Longtime Southern California News Anchor Hal Fishman Dies

Hal Fishman 1931-2007

Hal Fishman Courtesy: KTLA

(LOS ANGELES, Ca.) - The longest-running anchor in television history, Hal Fishman, passed away in Los Angeles after 47 years on the air as an evening news anchor. He has been a presence in Los Angeles broadcasting for nearly five decades.

KTLA writes, "That many in the city grew up knowing and trusting, has died at the age of 75. Hal's strong connection with Southern Californians, along with his journalistic integrity, made him one of the brightest stars in KTLA's 60-year history."

Hal joined KTLA in 1965, the year of the Watts riots. His coverage of that event brought the station both an Emmy and a Peabody Award.

Hal anchored continuously since 1975, making him the longest-running anchor in television history.

Hal has been the bearer of good news and bad news to the television viewers of Los Angeles. Historic events he covered include the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the visit of Pope John Paul II, and the Sylmar and Northridge earthquakes. Hal was one of the reporters who broke the Rodney King beating story, among so many others.

Honors for this multi-award winning journalist included the prestigious Governors Award from the Los Angeles Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1987 and the Outstanding Broadcast Journalism award, one of journalism's highest honors, from the Society of Professional Journalists. On April 20, 1992, Hal Fishman received his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2002, the Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA) presented Hal with its

Hal earned The Associated Press's first Lifetime Achievement Award. They named him "Best News Anchor" for the third consecutive year. In 2005, APTRA honored Hal with a "Best Newswriting" award for his nightly commentaries.

Hal was also a pilot and the holder of 12 official world aviation records for speed and altitude.

He is survived by his wife, Nolie, and his son David. The citizens of Los Angeles will always hold Hal very dearly in their hearts, and he will be deeply missed.

Special thanks to KTLA for information in this report.