Longtime Southern California television host and Palm Springs resident Huell Howser, who used his folksy interviewing style to introduce viewers to little-known Golden State locales and the state’s unique residents, died today at age 67.
Huell Howser. (Flickr/Joits)
Howser died in Palm Springs at 2:35 a.m. of natural causes, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
Howser was best known for hosting the public-broadcasting series “California’s Gold,” which ran for 19 years.
He started his television career at WSM in Nashville after graduating from the University of Tennessee, working for a United States senator and serving in the Marine Corps. He hosted a magazine-style series at WCBS in New York City before moving to Los Angeles in 1981 to work as a reporter for CBS2, according to his website.
He joined public television station KCET in 1987 to produce “Videolog,” short programs featuring people’s unique stories.
The series later expanded to people and places throughout California.
Howser quietly retired from “California Gold” late last year, amid rumors about his failing health. His assistant, Ryan Morris, told the Los Angeles Times in November that Howser was retiring from filming new shows, saying he “is just trying to get away from television and enjoy some free time.”
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Say it ain’t so, I loved his program and still watch it daily. His was the original reality TV with an educational spin. No one could replace him because he was the show. I felt bad for Luey F. that time they went out on that window washing adventure on a high rise. Oh shit!
I loved that show about death valley it was great.Kind of like Elvis the show people could watch with the same quality throughout the years. I feel like a kid every time I watch California’s gold as he just entered our minds as tho he already knew how and what we liked.