Former Los Angeles television news anchor Harold Greene has died at the age of 82, according to a social media post by his daughter, Courtney Greene.
Courtney Greene shared the news on Facebook, stating, “Our beloved husband, father, uncle and friend has signed off for the last time.” She added, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Harold passed away last night. My mom and I were by his side, and there was an extraordinary amount of love in the room. We have a feeling he’s already settling into the great newsroom in the sky, no doubt with a few suggestions on how things should be run. He was so very loved, and we know he will be missed by many.”
Greene was a prominent figure in L.A. television for many years. He spent more than 18 years at KABC, where he served as the co-anchor of the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts until his departure in 2000. A year later, he joined KCBS/KCAL and worked alongside his former KABC co-anchor, Ann Martin.
Greene's career began with the team that launched news on KCST (Channel 39) in San Diego. He then moved to KGTV. Before his long tenure at KABC, he worked at KPIX in San Francisco. He returned to KGTV in San Diego before rejoining KABC in 1982, where he co-anchored the 5 p.m. newscast with Jerry Dunphy.
During his time at KABC, Greene hosted programs including “Hollywood Close-Up” and “A.M. Los Angeles.” His career achievements include multiple Golden Mike Awards, L.A. local Emmys, L.A. Press Club awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Greene and Martin were among the KCBS/KCAL staffers let go in 2008 due to station-wide budget cuts. While Greene is often credited as part of the inspiration for Will Ferrell’s “Ron Burgundy” character in “Anchorman,” the filmmakers have never confirmed if it’s true.
