Kirk joined the 9NEWS team as Entertainment Reporter in March 2001. He occasionally fills in reporting the news as an Anchor. Kirk can usually be seen weekdays on 4 o'clock at 9NEWS along with Kim Christiansen and Mark Koebrich. Kirk acknowledges: “I originally tried out for an opening as a weatherman, but ended up admitting during the interview that I wasn’t their man for the job. They called me back later, and said they appreciated my honesty, and a new job was created for me.” Kirk went on to say: “There are only about 10 Entertainment Reporters in the country today, and I feel fortunate to be one of them.”
Kirk, who grew up in a small town, says his interest in entertainment started at an early age when he acted, sang and danced while performing in high school. Kirk's professional career started in radio in Jackson, Michigan. He has held various positions in broadcasting, working in Los Angeles, CA, Tampa, FL, Detroit & Lansing, MI, and Chico, CA.
Kirk worked and appeared on a number of television shows such as “Third Watch” and “Ed,” as well as on several popular soaps like “General Hospital” and “Days of our Lives”. In addition, Montgomery proudly admits to being Pauly Shore's body double in the “really bad horror movie” "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" – and to playing a cameo in the movie "Suburban! - A Little Comedy About Life's Big Decisions".
When it comes to "giving back" to our community, Montgomery likes working with and volunteering for the various Channel 9 non-profit programs and drives like “Stuff for Students”, “9 Cares, Colorado Shares”, and the “9 Health Fair”. Kirk also acts as the Co-Emcee for the “Power of Pink Gala” (this year’s event is on September 29th) which supports the “Pink Ribbon Foundation”, and for the first time this year, he will Emcee the “Boulder County Aids Project Annual Gala Dinner & Silent Auction” (on September 16fh). In addition, Kirk does a feature story each year on PHAMLy (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League).
Kirk surely is having the time of his life in the heart of downtown Denver and is enjoying everything a growing, bustling city has to offer. He loves to report all of the exciting and interesting ‘goings on” as he discovers them in Colorado. Also bringing joy to Kirk’s life is the great rapport he has with his “Number One at 4 p.m.” News Team. Kirk happily says: “Kim Christiansen, Mark Koebrich and I have great chemistry. We are like brothers and sisters and are real comfortable with each other, and I think it comes across on TV. It’s amazing, I get to sit next to two people I admire and adore – and have fun every day.”
As his viewers and fans would agree, the cherub-cheeked Montgomery is competent, endearing and lovable. In many ways, Kirk Montgomery is Colorado’s very own “star performer.”
Kirk, I must start by asking you some entertainment questions. What were your favorite TV shows when you were a kid? The “Partridge Family” and the “Brady Bunch”. I also was kind of a Sci Fi freak and liked shows like “Lost in Space”, “Star Trek”, and the “Six Million Dollar Man”.
What are some of the recent TV shows you like to watch? I love “Lost” – and I love watching “Jericho” which was canceled – but brought back by popular demand.
What are your all-time favorite movies? "Wizard of Oz", Hitchcock’s "The Birds", and the original" Poseidon Adventure" with Shelley Winters and Ernest Borgnine.
Who is your favorite actress? Modern Day: Susan Sarandon; Going back a while: Doris Day was fun. Loved those old movies.
Who is your favorite actor? Recent: John Malkovich, Oldie: Cary Grant.
What is the best concert you’ve ever attended? As a teenager, it was a “Styx” concert. Years later, I got to interview the lead singer, Dennis DeYoung.
If there were a movie made about your life, who should play you? Ellen DeGeneres.
What three restaurants are your favorites that you can recommend to others? For Breakfast: Sam’s #3; for Lunch: Pearl Street Grille; for Dinner: Panzano’s
What are some of your hobbies outside of the newsroom? I enjoy singing, reading, music, and collecting 60s lunch-boxes from eBay. Also, I try to help promote bringing in more film work to the Denver area whenever I can.
What do you attribute the success of your 4 p.m. news period to? Mostly our Producer, Linda Kotsaftis. She has allowed us to just breathe, and our hour-long slot gives us more freedom to lighten things up. It’s so comfortable, that sometimes Linda has to reel us in and remind us we are on TV.
You’ve interviewed quite a few people yourself, which person was your favorite? I’d have to say Cathy Rigby when she came to Denver to star in Peter Pan. She was very classy, and I had some fun with her. A few weeks later she sent me the nicest thank you note, and not everyone does that. Joan Collins was a lot of fun too and had a wicked sense of humor.
Which interview made you the most nervous? One of my first ones. It was with Luciano Pavarotti. He was very particular, and I was very intimidated.
When did you know you might have a knack for interviewing people? When I was 6 years old, I got a (very large) Panasonic tape recorder, and I ran around interviewing and taping everyone.
What is your greatest accomplishment? Surviving the 80’s.
What’s the most interesting thing about you? My complexities.
What does it take to be your friend? Patience.
What does the future hold for Kirk Montgomery? I’m a free spirit. Life has its twists and turns, and I’ll go where that takes me.
How do you want to be remembered? He made us laugh, he made us cry, he drove us nuts; and he taught us how to fly!
