Tom Frandsen; Veteran Los Angeles TV Host

Tom Frandsen, the smooth-talking but affable TV host and newsman on the Los Angeles scene for nearly 40 years, has died.

A family spokesman said Frandsen died Friday of the complications of a stroke at Scripps Hospital in Encinitas. He had been living in retirement in nearby Rancho La Costa.

For many years, Frandsen’s appearances were a fixture in Southern California living rooms.

He began at KNBC after graduating from the University of Notre Dame’s Navy flier program after World War II. He wrote news and was host of an afternoon movie and talk show.

“Tom Frandsen FYI” became one of the highest-rated afternoon shows in the area but was eventually canceled to make room for a network talk show hosted by a new national talent--Mike Wallace.

“The network wanted my slot,” Frandsen told The Times in 1985, because of the additional revenue generated by a national program. “But I had a contract and they had to pay me--and handsomely,” he added with obvious satisfaction.

Frandsen moved to KHJ, where he became vice president of community affairs and editorial director.

Although he officially retired more than a decade ago, he continued for a time to host “Meet the Mayors,” a 30-minute series of interviews with the mayors of Southland cities on Channel 9, and another public service program, “Government Scene.”

Survivors include his wife, June, two sons and four grandchildren, who ask that donations in Frandsen’s name be sent to the Shriners’ Hospital for Crippled Children.