By Greg Braxton and Carla Rivera, Times Staff Writers
3:41 PM PDT, August 3, 2007
Veteran KTLA Channel 5 anchor Hal Fishman, who was hospitalized this
week after collapsing at his home, has been diagnosed with colon
cancer, station officials said today.
Veteran KTLA Channel 5 anchor Hal Fishman, who was hospitalized this
Doctors were treating Fishman, 75, for an infection he suffered after
the collapse when they discovered the cancer, which has spread to his
liver, said interim news director Rich Goldner.
Added Goldner: “Hal is awake and thanks everyone for their well wishes
and says he is going to fight this illness. He is looking forward to
coming back when he gets better.”
Fishman, a news veteran of more than 45 years, has anchored the
station’s 10 p.m. newscast since 1975. He is a former political science
professor and renowned aviation enthusiast, holding several records for
speed and altitude.
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 Governor’s Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of
the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an Outstanding
Broadcast Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
In 2000, KTLA named its newsroom the “Hal Fishman Newsroom” in
recognition of his services to the community and to the station, which,
like the Los Angeles Times, is owned by Chicago-based Tribune Co.
His omnipresence on the Los Angeles news scene prompted dozens of well-wishers to send messages to the station’s website.
Many lauded Fishman’s straight-talking perspective, often delivered in the style of a stern father.
“Hal, get well soon and get back to work,” said one missive from Gerry
in El Cajon. “L.A. needs your honesty and perspective. Many of us have
watched KTLA for decades. We have grown up [I won’t say old] with you.
You are a civic treasure.”
carla.rivera@latimes.com
greg.Braxton@latimes.com
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