Lawrence William 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, from 1958-63. 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 African-American newscasters in the country, leaving his morning drive slot as disc jockey on radio, KGFJ Los Angeles, where he was also PD, Program Director, from 1968-1969, 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, 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 and Morris Erby and was directed by James Wheaton.[5][6]
^Harford, Margaret (17 Jun 1968). "'The Odd Couple' at Ebony Showcase". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. p. 82. Retrieved 11 Sep 2017. The squabbling poker pals are Earl Watkins as Murray the cop, Douglass Brown who goes on vacations with his wife because he cannot drive a car, Larry McCormick and James Goodwin.
^"Negro version of 'Odd Couple' set". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. 21 May 1968. p. 64. Retrieved 11 Sep 2017. Larry McCormick, KGFJ disc jockey, will make his acting debut in the show.
