Michael Collins, beloved Detroit native, broadcaster, and Emmy-winning television storyteller, passed away on April 4th, 2025. His remarkable career t
Michael Collins, beloved Detroit native, broadcaster, and Emmy-winning television storyteller, passed away on April 4th, 2025. His remarkable career took him from college radio studios to the spotlight of major-market TV, always with the same signature charm—equal parts humor, humanity, and hometown heart.
Born and raised in Detroit, Mike began his broadcasting journey at Ferris State University, spinning records as a student DJ. His early radio career took off with on-air gigs at WTRU in Muskegon, WLAV in Grand Rapids, KIMN in Denver, WHK, WIXY and WMMS in Cleveland and eventually WRIF-FM, one of Detroit’s most iconic rock stations. Whether introducing new tracks or cracking jokes between sets, Mike’s voice was unmistakable—warm, witty, and instantly familiar.
As a sideline, he hosted an interview/music special on Bob Seger for the ABC Contemporary Radio Network which was heard on over 1,000 ABC affiliates.
But it was in television where Michael Collins’ unique storytelling truly flourished.
He became a feature reporter and on-air host for WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, and later returned to his roots as a feature reporter at WJBK-TV in Detroit. There, his work earned him numerous Emmy Awards for pieces that blended genuine curiosity with a sharp sense of humor. Whether interviewing celebrities or celebrating everyday people, Mike had an uncanny ability to make anyone feel like the most interesting person in the room.
Michael Collins WLWT-TV Cincinnati
In the late 1990s, Collins became part of a national promotional campaign to launch Barbara Walters’ daytime talk show, The View—traveling to malls across America with stars like Star Jones, Joy Behar, and Barbara Walters herself, helping bring the program directly to audiences with the same warmth and enthusiasm that defined his career.
Mike’s talents later extended into public relations, where he served in the communications department at Ford Motor Company, continuing to use storytelling as a tool for connection and communication.
He also played a key role in preserving the rich legacy of local media, helping to produce the PBS documentary The History of Detroit Television—a love letter to the city’s influential broadcast history and a tribute to the personalities who shaped it.
A Storyteller to the End
Michael Collins was more than a reporter or DJ—he was a storyteller, a connector, and a trusted companion to his audience. He had a gift for elevating both the extraordinary and the everyday, often with a knowing smile and a quick, gentle laugh.
He leaves behind not just a body of work that won awards, but a reputation that won hearts.
To those who knew him, worked with him, or welcomed his voice into their homes—Michael Collins will be remembered not only for what he said, but how he made us feel: entertained, understood, and always in on the joke.
Some of Michael Collins Award Winning Videos:
Michael Collins YouTube Channel link.
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