By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Jerry Cesak, a longtime San Diego radio personality best known as one half of the influential “Jeff & Jer Showgram,” has died. He was 74.
News of Cesak’s death was announced Wednesday evening on social media. A statement posted on Facebook said Cesak died peacefully Jan. 4 in the arms of his wife, Pam.
Cesak, known to listeners as “Jer,” formed one of radio’s most enduring partnerships with Jeff Detrow. Together, they spent three decades on the air, becoming a major force in morning radio.
Born in Maryland, Cesak earned a theater degree from the University of Maryland before beginning what he once described as a “short 30-year diversion” into radio broadcasting. His career began in Washington, D.C., and included stops in Baltimore, Minneapolis and Detroit, where he met Detrow.
After successful runs in Detroit and Chicago, the duo brought their listener-driven morning show to San Diego in 1988. The program quickly became the city’s top-rated radio show and remained on the air for 27 years, cultivating a loyal audience the hosts affectionately referred to as “the eleven.”
During its run, the “Jeff & Jer Showgram” became known not only for its humor but also for large-scale community events. Among them were a post-9/11 “Human American Flag” that drew more than 110,000 participants, the annual “Jingle Ball” holiday concerts benefiting Becky’s House for victims of domestic violence, “Whirl Till You Hurl,” and the “Chargers Human Bolt.”
Cesak received numerous industry honors, including being named “Personality of the Year” by Billboard Magazine and Radio & Records. In 2016, Cesak and Detrow were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. He retired from daily broadcasting in October 2015.
Beyond radio, Cesak was a prominent advocate for animal welfare. He served on the boards of the Humane Society of the United States and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. He and his wife, Pam founded the Unicorn Foundation, which produced the touring multimedia show “Bless the Beasts” to raise awareness about animal cruelty.
Cesak also played a role in promoting Proposition 2, a ballot measure aimed at improving conditions for farm animals. His most recent project was the establishment of Charlotte’s Medical Center at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, a 5,000-square-foot facility providing free or low-cost medical care to shelter animals and rescue groups.
Cesak’s creative work extended to writing and theater. He authored the children’s book “My Personal Panther,” a Mom’s Choice Awards selection, and wrote and directed the play “Nickels & Dimes,” which sold out 16 performances at the Lyceum Theatre to benefit animal causes.
Cesak is survived by his wife and several pets. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
