Legendary Bay Area news anchor Dennis Richmond dies at 81

Dennis Richmond, a longtime anchor and one of the most recognizable figures in Bay Area news, has died at the age of 81, his former station KTVU confirmed.

Richmond passed away in Grass Valley with his wife, Deborah, by his side.

Richmond joined KTVU as a clerk and worked his way up to become an anchor in 1976, becoming one of the first Black news anchors in a major U.S. market. His deep voice, authoritative presence, and signature thick mustache made him a household name throughout Northern California.

During his decades-long career, Richmond covered some of the Bay Area’s most significant news events, including the 1976 Patty Hearst kidnapping, the 1978 assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and the devastating 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm.

He retired in 2008 after more than 40 years at KTVU, leaving behind a legacy of journalistic excellence and professionalism.

Initially, KTVU reported Richmond’s age at the time of his passing as 82 but later corrected it to 81. His impact on Bay Area journalism remains profound, and he is remembered as a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations of news anchors.