Trivia

His parents divorced when he was one-year-old and he grew up with his stepfather Bill Leonard. He only developed a relationship with his biological father when he reached the age of 14.

Although accepted at Harvard Law School, he instead took a job with the Boston Globe.

His older brother Peter Wallace perished climbing a mountain in Greece in 1961.

Favorite songs: "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z; "Need You Now" by Lady A; "Getting Better" by The Beatles; "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon; "The Firebird" by Igor Stravinsky.

Received a ticket for driving while talking on his cell phone, for an interview [June 15, 2012].

Attended Harvard University at the same time as Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones. First reported news on-air for WHRB, the student radio station at Harvard College.

Longtime friends with Walter Cronkite. First met Cronkite when Chris was eight-years-old. At age 16, Chris was hired as an assistant to Cronkite at the 1964 Republican National Convention.

His third child, a boy named James Wallace (James Christopher Wallace), was born on March 9, 2010. He joins his brother William Wallace and sister Caroline Wallace. Their mother is Lorraine Wallace.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6253 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 18, 2025. Walk of Fame inductees Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno were guest speakers at the ceremony.

He was awarded the Peabody Award, the George Polk Award, and the duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award. He also received three News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

Chris has four children from a previous marriage and his wife Lorraine Wallace has two children from her previous marriage.

His daughter was married to a Mexican artist in Mexico City [August 4, 2011].

Stepson of Mary Yates.

His parents were both from Jewish families (from Austria, Germany, Poland and Russia).

Got his dog, Winston (named for Winston Churchill), in 2002. Had to put him to sleep in December 2012.