Aug 3, 2007 7:56 pm US/Pacific
KTLA: Hal Fishman Has Colon, Liver Cancer
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Longtime KTLA-TV anchorman Hal Fishman has colon cancer, which has spread to his liver, the station announced Friday afternoon.
Doctors found the cancer after Fishman collapsed at his home Wednesday and was hospitalized to treat what was described as a serious infection.
"Hal is still being treated for the infection. While being treated for the infection, doctors also found colon cancer, which has spread to his liver," said Rich Goldner, the station's interim news director.
"Hal is awake and thanks everyone for their well wishes, and says he's going to fight this illness," he added. "He is looking forward to coming back when he gets better."
The hospital where Fishman was being treated was not disclosed.
Fishman, who will turn 76 on Aug. 25, has anchored KTLA's 10 p.m. newscast since 1975. He joined the station a decade earlier, and contributed to the station's Peabody Award-winning coverage of the Watts riots that year.
The station's newsroom was named in his honor in 2000.
Fishman's honors include the Governors Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a lifetime achievement award from the Associated Press Television-Radio Association.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
