Former KABC and KCBS News Anchor Harold Greene Dies at 82 — SkimNews
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- Harold Greene died at 82, with his daughter Courtney Greene confirming the news in a Facebook post stating he was surrounded by family and love at the time of his passing
- Harold Greene spent over 18 years at KABC, co-anchoring the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts before departing in 2000 and later rejoining Ann Martin at KCBS/KCAL
- Harold Greene returned to KCBS/KCAL in 2001 but was laid off in 2008 due to station-wide budget cuts that affected multiple staff members
- Harold Greene launched his career in San Diego at KCST and later worked at KGTV before moving to KPIX in San Francisco and eventually KABC
- Harold Greene hosted programs including 'Hollywood Close-Up' and 'A.M. Los Angeles' and earned multiple Golden Mike Awards, local Emmys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Harold Greene is often cited as an inspiration for Will Ferrell’s 'Ron Burgundy' character in 'Anchorman,' though filmmakers have never confirmed the connection
Why it matters: Greene’s death marks the end of a defining era in Southern California broadcast journalism, where his presence across four decades shaped local news delivery and public trust. His accolades and long tenure reflect a career that elevated regional media, and his unexpected cultural influence—via the unconfirmed 'Ron Burgundy' link—underscores how his on-air persona transcended news into pop memory.
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