News / People
Hal Fishman, Longtime Los Angeles News Anchor, Dies at 75
Hal Fishman, recognized as the longest-running news anchor in television history, died Tuesday morning at the age of 75.
The KTLA-TV Channel 5 newsman had been in broadcasting for close to 50 years in the Los Angeles area. He took his first on air job with KCOP-TV in 1960 and moved to KTLA-TV five years later. He took over the anchor spot for the 10 p.m. newscast in 1975 and held that spot up until his final broadcast on July 30.
Fishman had been diagnosed with colon cancer and the disease had spread to his liver. Last Wednesday he was hospitalized with a serious infection as a result of a fall at his house. He was released from the hospital and died at his home early this morning; he was surrounded by his family.
In 2002 the Associated Press Television-Radio Association issued Fishman their first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. For the past seven years KTLA has called their newsroom “The Hal Fishman Newsroom” in recognition and honor of his dedication to the station and Los Angeles community.
