famous people. Tampa Bay has had so many celebrities live here at one time or another, it may shock you. The word is out that Channing Tatum is from Tampa Bay. It seems like almost everybody you come in contact with has known the guy in some way. There are many more famous people in Tampa that you might not have eve know about. Here is a list of 10 Celebrities from Tampa Bay.
But before you check out the list, I’ll give you a little inside information. (This is Froggy, by the way). Did you know that I went to high school with Channing? Well, back then we called him “Chan,” but I guess Hollywood makes you go full on birth name. He was actually a really great guy, and ironically, he never mentioned one time that he had the urge to go into acting. Guess things just fell into place for him. Good for Chan! He’s in good company.
Jeff Zito or just "Zito" as he is known to his friends, was born in Summit, NJ. Zito is the afternoon personality and program director of 987 the Shark. He has been with Beasley Media Group since 1999. Zito aspired to be a professional golfer and attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI majoring in PGM (pro golf management). Yes, that is a real major! After college, Zito was an assistant golf professional at the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota. Zito is an avid Bucs fan who likes to paddle board and can sometimes be spotted around the Bay area drinking a margarita. You can read his content about Tampa Bay sports, lifestyle, and celebrities’ first jobs.