Edie Huggins

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Edie Huggins
Edie Huggins in 1971
BornAugust 14, 1935
St. Joseph, Missouri
DiedJuly 29, 2008(2008-07-29) (aged 72)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Edie Huggins (August 14, 1935 – July 29, 2008) was an American television

WCAU-TV for 42 years; the longest consecutive television run of any Philadelphia TV news reporter in history.[1][2]

Early life and career

Huggins was born Edith "Eddie" Lou Thompson

cum laude with a bachelor's degree in science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.[1][2]

Huggins began her career by working as a

Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Louis Armstrong.[1][2]

WCAU-TV

External videos
video icon “Edie's People: Peter Nero”, Edie Huggins in an undated interview with Peter Nero, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia

Huggins was initially hired as a features reporter at

executive in a New York City restaurant. That executive was Bruce Bryan, the general manager of WCAU-TV, or Channel 10, which was a CBS network affiliate at the time. Huggins, a single mother, arrived in Philadelphia for her new job with her two children and just $65.[1][2]

In a 2006 interview for her 40th anniversary with WCAU, Huggins confided that she had been hired despite a lack on-air, live television experience. She stated that the reason that she was hired was to compete against the then-local NBC affiliate, KYW-TV, which had just hired its first African American female reporter, Trudy Haynes. Huggins, herself, made history when she joined WCAU by becoming the station's first African American female reporter.[1][2]

Following her success on WCAU, the management of the television station gave Huggins her own show, Morning Side. Huggins also co-hosted a midday news show called What's Happening during the early 1970s with Herb Clarke, weatherman. Her other shows on WCAU included Horizons and Huggins' Heroes, which focused on ordinary local people who had accomplished notable achievements, especially for the benefit of the larger community. Huggins Heroes became a weekly profile feature on WCAU news broadcasts during the 1990s and 2000s (decade), and highlighted Huggins's reputation as a reporter who focused on "unsung heroes" throughout the Philadelphia region.[1][2]

In 2006, the Philadelphia City Council honored Huggins on her 40th anniversary at WCAU (by then an NBC affiliate) by proclaiming "Edie Huggins Day" in the city. "Edie Huggins Day" was officially proclaimed with a resolution on March 30, 2006.[1][2]

Huggins's other career honors included her induction into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. She was also chosen by the

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.[1][2]

Huggins was a founding member of the

mentor and was affectionately referred to as "Miss Edie" by younger reporters and staff throughout the Philadelphia television news industry.[1][2]

In 2006, Huggins was cast in the lead role in the independent film, So Big. The film debuted on May 3, 2008, at International House in Philadelphia.[1][2]

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Edie Huggins into their Hall of Fame in 2002.

Death

Edie Huggins grave at West Laurel Hill Cemetery

Edie Huggins died of

Bala Cynwyd
.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dan, Gross (July 29, 2008). "Veteran broadcaster Edie Huggins dies at 72". Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia: Edie Huggins". Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Weston, Alonzo (August 6, 2008). "Pioneer left mark on TV". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved August 23, 2008.[permanent dead link]

External links

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