Gil-Noble-Obituary

Gil Noble

Obituary

NEW YORK (AP) — Gil Noble, the longtime host of WABC-TV's groundbreaking public affairs program "Like It Is," where he interviewed such notables as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson, died Thursday. He was 80.

The television station announced the Emmy Award-winning journalist's death on its website. He had a debilitating stroke last summer.

"Gil Noble's life and work had a profound effect on our society and culture," said WABC-TV President and General Manager Dave Davis. "His contributions are a part of history and will be remembered for years to come."

Noble joined WABC-TV as a reporter in 1967 and anchored the station's weekend newscasts the following year. Also in 1968, he became host of "Like It Is," which focused on issues concerning African-Americans.

He was equally as comfortable interviewing heads of state such as Mandela or Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe as he was interviewing entertainers such as Harry Belafonte and Bill Cosby or sports icons such as Ali or tennis star Arthur Ashe.

Noble also created documentaries on luminaries like civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., writer W.E.B. Du Bois, and jazz musician Charlie Parker.

Noble was the recipient of seven Emmy awards and received a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists. He also received five honorary doctorates and was cited with more than 650 awards from various community groups.

He had a passion for jazz and was a member of the board of directors of The Jazz Foundation of America.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and five children. Funeral services haven't yet been announced.

FRANK ELTMAN
Associated Press


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Mr Noble thank you for all the knowledge you have given so many people


YOU ARE MISSED...YOUR GREATNESS.....RIP

I recall a premonition that he would not be with us much longer. I asked a couple of the Brothers that were frequent visitors on the show about what will be done to carry on his work. They responded that it was being looked into. His dream was one of a kind. I told him one time that maybe a part of the show should applaud our successes. I prayed who ever was given the assignment (by God) to follow in his footsteps would present the problems along with solutions. Truly prayers are answered....

My condolences to the Noble family.
America has lost a distinguished scholar, communicator, journalist, and humanist. I loved watching Like It Is on ABC-7 and I've learned so much African and African American history and the conditions and situations that have negative impact to the black community and yet there is hope, still. God bless you, Gil. You will be missed.

Mr. Noble conducted an excellent interview of Bob Marley, the best I've seen. A smooth, suave, and highly intelligent man, who brought people closer to the truth.

To the Noble family. I grew up with you in Montclair, NJ many years ago. I visited your home as a friend of the twins. I fondly remember the family and how Ms. Noble gave me my first introduction to Island living and Kingston Town. Although I've moved on in life, I remember how kind Mr. Noble was to me. I never forgot the family. I pray the entire family is coping with their loss and I will continue to pray for God's peace to be with you. Kim Jackson Ovesen

Curtis Cole You are Missed

Gil should be respected and remembered in reverence since my twenty dollars worth of college registration taught me to deeply appreciate the results of his career and the excellence of his reporting. He will live on and be difficult to replace