Mario Machado, the first Chinese-American newscaster to appear on TV, has died. Machado’s daughter Michelle confirms the 78-year-old passed away Saturday at a West Hills, California convalescent facility from complications of pneumonia. Machado also suffered from Parkinson’s disease. No other details on his death were immediately available.
Machado got his start on TV in 1967 with Los Angeles’ KHJ-TV. He became a color commentator at KNXT the following year, and in 1970 he became a regular on CBS’ The Big News. The Big News was the most popular news show in LA at the time. Machado’s work earned him 10 Emmy nominations and 8 wins.
Television was not the only place Machado appeared as a reporter. He portrayed a newscaster on the big screen, most notably in the three RoboCop films as well as Rocky III, Scarface and St. Elmo’s Fire. Machado also appeared as himself in Blue Thunder, Without Warning and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn.
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