Hal Fishman
Posted on 08/03/2007 9:08:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Longtime KTLA Channel 5 anchor Hal Fishman has been diagnosed with colon cancer, which has spread to his liver, the station said Friday.
Fishman was hospitalized after collapsing at his home on Wednesday, the station announced during its Thursday 10 p.m. newscast.
Doctors discovered the cancer while treating him for an infection, said Rich Goldner, KTLA's interim news director.
"Hal is awake and thanks everyone for their well wishes, and says he's going to fight this illness," Goldner said. "He is looking forward to coming back when he gets better."
Fishman has anchored the station's 10 p.m. newscast since 1975. He joined KTLA in 1965 and reported on the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the Northridge earthquake and the Rodney King beating.
His honors include a Gov.'s Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, an Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, and a lifetime achievement award from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association.
Hal Fishman
http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/newsstaff/ktla-news-bio-fishman,0,5730830.story?coll=ktla-newsstaff-1
Hal Fishman, a 45-year news veteran, first joined KTLA/CW in 1965, and has anchored the station’s # 1-rated “KTLA Prime News” continuously since 1975, bringing the show to prime time dominance and making it competitive with network affiliate late newscasts. As managing editor of “KTLA Prime News,” Hal’s strong connection with Southern Californians, along with his journalistic integrity, have made the news broadcast a destination for viewers looking for breaking news and thorough coverage of the latest stories and issues impacting the region.
A former political science professor, author and holder of 12 official world aviation records for speed and altitude, Fishman began his broadcast career in 1960 and joined KTLA the year of the Watts riots which he covered in the field. His efforts contributed to KTLA’s winning an Emmy and Peabody Award for news coverage of the event.
Hal has informed viewers of the major and significant news stories that have impacted the region including the Watts riots, the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the visit of Pope John Paul II, the Sylmar and Northridge earthquakes and helped to break the Rodney King beating story, among many others.
Hal is a multi-award winning journalist whose honors include 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. In 2002, the Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA) presented Hal with its first Lifetime Achievement Award and also named Hal “Best News Anchor” for the third consecutive year. In 2005, Hal received an APTRA Award for “Best Newswriting.” In addition, the Los Angeles Press Club honored Hal and his “KTLA Prime News” colleagues with an award for Best Regularly Scheduled Daily News Program for their coverage of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The Southern California Radio and Television News Association honored Hal for Best News Commentary in 2004 and 2005. Hal received an Emmy Award for Best Light News Story-Single Report and a Golden Mike for Best Original News Commentary.
In the summer of 2000, on the occasion of his 40th anniversary in television news broadcasting, KTLA named its newsroom “The Hal Fishman Newsroom” in recognition of his devoted service to the station and community. Those in attendance included co-workers and former co-workers, city, county and state officials, as well as reporters and anchors from stations across Los Angeles who put competition aside to honor Hal’s journalistic excellence.
One of the major reasons for KTLA/CW’s success with “Prime News” is the fact that Fishman has earned the loyalty and respect of L. A. audiences. Audience awareness and loyalty come only after years of being in the market.
A fixture in the news biz! Prayers up for Hal.
That’s considered Stage IV colon cancer. Tony Snow has the same. I lost my dad to colon cancer. Like Hal, his wasn’t caught until it had spread to his liver, too. The good news is: Mr. Fishman will have more options for treatment today than ever before in fighting this disease, and many more treatments are developing. Hopefully, he will beat it and live for many years to come.
He loved also loved peppers, meatball sandwiches, and his family. Oh, and the Detroit Tigers of course.
I still miss him, even though it's been 27 years now.
Thoughts and prayers to Hal from a former SoCal.
Many Prayers to Hal and to his close friends and family.
Sad news. We’ve wathced him for decades. Mrs. Lurkin in particular is a fan of his.
Thanks for the post about your father, too. Sounds like your dad and mine were two of a kind. I just lost mine in April, but I know I’ll always miss him, too. The world is never the same without them. Thank you again.
He dies.
Fishman anchored the station's 10 p.m. newscast since 1975. He joined KTLA in 1965 and reported on the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the Northridge earthquake and the Rodney King beating.
His honors include a Gov.'s Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, an Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, and a lifetime achievement award from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association.
http://www.sfgate.com
Thanks for the report. I’ll have the title updated.
Condolences to the family and all his freinds and fans.
He had a good time doing what he loved to do.
We should all be so lucky.
RIP Hal
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