When you think of John Tesh, the first thing that comes to mind is his iconic presence on Entertainment Tonight from 1986 to 1996. Standing tall at 6-foot-6, blonde, and blue-eyed, he became a household name. But what you might not know is the personal battles he faced behind the scenes: an abusive father, homelessness, and a life-threatening battle with a rare form of prostate cancer. In a candid conversation with Closer Weekly, John, now 67, opens up about his emotional struggles and how his wife, actress Connie Sellecca, was the rock that kept him going. Five years after his diagnosis, he’s cancer-free and shares his story in his new memoir, Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from perseverance, faith, and the support of loved ones.

Let’s dive into Closer Weekly's exclusive interview with John to hear more about his incredible journey.

How’s Life Treating You These Days, John?

Man, I’ve got to tell you, I’m livin’ life to the fullest. At 67, I’m still hitting the gym at 4:30 a.m. every single day. Yeah, you heard that right—4:30 in the morning! I’m the oldest guy there, but I’m determined to stay strong. It’s not just about the physical; it’s about staying mentally sharp and focused. That’s what keeps me going, even after everything I’ve been through.

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What Keeps You So Motivated?

Here’s the thing: I learned a valuable lesson from my school band teacher, Dr. Wagner, back in Garden City, New York. He taught me to fall in love with the process, not the outcome. Sure, trophies and number-one records are great, but they’re not what truly matters. It’s the discipline of showing up every day, putting in the work, and trusting that the results will come. That’s what got me through some of the toughest times, especially when I was battling cancer. Of course, I couldn’t have done it alone. My wife, Connie, my stepson Gib, and my daughter Prima were my lifeline. They kept me grounded and gave me the strength to keep fighting.

Staying Connected: What’s Your Relationship Like with Mary Hart?

You know, Mary and I stayed in touch over the years. In fact, I’ve kept in contact with all the ET anchors who came before and after me—Robb Weller, Bob Goen, and Mark Steines. We still catch up over lunch every now and then. It’s nice to reminisce about the old days and talk about where life has taken us since then. Those were some incredible years, and I’ll always cherish the memories.

Any Memorable Interviews from Your Time on ET?

Oh, absolutely! While I didn’t do as many interviews as some of my co-hosts—my contract allowed me to leave at 1 p.m. to focus on music—I did get to sit down with some truly legendary musicians. Elton John, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Henry Mancini, and Eric Clapton all come to mind. Eric Clapton, in particular, was such a gentleman. He was so kind and generous during our interview—it’s one of my all-time favorites.

Why Did You Decide to Leave ET?

Well, here’s the deal: ET wasn’t my first rodeo. By the time I joined the show at 35, I’d already had a successful career in music and TV for 15 years. I started out in Raleigh, North Carolina, then moved to Orlando, Florida, and eventually became a news reporter in Nashville at just 21 years old. At 23, I was a correspondent for CBS News in New York City, making me the youngest reporter on the team. After that, I spent six years working for CBS network sports in Europe. So when ET came calling, it was like a dream opportunity. I could pursue my music career and only work four hours a day. When my Red Rocks concert debut in 1995 skyrocketed my music sales from 150 albums a month to 50,000, I knew it was time to focus on my passion for music.

Who Makes Up Your Fan Base Today?

Let me paint you a picture: Our live audiences are typically women over 45 who bring along their husbands or boyfriends. [Laughs] It’s a fun dynamic, and I love connecting with them. Music has this incredible power to bring people together, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

What’s the Story Behind You and Connie?

Connie and I met in the gym back in 1991. She was the only other person there, and when she recognized me, she said, “John Tesh? Is that you?” Naturally, I asked her out. But here’s where it gets interesting—I chickened out and never showed up! I was so intimidated by her beauty and success that I talked myself out of it. “Who am I to date a Hollywood star?” I thought. Luckily, a week later, I realized I’d made a huge mistake. I flooded her phone with messages, and eventually, I got her on a radio show for an interview. Long story short, she gave me a second chance, and the rest is history. We’ve been married for 28 years, and we’re still going strong.

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Building a Life Together

One thing people might not know about us is that Connie and I decided not to have sex before our wedding. It wasn’t my idea—I’ll admit that—but she believed it was important to take things slow, especially since we’d both been married before. Turns out, it was one of the best decisions we ever made. Gib, Connie’s son from a previous marriage, and his wife have been a huge part of our lives. They’ve been married for 14 years and followed a similar path. As for me? I’ll take credit for that one!

The Road to Healing: John’s Battle with Cancer

Life hasn’t always been easy for me. Growing up, my dad was a retired naval officer who struggled with PTSD and alcohol after returning from World War II. There were some tough times at home, including physical abuse. Things finally started to turn around when I entered junior high, and both my parents got sober. But even then, I faced challenges. When I tried to change my major from textile chemistry to communications at North Carolina State University, my parents weren’t supportive. I ended up forging my professor’s signature to make the switch, which got me suspended. My dad kicked me out, and I found myself living in a pup tent in a North Carolina park for five months, working construction and pumping gas to make ends meet. It wasn’t until I landed a gig at a local radio station that things began to change.

A Battle Fought and Won

In 2015, I faced one of the biggest challenges of my life: prostate cancer. I underwent two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and a drug that depleted all the testosterone in my body. I went through menopause, night sweats, and couldn’t eat or sleep. Despite all that, the cancer kept coming back. During this time, Connie and I turned to the Bible for guidance and discovered powerful Scriptures related to healing. Slowly but surely, I began to get better. When doctors suggested irradiating my pelvis with 62 treatments, we knew it was time to stop. That was two years ago, and today, all the markers indicate that I’m cancer-free. It’s a miracle I’ll never take for granted.

Reporting by Diana Cooper