Chicago’s WLS announced this week that Rafer Weigel is joining the station as a weekend sports anchor/reporter.  He replaces Ryan Chiaverini, who was picked to co-host “Windy City Live,” the ABC-affiliate’s “Oprah” replacement (“Live” was previously being called “Morning Rush).

Weigel, 41, is the son of the late Tim Weigel, who spent nearly two decades with WLS as a sports anchor and reporter.

“Rafer Weigel is a talented broadcaster who has worked hard to earn his stripes,” said Jennifer Graves, WLS’s vice president and news director, in making the announcement. “His father is an important part of ABC 7′s sports legacy and we are thrilled that another Weigel will again be working the sports beat at our station.”

Weigel has worked as a reporter for Sacramento’s KOVR as well as San Diego’s KUSI.  Most recently he served as a sports anchor for HLN’s morning show.

Before becoming a TV journalist, Weigel worked as an actor. He appeared in 2001′s “I Am Sam” and co-starred in the 1998 comedy “Free Enterprise,” which featured William Shatner playing himself.  Here’s the “Free Enterprise” trailer:

And, sure, why not? Here’s Weigel in a scene from “Free Enterprise”:

Check out his IMDb page for additional acting credits.