Paul Long

Inducted 1997

Deceased 

Paul Long grew up on a farm in East Texas during the Depression. In 1932, he hitchhiked to Denton where he entered North Texas State Teachers College. He studied for a year in drama school and then spent several years in New York City as a radio actor, film narrator, and stage actor. 

In 1940, he entered broadcasting full-time. He worked in news, public events, and sports at radio stations in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.  At the end of the war, he returned to radio in Louisiana.  A tip from a friend led him to Pittsburgh, where he landed in June 1946 at KDKA.  He joined the news department of KDKA, where he stayed for more than 22 years, working as an announcer and reporter.

When KDKA acquired Channel 2, he worked both sides of the house-radio and television.  He anchored the 8 a.m. television news and the Sunday night news, and hosted panel programs.  His radio duties included covering the Pirates games, a shift as a street reporter, and five or six newscasts a day.  He flew his own plane to the out-of-town games of the Pirates.

In 1968, Long joined WTAE-TV.  In May 1969, he was named a news anchorman. Later that year, he was joined by Don Cannon as co-anchor, and the two worked together until January 1, 1995, when Long retired.

Long is one of Pittsburgh's best known and most respected newscasters and citizens.  In 1964, he received the Sigma Delta Chi Award, a nationally recognized award for excellence in public service. In 1967 he was given the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) first annual award as the Best Television Newsman.  He won this award again in 1970, 1971, and 1980, the only person to win that award four times. He holds a Life Achievement Award from AFTRA.

The Pittsburgh Jaycees named him Man of the Year in Communications in 1970.  In 1971, Theta Sigma Phi named him Printer's Devil for his ability to add the light, humorous touch to an otherwise serious news story.  In 1982, Point Park College awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.  In 1984, he received an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Waynesburg College.

Long served as president of the Western Pennsylvania Heart Association.  He also served on the boards of the Cancer Society of Allegheny County, Big Brothers and Sisters of Allegheny County, and the American Wind Symphony.