Harold Fishman[ Hal Fishman, Newsman / UCLA Spotlight] He was also a record-holding aviator. "The Simpsons" cartoon television anchorman Kent Brockman was partially inspired by Hal Fishman.[Groening, Matt; Jean, Al (2003). Commentary for "Homer Defined", in The Simpsons: The Complete Third Season DVD. 20th Century Fox.]
Early life and education
A Brooklyn, New York, native, Fishman received a bachelor's degree from Cornell University where he worked at the campus radio station. He also received a master's degree in political science from UCLA in 1956. Planning for a career in academia, he served as an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Los Angeles for two years.
Career
Eventually, Los Angeles independent television station
KCOP approached Fishman to teach an on-air course, and later, the station invited him to anchor his own segment. Fishman had been on the air continuously since June 20, 1960, moving from KCOP to
KTLA in 1965. That year, he received significant exposure as a field reporter for KTLA when he helped cover the
Watts Riots live from the Los Angeles Police Department command center. Fishman also worked at
KTTV and KHJ-TV (now
KCAL-TV) during the early 1970s, returning to KTLA on January 8, 1975, to anchor their evening new broadcast
NewsWatch, later renamed
News at Ten.
Notable events covered
As a news anchor, Fishman covered numerous events in Los Angeles and the world, ranging from the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, to the Sylmar and Northridge earthquakes, to Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to southern California.
He, along with KTLA, was credited for being the first to air footage of the police beating of
Rodney King in 1991, an event that sparked riots a year later when the officers were acquitted. In 2000, KTLA dedicated its newsroom in Fishman's honor, commemorating his 40 years in television and his years of service and commitment to the region.
[ Hal Fishman 1931-2007 | Hal's Life And Career ]
Honors
Fishman won myriad awards, including the Associated Press Television-Radio Association's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. He received a "star" on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame," at 1560 Vine Street and KTLA named its television news studio after Fishman. He also authored two novels,
Flight 902 Is Down (co-authored with aviation writer Barry J. Schiff) and
The Vatican Target. Fishman was also an accomplished pilot and set 13 records for speed and altitude.
In 1969, he was awarded the Louis Blériot medal by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
Death
Hal Fishman's last broadcast was on July 30, 2007, eight days before his death.
[ KTLA The CW | Where Los Angeles Lives ] On July 31, 2007, the night before Fishman became ill and after his last broadcast, KTLA celebrated his 47 years in television with a special gala at the Autry National Museum in
Los Angeles. The event was emceed by
Morning Show anchor
Michaela Pereira and attended by such dignitaries as Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles County sheriff
Lee Baca. During the gala, Fishman spoke to the audience about his time in television. He appeared somewhat fatigued but little would be known about his condition until the day after.
[ Celebrating Hal Fishman | KTLA The CW | Celebrating 60 Years ]
Fishman died August 7, 2007, at home, 18 days before he would have turned 76, following recent treatment for a liver infection, which had detected cancer in his liver and colon. That morning, the station interrupted its regular news schedule and dedicated much of the Morning Show and Prime News broadcasts to Fishman. The reporters on Prime News did not break for commercials that evening. His body was soon cremated.
Filmography
Fishman played a television news anchor or reporter in numerous films during his career:
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Black Sunday (1977) - Reporter
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When Hell was in Session (1979) - 1st Newscaster
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Maximum Overdrive (1986) - Anchorman Voice (voice, uncredited)
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Wisdom (1987) - Network Anchorman
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Forrest Gump (1994)
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Jimmy Hollywood (1994) - Anchorperson
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Joe Dirt (2001) - Himself
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Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001) - Himself
-
National Security (2003) - Himself
-
Malibu's Most Wanted (2003) - Himself
-
One Six Right (2005) - Himself
-
Spider-Man 3 (2007) - Himself (final film role)
Sources/Links
