Larry McCormick (TV)
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Lawrence William McCormick (February 3, 1933 – August 27, 2004) was an American television actor, reporter and news anchor, most notably working for
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
television station
KTLA-TV KTLA (channel 5) is a television station in Los Angeles, California, United States, serving as the West Coast flagship station of The CW. It is the largest directly owned property of the network's majority owner, Nexstar Media Group, and is the ...
.


Biography

McCormick was born in
Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...
to Pastor L.W. McCormick and Laura McCormick (pianist and vocalist). He began his broadcasting career in the late 1950s as a
disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include Radio personality, radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at nightclubs or music fes ...
, upon graduating from University of Kansas City. He first came to Los Angeles in 1958, working at then- R&B radio station KGFJ, from 1958-63. He later moved across town to popular
Top-40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "Top ...
music outlet KFWB-AM from 1964-1968 before they instituted an all-news format in the spring of 1968.KTLA The CW , Celebrating 60 Years
McCormick became one of the first African-American newscasters in the country, leaving his morning drive slot as
disc jockey A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs include Radio personality, radio DJs (who host programs on music radio stations), club DJs (who work at nightclubs or music fes ...
on radio, KGFJ Los Angeles, where he was also PD, Program Director, from 1968-1969, transitioning to
KCOP-TV KCOP-TV (channel 13), branded Fox 11 Plus, is a television station in Los Angeles, California, United States, serving as the West Coast flagship station of MyNetworkTV. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet K ...
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. On August 27, 2004, McCormick died of a cancer-related illness at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit, Tertiary referral hospital, tertiary, 915-bed teaching hospital and multi-specialty academic health science centre, academic health science center located in Los Angeles, California. Part of the Cedars ...
in Los Angeles, at the age of 71.


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 The ''MDA Labor Day Telethon'' was an annual telethon held on (starting the night before and throughout) Labor Day in the United States to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Muscular Dystrophy Association was founded i ...
, back when KTLA carried the telethon locally (the telethon has aired on
KCAL-TV KCAL-TV (channel 9) is an independent television station in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside CBS West Coast flagship KCBS-TV (channel 2). The two stations share studios at the ...
since 1996). Also, for a twelve-year span (1988–2000), he hosted the
Los Angeles Unified School District Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is a State school, public school district in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. It is the largest public school system in California in terms of number of students and the List ...
Academic Decathlon, including two national academic decathlons.


Film, stage 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 characters. In 1968, he made his stage acting debut as Speed in '' The Odd Couple'' at the Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles. The production starred
Nick Stewart Horace Winfred "Nick" Stewart (March 15, 1910 – December 18, 2000), also billed as Nick O'Demus, was an American television and film actor. He was best known for his role as Lightnin' (Willie Jefferson) on TV's '' The Amos 'n' Andy Show'' (1951 ...
and Morris Erby and was directed by James Wheaton. As an actor, McCormick usually appeared in guest spots on TV shows, mostly on TV dramas and sitcoms, such as ''
That Girl ''That Girl'' is an American television sitcom that ran on ABC from September 8, 1966, to March 19, 1971. It starred Marlo Thomas as the title character, Ann Marie, an aspiring (but only sporadically employed) actress who moves from her hometo ...
''; ''
Barnaby Jones ''Barnaby Jones'' is an American detective fiction, detective television series starring Buddy Ebsen as a formerly retired investigator and Lee Meriwether as his widowed daughter-in-law. They run a private detective firm in Los Angeles, Califor ...
''; ''
The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985. Lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes, ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history ...
'' (in a memorable 1979 episode as Florence's strict and ultra-conservative born-again
Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
beau); ''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The series f ...
''; ''
Beverly Hills, 90210 ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (often referred to as ''90210'') is an American teen drama television series created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling via his production company Spelling Television. The series ran for 10 seasons on Fo ...
''; and ''
Angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
'' (1999). He also made appearances in such movies as ''
The Punisher The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher mad ...
'' (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 '' The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour'' and ''
Dynomutt, Dog Wonder ''Dynomutt, Dog Wonder'' is an American animated television series created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on ABC from September 11, 1976, to October 1, 1977. The show centers on a Batman-esque s ...
''.


Awards and honors

In 1994, McCormick was honored with the Governors Award, a high, prestigious honor given annually by the
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), also colloquially known as the Television Academy, is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the Television in the United States, television industry in the United S ...
. In June 2001, KTLA honored McCormick by renaming one of its soundstages at Tribune Studios in his name.Los Angeles Television Station Honors Black Newsman Larry McCormick - KTLA-TV - Brief Article , Jet , Find Articles at BNET.com
He was also awarded a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...
for his work in Television.


Filmography


Television work (as actor)

* ''
Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb and produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pe ...
'' (1969) as Wesley * ''
That Girl ''That Girl'' is an American television sitcom that ran on ABC from September 8, 1966, to March 19, 1971. It starred Marlo Thomas as the title character, Ann Marie, an aspiring (but only sporadically employed) actress who moves from her hometo ...
'' (1969) as Reporter * ''
The Brady Bunch ''The Brady Bunch'' is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired five seasons from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family of six children, with three boys and three gir ...
'' (1969) as TV Announcer * ''
Assault on the Wayne ''Assault on the Wayne'' is a 1971 American Cold War-themed action thriller TV film starring Joseph Cotten, Lloyd Haynes, Dewey Martin, Leonard Nimoy and William Windom. It aired on January 12, 1971, in the ''ABC Movie of the Week'' space. Th ...
'' (1971) as Radio Operator * ''
McMillan & Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976 to 1977) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, ...
'' (1971) as Announcer * ''
The Doris Day Show ''The Doris Day Show'' is an American sitcom which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1968 until March 1973, remaining on the air for five seasons and 128 episodes. The series is remembered for its multiple format and cast chang ...
'' (1971-1972) as Jim * ''Murdock's Gang'' (1973) as TV Reporter * ''
The Dream Makers ''The Dream Makers'' is a 1975 American made-for-television drama film starring James Franciscus, Diane Baker, John Astin, Ron Thompson, Kenny Rogers and directed by Boris Sagal. It aired on January 7, 1975 on the NBC television network. P ...
'' (1975) as TV Commentator * '' The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour'' (1976) as Mayor Gaunt (voice) * '' The Last Hurrah'' (1977) as Election announcer * ''
Dynomutt, Dog Wonder ''Dynomutt, Dog Wonder'' is an American animated television series created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears and produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on ABC from September 11, 1976, to October 1, 1977. The show centers on a Batman-esque s ...
'' (1978) as Mayor Gaunt (voice) * ''
The Rockford Files ''The Rockford Files'' is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner, aired on NBC from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980. Garner portrays Los Angeles private investigator Jim Rockford, with Noah Beery Jr. in th ...
'' (1978) as Newscaster * ''
The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985. Lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes, ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history ...
'' (1979) as Buzz Thatcher * ''
Barnaby Jones ''Barnaby Jones'' is an American detective fiction, detective television series starring Buddy Ebsen as a formerly retired investigator and Lee Meriwether as his widowed daughter-in-law. They run a private detective firm in Los Angeles, Califor ...
'' (3 episodes, 1973–1979) as TV Announcer * '' Blind Ambition'' (1979, TV miniseries) as TV Commentator * ''Act of Violence'' (1979) as Sportscaster * '' 240-Robert'' (1981) as Newscaster * ''Between Two Brothers'' (1982) as Reporter * '' Shooting Stars'' (1983) (TV) as T.V. Newsman * ''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The series f ...
'' (1984) as TV Reporter * ''
Matt Houston ''Matt Houston'' is an American crime drama television series starring Lee Horsley as the title character, a wealthy oilman who holds a side job as a private investigator. Created by Lawrence Gordon and produced by Aaron Spelling, it origin ...
'' (1984) as Newsman * ''
The Fall Guy ''The Fall Guy'' is an American action-adventure television series produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986. It stars Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas as Hollywood stunt performers who moonl ...
'' (1984) * ''Streets of Justice'' (1985) as TV Reporter #1 * ''
Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...
'' (1985) as TV Anchorman * ''
Cagney & Lacey ''Cagney & Lacey'' is an American police procedural drama television series that aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from March 25, 1982, to May 16, 1988. The show is about two New York City police detectives who lead very dif ...
'' (1985) as Reporter #1 * ''The Case of the Hillside Stranglers'' (1989) as Newscaster * '' Dear John'' (1989) as The Reporter * ''
Mathnet ''Mathnet'' is a segment on the children's television show ''Square One Television'' that follows the adventures of pairs of police mathematicians. It is a pastiche of ''Dragnet (1951 TV series), Dragnet''. Premise ''Mathnet'' is a pastiche of ...
'' (1990) as Anchorman * ''
Knots Landing ''Knots Landing'' is an American primetime television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of ''Dallas (TV series), Dallas'', it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially cente ...
'' (1989–1990) as Reporter / TV Announcer / Presenter * '' Columbo: Columbo Goes to College'' (1990) as News Anchor * '' Midnight Run for Your Life'' (1994) as Newscaster * ''
Sliders Slider or Sliders may refer to: Arts * K.K. Slider, a fictional character within the ''Animal Crossing'' franchise * '' The Slider'', a 1972 album by T. Rex * ''Sliders'' (TV series), an American science fiction and fantasy television series * ...
'' (1999) as Weatherman * ''
Beverly Hills, 90210 ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (often referred to as ''90210'') is an American teen drama television series created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling via his production company Spelling Television. The series ran for 10 seasons on Fo ...
'' (1999) as Reporter * ''
Angel An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
'' (2003) as Himself


References


External links


Jet Magazine: Los Angeles Television Station Honors Black Newsman Larry McCormick
* {{DEFAULTSORT:McCormick, Larry 1933 births 2004 deaths Male actors from Kansas City, Missouri African-American television personalities American male journalists 20th-century American journalists Television anchors from Los Angeles American male television actors American male film actors University of Missouri–Kansas City alumni Deaths from cancer in California Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) 20th-century American male actors 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people