Tony Hall; Popular Radio Talk Show Host

Tom Hall, popular African American weekend radio talk show host at KABC for 19 years, has died. He was 57.

Hall died Saturday of lymphoma and leukemia, KABC spokesman Bil Lennert said Tuesday. He said Hall’s last broadcast was March 15.

Hall was one of Southern California’s earliest and most respected minority radio hosts.

Hall, who began working for KABC-AM (790) Talkradio in 1978, regularly interviewed experts on politics and local issues. He was particularly known for his astute and humorous handling of “People’s Forum,” a segment for call-in comments on a variety of topics ranging from science to sex therapy to the national economy.

The radio host had also worked as a public affairs reporter for KNBC television for “The Saturday Show” and “The Everywhere Show.”

Hall made a brief appearance in the motion picture “The Formula” starring George C. Scott and Marlon Brando.

Before his talk show, Hall spent five years working as interviewer, writer and producer for a television documentary crew.

The experience took him to Africa, Europe and the Middle East as well as throughout the United States and earned him credits on more than 40 documentaries.

He also had a private consulting company.

Hall is survived by his wife, Luana, and four children.

The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Tom Hall Scholarship Fund, KABC Talkradio Community Relations, 3321 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90016.