Who was Harry Teinowitz? All about ESPN 1000 personality as he dies at 64

Harry Teinowitz was a radio host from Chicago, who was known for his presence on the show Mac, Jurko and Harry which was also known by it's nickname, The Afternoon Saloon on ESPN 1000. The show aired from 2001 to 2009 and drew big ratings. Harry worked alongside Dan McNeil, and John Jurkovic on the show. The trio's dynamic and banter made the show one of Chicago's most popular sports talk shows.

Teinowitz died at 64 after suffering from longstanding heart and liver problems. News about Teinowitz's death was first announced by Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times on July 16, 2025.

Born on October 15, 1960, in Chicago, Harry began a career in acting early on and appeared in films like Risky Business and Up the Academy. Harry Teinowitz struggled with his health and had received a liver transplant in the past two years. However, despite the setback, Teinowitz continued creating. In 2021, he premiered his comic play When Harry Met Rehab which was loosely based on his own rehab experience, and gave the audience a look into eight weeks in rehab.

Harry wrote the play with his first radio partner, Spike Manton, and called the show, "a comedy that takes sobriety seriously".

More about Harry Teinowitz's career

Harry Teinowitz's first appeareance on Chicago sports radio came on The Score. Here he made football picks on Tom Shaer's morning shows. He also went on to appear on WLUP-FM (97.9) with Jonathan Brandmeier and Danny Bonaduce, and WGN-AM (720). Teinowitz also had his own fantasy football show, Fantasy Football Island on ESPN 1000.

After news of Harry's death was published online, his colleagues and friends took to X to remember him. Cheryl Raye Stout, who worked with Harry at WMVP-AM radio said,

"Harry was a delight to work with at WMVP-AM. That is where Harry and Spike first did a show before ESPN-1000. He had serious health issues the past few years. Will be deeply missed. (red heart emoji)"

Marco Scola, who interned under Harry said,

"My first "big boy" internship was on the Afternoon Saloon with Harry, @carmendefalco, and @Jurko64. First time I met Harry he razzed me about where I'm from pretending he never heard of the town. What a hilarious, loving soul. RIP, Harry. A Chicago radio legend."

Harry Teinowitz struggled with alcohol abuse, and was also arrested in March, 2011 for driving under the influence in Skokie.

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