John Tesh's Journey: From Fame To Fighting Cancer And Finding Purpose

John Tesh may look like the quintessential all-American success story—tall, blonde, and accomplished—but his life hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Rising to fame as the co-host of Entertainment Tonight from 1986 to 1996, he later transitioned into a successful music career, earning four gold records and two Grammy nominations. However, behind the scenes, John battled personal struggles that tested his resilience: an abusive father, homelessness, and a harrowing fight against a rare form of prostate cancer. In a candid conversation with Closer Weekly, the 67-year-old opens up about his emotional journey, revealing moments of vulnerability, including asking his wife, actress Connie Sellecca, “Will you please kill me?”

But it was Connie, his partner of nearly 28 years, who became his rock. Together, they fought tirelessly, and five years after his diagnosis, John is cancer-free. He shares his inspiring story in his new memoir, Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith. "It was a combination of science, surgery, and my deep connection with God that helped me beat this disease," John reflects. His journey isn’t just about survival—it’s about finding purpose and meaning in life’s toughest moments.

Read on for Closer Weekly’s exclusive interview with John Tesh, where he dives deep into his experiences, relationships, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

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What’s Keeping You Going, John?

Let me tell you, I’m not your average 67-year-old. I wake up at 4:30 a.m. every single day to hit the gym for an hour and a half. I’m usually the oldest guy there, but I’m also one of the most consistent. People often ask me how I stay motivated, and the truth is, I learned early in life to fall in love with the process—not the outcome. My high school band teacher in Garden City, New York, Dr. Wagner, taught me this lesson: if you stick to the routine, amazing things will happen. Of course, when I was battling cancer, it wasn’t just about my routine anymore. I needed the love and support of my family—especially Connie, my stepson Gib, and my daughter Prima—to keep pushing forward.

Being an Early Bird: A Key to Success?

I’ve always been an early riser. That habit started way back in my younger days when I was working as a news reporter in Nashville at 21 and later as a correspondent for CBS News in New York City at 23. The discipline I developed then has stayed with me. But let’s be honest, even the best routines can falter when you’re facing something as daunting as cancer. During that time, I realized that while my daily grind kept me strong, it was the people around me who gave me the strength to keep fighting.

Looking Back: Memories from Entertainment Tonight

Staying Connected with Old Friends

Even though I left Entertainment Tonight over two decades ago, I’ve managed to stay in touch with some of the people I worked with. Mary Hart, Robb Weller, Bob Goen, and Mark Steines—we all meet up for lunch occasionally. It’s always great to catch up and reminisce about the old days. Those years were unforgettable, and I’m grateful for the friendships I formed there.

Memorable Interviews and Career Choices

I didn’t do as many interviews as you might think during my time on ET. My contract allowed me to leave at 1 p.m. so I could focus on my music career and work on Howie Mandel’s cartoon show, Bobby’s World. But the interviews I did conduct were some of the most memorable of my life. Sitting down with legends like Elton John, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Henry Mancini, and Eric Clapton was incredible. Eric, in particular, stood out because of his kindness and generosity during our conversation. Those moments reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place.

Why Did You Decide to Leave ET?

When I joined Entertainment Tonight, I was already 35 years old and had been working in music and television for 15 years. Before ET, I’d worked in Raleigh, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; and even spent six years in Europe covering sports for CBS. So when I got the offer to move to Hollywood and work only four hours a day while pursuing my music career, it seemed like a dream come true. Then, in 1995, after my Red Rocks concert debut, everything changed. My album sales skyrocketed from 150 per month to 50,000, and I knew it was time to focus solely on my music. That decision turned out to be one of the best I ever made.

Who Are the People Behind the Scenes?

Understanding Your Fan Base

Our live audiences are predominantly women over 45 who bring their husbands or boyfriends along for the ride. It’s a fun dynamic, and honestly, it keeps things interesting. Music has always been about connection, and seeing the joy on people’s faces during our concerts is truly rewarding.

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Connie Sellecca: A Love Story Worth Telling

Connie and I met in the gym back in 1991. She was the only other person there that day, and she recognized me right away. We exchanged numbers, but here’s the embarrassing part—I chickened out and never showed up for our first date. I was intimidated by her beauty and success, thinking, “Who am I to date a Hollywood star?” Thankfully, I realized my mistake a week later and practically bombarded her phone until she gave me a second chance. The rest, as they say, is history. We’ve been married for 28 years, and every day feels like a blessing.

A Life of Discipline and Faith

Choosing to Wait Until Marriage

One of the most significant decisions Connie and I made was to wait until marriage before becoming intimate. Believe it or not, that wasn’t my idea—it was hers. At first, I was skeptical, but she convinced me that taking things slow would strengthen our relationship. Looking back, I have to admit she was absolutely right. In fact, our son Gib and his wife followed the same path, and they’ve been happily married for 14 years. So yeah, I’ll take credit for that one!

Family Joys and Challenges

Being a grandpa is one of the greatest joys of my life. I have three amazing grandchildren—two girls and a boy—who are 8, 6, and 3 years old. Spending time with them reminds me of the importance of family and legacy. Gib, my stepson, is an actor and performer who often joins us on stage, while Prima, my daughter, runs a Pure Barre franchise. They both inspire me daily.

A Rocky Start: Overcoming a Difficult Childhood

My early years were far from easy. My father, a retired naval officer, returned from World War II with PTSD and struggled with alcoholism. Our household was chaotic, and tensions between my parents and my two older sisters often escalated into physical altercations. Things finally started to improve when I entered junior high and both of my parents got sober. Unfortunately, my dream of studying communications at North Carolina State University didn’t sit well with them. When I tried to switch majors, they kicked me out of the house, and I ended up living in a pup tent in a North Carolina park for five months, working odd jobs to make ends meet. It wasn’t until I convinced a local radio station to give me a chance that my life began to turn around.

The Cancer Battle That Changed Everything

In 2015, I faced the fight of my life. After two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and a treatment that drained all the testosterone from my body, the cancer kept coming back. Those were some of the darkest days of my life. Night sweats, loss of appetite, and sleepless nights became my reality. That’s when Connie and I turned to the Bible for guidance, discovering powerful Scriptures about healing. Slowly but surely, I began to recover. Two years ago, we decided that enough was enough—I wasn’t going through any more treatments. Today, all the medical markers indicate that I’m cancer-free. It’s a miracle I’ll never take for granted.

A Legacy of Hope and Healing

Cancer runs in my family. My dad passed away from it when I was 30, and both of my sisters and my mother succumbed to the disease as well. For years, I lived in fear of “catching cancer,” and I believe that fear played a role in manifesting the disease in my own body. Now, my mission is to help others who are struggling. Connie and I visit hospitals, lay hands on the sick, and share our story of hope and healing. It’s become my life’s purpose, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Reporting by Diana Cooper