R.I.P.: Jerry Cesak, San Diego Radio Icon

Jerry Cesak (1951-2026)

Jerry Cesak, the beloved San Diego radio icon known as "Jer" from the legendary "Jeff & Jer Showgram," passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 74, in the arms of his wife, Pam.

The longtime morning show host, whose partnership with Jeff Detrow entertained San Diego listeners for 27 years starting in 1988, retired from daily broadcasting in 2015. 

The duo earned multiple accolades, including "Personality of the Year" from Billboard Magazine and Radio & Records, and were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016.Beyond radio, Cesak was a passionate animal welfare advocate, serving on boards for the Humane Society of the United States and Rancho Coastal Humane Society. 

He co-founded the Unicorn Foundation, authored the award-winning children's book My Personal Panther, and wrote and directed the sold-out play Nickels & Dimes to raise funds for animal causes.

Born in Maryland in 1951, Cesak graduated from the University of Maryland with a theater degree before building a radio career across cities like Washington D.C., Baltimore, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Chicago. 

The Jeff & Jer Showgram was one of San Diego's most iconic and longest-running morning radio programs, entertaining listeners for nearly 30 years with a mix of humor, heartfelt storytelling, listener interaction, and community involvement.

Jeff Detrow and Jerry Cesak (known on-air as "Jeff" and "Jer") partnered in 1982 in Detroit, moved to Chicago, and brought their chemistry to San Diego in 1988, debuting on KBZT (Star 94.9). The show quickly became a ratings powerhouse, often dominating morning drive time.

Supported by producer Tommy Sablan and later co-hosts including Laura Cain, Randy Hoag, and Emily Griffiths, the ensemble delivered family-friendly comedy, celebrity interviews, contests (like the memorable "Whirl till You Hurl" at Belmont Park), and charity events.

The show bounced across stations:

• KBZT (1988)
• KFMB-FM (B100, 1990)
• KKLQ (Q106, 1994)
• back to KFMB-FM (Star 100.7, 1998–2009)

After a 2009 contract dispute ended their run at Star, they produced an internet-only podcast from Cesak's garage before returning to terrestrial radio on KYXY 96.5 in 2011.

Jerry Cesak retired in October 2015 to focus on animal welfare and other projects, renaming the program Jeff and the Showgram. The full show ended abruptly in June 2017 when KYXY canceled it amid industry layoffs.

The duo earned multiple "Personality of the Year" awards from Billboard Magazine and Radio & Records, and were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016 for their pioneering listener-driven format.

Following the show's end, Jeff Detrow transitioned to Christian radio (later heard on K-LOVE stations), while other cast members pursued various media opportunities.