Larry McCormick (TV)

Larry McCormick
Born Lawrence William McCormick
(1933-02-03)February 3, 1933
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Died August 27, 2004(2004-08-27) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Occupation Television news reporter, news anchor, actor, voice actor
Years active 1964–2003
Employer Tribune Broadcasting/KTLA
Known for Longtime anchorman for KTLA-TV, Los Angeles

Lawrence William "Larry" McCormick (February 3, 1933 – August 27, 2004) was an American television actor, reporter and news anchor, most notably working for Los Angeles television station KTLA-TV.[1]

Biography

McCormick was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Pastor L.W. McCormick and Laura McCormick(Pianist and Vocalist). He began his broadcasting career in the late 1950s as a disc jockey, upon graduating from University of Kansas City. He first came to Los Angeles in 1958, working at then-R&B radio station KGFJ. He later moved across town to popular Top-40 music outlet KFWB-AM from 1964-1968 before they instituted an all-news format in the spring of 1968.[2]

McCormick became one of the first Black newscasters in the country, leaving his morning drive slot as disc jockey on radio KGFJ Los Angeles, transitioning to KCOP-TV winter of 1969. Shortly thereafter, he moved across town to KTLA in May 1971, and worked there until his death in 2004.

At KTLA, he served as a features reporter (such as business and health & fitness) on the station's 10 pm weeknight newscasts, while serving as lead anchor on its weekend editions, and co-hosting Making It: Minority Success Stories, a program which profiled successful minority business people.[2][3]

On August 27, 2004, McCormick died of a cancer-related illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, at the age of 71.[4]

Community involvement

McCormick was known to be very involved in the Los Angeles community, participating in various charities and events, including hosting local editions of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, back when KTLA carried the telethon locally (the telethon has aired on KCAL-TV since 1996). Also, for a twelve-year span (1988–2000), he hosted the Los Angeles Unified School District Academic Decathlon, including two national academic decathlons.[2]

Film and television acting career

In addition to being a news reporter, McCormick appeared in numerous films and television series over the years, often playing himself as a reporter, but also portrayed other kinds of roles.

As an actor, McCormick usually appeared in guest spots on TV shows, mostly on TV dramas and sitcoms, such as That Girl; Barnaby Jones; The Jeffersons (in a memorable 1979 episode as Florence's strict and ultra-conservative born-again Christian beau); Murder, She Wrote; Beverly Hills, 90210; and Angel (1999). He also made appearances in such movies as The Punisher (1989) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), which was his final film appearance. McCormick also did voice over work in such Saturday morning cartoon series as Scooby-Doo and Dynomutt.

Awards and honors

In 1994, McCormick was honored with the Governor's Award, a high, prestigious honor given annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In June 2001, KTLA honored McCormick by renaming one of its soundstages at Tribune Studios in his name.[5][6]

Filmography

Year Title Role
1967 A Guide for the Married Man
1969 The Love God?
1976 Gus
1987 Throw Momma from the Train Announcer
1989 The Punisher
1991 The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear TV Reporter
2001 A Song for Honest Abe
2003 S.W.A.T.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines KTLA Anchorman

Television work (as actor)

References

  1. ↑ Larry McCormick (I)
  2. 1 2 3 KTLA The CW | Celebrating 60 Years
  3. ↑ Larry McCormick Photos - Larry McCormick News - Larry McCormick Information
  4. ↑ Larry Mccormick Biography (1933(?)-)
  5. ↑ KTLA Historical Timeline | About the Station | KTLA The CW | Where Los Angeles Lives
  6. ↑ Los Angeles Television Station Honors Black Newsman Larry McCormick - KTLA-TV - Brief Article | Jet | Find Articles at BNET.com

External links

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