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The Daily Insight

What Happened To Bernie Smilovitz -Where Is He Now? Is He Sick?

Author

John Parsons

Published Feb 16, 2026

What Happened To Bernie Smilovitz? Smilovitz is an Emmy-Award winning Local 4 WDIV Detroit sports anchor. Many people wonder where Bernie is now and if he is okay because of his absence from work.

Bernie, Sports Director of WDIV-TV, is a go-to source for information about Detroit’s franchise sports teams and other professional sports.

He’s noted for the humor that influences his reporting and in his famous “Bernie’s Bloopers” and “Weekend at Bernie’s” sports segments, and he’s won six Best Sportscaster and local Emmy Awards.

Smilovitz grew up in southeast Washington, D.C., after being born in Brooklyn. Bernie has become a Metro Detroit celebrity after working at WDIV for 36 years. However, few people are aware of his history as a 2G – the child of Holocaust survivors.

Recently Bernie is not active in his profession, which led to curiosity among his daily viewers. In this article, the latest information about Bernie will be provided.

Some Quick Facts About Bernie Smilovitz

NameBernie Smilovitz
Age60-65
ProfessionSports Anchor
ChannelLocal 4 WDIV Detroit
MotherRita

What Happened To Bernie Smilovitz? Is He Sick?

Bernie Smilovitz doesn’t seem to be currently active in his profession. Also, Bernie reported on Twitter that he was sick and was recovering.

In his latest tweet, Bernie mentioned that he had COVID since the start of September, but in his tweet, Bernie mentioned that he was getting better because of all the warm wishes.

Smilovitz stated in that tweet that after two weeks of COVID, he was recovering and getting better, but since then he has not posted any tweets.

Many people have also assumed that Bernie might have the network because of his recent disappearance, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Bernie’s bio on Twitter states that he is working with Local 4 WDIV Detroit.

Where Is Bernie Smilovitz Now? Illness and Health Update

Bernie Smilovitz may be resting currently. Through Twitter, Bernie gave his health an update and said he would return in a few days, but many people didn’t notice Bernie while watching the channel.

The disappearance led to various questions. Some fans think that his health condition may have worsened, and some believe that, he plans to leave the network.

Bernie has not posted anything after his latest health update. Also, the last sports article he wrote was around one month ago. When Smilovitz was on his COVID break, many thought he was having a good time and on vacation.

Make sure to keep an eye on Smilovitz’s Twitter account as he may give updates there.

Bernie Smilovitz Parents Have An Interesting Story

Bernie Smilovitz has an interesting story about her parents. He said his mother never wanted to talk to him about her Holocaust experiences.

Rita, Bernie’s mother, was born in Czechoslovakia in 1925. She was born into a big farm family of 11, supported by her dad’s general store.

She was 15 years old when her mother expired from typhus. Rita describes several of the awful things she witnessed in the documentary: “every morning, we were sleeping over bodies.”

Bernie’s grandfather wanted his father, Izzie, to become a rabbi. Izzie recalls being held in a slave labor camp for four years and being forced to chop trees that 30 or 40 people would then carry up the hill.

Rita and Izzy both moved to NYC in the late 1940s and found work in factories. They met on Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach. “He’s the sweetest person,” Izzy’s sibling told Rita. “You should marry him,” she said, and she did.

Some FAQs

What Happened To Bernie Smilovitz?

Bernie reported on Twitter that he was sick and was recovering.

What Is The Health Update Of Bernie Smilovitz?

Through Twitter, Bernie gave his health an update and said he would return in a few days.

Who Is The Mother Of Bernie Smilovitz?

Bernie’s mother Rita is a strong woman who is also the survivor of the Holocaust