WBZ announces death of former TV reporter Charlie Austin
The trailblazing journalist, who worked at the station for more than 30 years, died Tuesday at the age of 73.
Charlie Austin, a celebrated journalist who worked at WBZ for more than 30 years, died early Tuesday morning at the age of 73, according to CBS Boston.
JUST IN: Charles Austin, Legendary WBZ-TV Reporter, Dies At 73 https://t.co/XriMVpry4H pic.twitter.com/8kqQXfwb0B
— WBZ | CBS News Boston (@wbz) April 10, 2018
The station lauded Austin as a trailblazer who began working at WBZ in 1968 after serving in the U.S. Army, starting out as a film processor, editor, and sports anchor before he became a general assignment reporter.
“Charlie led the charge when it came to compassion,” former WBZ-TV News Director Peter Brown told WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens. “He felt each story he covered and each story meant something to him.”
Austin was one of the first African-Americans on television in Boston, along with Sarah Ann Shaw and Walt Sanders, according to WBZ.
Former WBZ-TV anchor Liz Walker, who became the first African-American weeknight news anchor in Boston, told the station that Austin helped her find “meaning” in her life.
“Charlie was a trailblazer in this city,” she told WBZ. “Charlie paved the way for people like me. He was just an amazing journalist. He let his work speak for him and that was even more powerful to me.”
According to the station, Austin retired in 2000. He leaves his wife, Linda, and three daughters, Amy, Lisa, and Danielle.
His death follows that of Tony Pepper, 79, who co-anchored the news on WBZ from 1974 to 1981.
Watch the WBZ tribute to Austin below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd0T-R6nNRE
