Donn Ansell dies at 69

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Former WAAV radio “Talk of the Town” host Donn Ansell has died at the age of 69.

Ansell grew up in New Jersey and was hired on as a temp at CBS. He went on to work on network shows from “Captain Kangaroo” to “60 Minutes.”

Ansell came to Wilmington as a radio announcer. He is well known from his time on “Talk of the Town” on WAAV. Ansell bought the station and ran it from 1988 until 1997. He was also an actor, director and managing director for the Thalian Association. He was also hosted the public affairs talk show “Byline: Wilmington” on WILM TV.

Longtime radio host Rhonda Bellamy remembers her good friend fondly.

“As many people know, Donn was my mentor, not only in the broadcast realm but in theater; two passions that we both shared,” Bellamy said. “He was like a member of the family to me, and I tell people often that there is no Rhonda Bellamy without a Donn Ansell. He gave me my start in radio and supported me throughout the many things I’ve done in radio and theater, so he will be terribly missed.”

Bellamy visited Ansell just last night in hospice..