Michael Pritchard joins Marin IJ editorial board as public member

Michael Pritchard, a comedian, television host and public speaker focused on youth mental health, has joined the Independent Journal’s editorial board as its public member.

Pritchard, 74, replaces Marin Child Care Commissioner Jason Lau, who served on the board from May to July.

A San Rafael resident since 1988, Pritchard established Heartland Media and its foundation, focused on producing youth guidance videos and educational television programming. He has spent time in Marin classrooms working with students, as well as working with the county’s probation department and juvenile hall.

Pritchard grew up in Missouri and came to San Francisco in 1978 to work as a probation officer. He began standup comedy in 1980 before winning the SF Comedy Competition, leading to appearances on Johnny Carson’s show and the legendary sitcom “Taxi.” He went on to open for the Grateful Dead, Diana Ross and Pope John Paul II, among others, while sharing the stage with comedy legends Robin Williams, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg. He has dozens of film and television credits.

Pritchard hosted nine seasons of shows for PBS, connecting with children around the country for frank discussions about important world issues. He toured with doctors from Stanford University during an educational tour during the AIDS crisis. Pritchard has provided more than 40 years of service to the Giants Community Fund. He has worked with several police departments, as well as patients at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

He is married to Mary Jo Pritchard. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Reserving a board position for a member of the public is a long-standing tradition at the IJ. Pritchard joins IJ President and Publisher Rob Devincenzi, Managing Editor Jennifer Upshaw Swartz, Opinion Editor Dave Allen and editorial writer Brad Breithaupt. The board discusses local issues reported by the IJ and develops stands reflected in that week’s editorials.