Fields, Jeff

Jeff Fields was born in Uvalda, Ga., in 1938. His parents moved from Elberton, Ga., to LaGrange, N.C. At age 14, Fields ran away from home. He worked his way through high school and college, supporting himself as an ironworker. His college career spanned eight years, attending classes one year, then working the next few. He first attended South Georgia College, then the University of Georgia. After a two-year hiatus, he finished his final two years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1964. Initially, Fields studied drama, but soon turned to a major in television. In his senior year, however, Fields studied with novelist Betty Smith and became interested in writing.

After graduation, Fields worked for a year at a radio station in Anniston, Ala., after which he moved to Greenville, S.C., where he worked in radio and television for four years. Fields then took a position as producer-host for television station WJXT-TV, in Jacksonville, Fla., hosting the programs 30 Below, Cracker Barrel, and Jeff and Pat and Sunday Night .

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