KTLA News Anchor Hal Fishman Dies at 75

Just last Friday it was announced that Hal Fishman, anchor of KTLA News in Los Angeles for over 30 years, was suffering from an infection. While hospitalized for the infection he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Sadly, Hal died this morning, at age 75.

Hal Fishman had been with KTLA since 1960, anchoring the evening news since 1975. He was a graduate of Cornell, with a Master's degree from UCLA. He was an assistant professor of political science at Cal State L.A. when he first came to KTLA.

One of the things I liked about him was that he was an early version of "fair and balanced" reporting. He reported the news without melodrama or partisanship.

He was also an experienced pilot whose knowledge of aviation-related issues added a great deal to his coverage of certain stories. His coverage of wildfires, for example, was particularly interesting because of his insight into aerial fire fighting. KTLA reported that Fishman held a dozen world aviation records for speed and altitude.

More from L.A. Observed and Holy Coast.

Just one week ago Hal was honored at a gala at the Autry Center. What a blessing that that event took place when it did. KTLA has posted a tribute to Hal on their site.

He will be missed.

Update: More here at L.A. Observed.

Lovely that one of the tributes to Hal on KTLA tonight was by one of my favorites, Julie Andrews.

An excellent L.A. Times column: "With the death of Hal Fishman, and before him newscaster Jerry Dunphy and Hall of Fame basketball broadcaster Chick Hearn, the generation of radio and TV personalities that helped knit together sprawling postwar Southern California is drawing ever to a close... So a tip of the cap to those, such as Dodgers' legend Vin Scully, who still grace us with talents that will never be replicated, and a moment of thanks to a KTLA anchor who made a region of 17 million people feel like a small town."