Gabe Pressman, legendary TV news reporter, dead at 93

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Longtime television news reporter Gabe Pressman has died at the age of 93.

A Bronx native, Pressman spent the bulk of his career at WNBC. Pressman worked in broadcast news for 60 years, according to his bio on the news station's website. He made the jump to TV in 1956 after several years in print and radio news.

"He was truly one of a kind and represented the very best in television news reporting. Gabe was still coming to work and thinking about the next story," WNBC president Eric Lerner said in a statement. "He was a treasured colleague and friend to all of us and he will be missed. We extend our deepest condolences to the Pressman family during this difficult time."

Pressman also worked at WNEW (what is now WNYW/Fox 5 News) during an eight-year span in the late 1970s before returning to WNBC.

He interviewed every New York City mayor since Robert Wagner in the 1950s and every U.S. president from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton, the AP reported. Pressman also included Fidel Castro, Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Malcolm X, and many other newsmakers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that Pressman "always gave you the story straight."

"Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Gabe was the North Star for several generations of New York reporters, fighting doggedly to hold public officials accountable and to protect the rights of the press," Cuomo said. "I am deeply saddened by Gabe's passing, but know all New Yorkers will continue to benefit from the contributions he made over a lifetime that spoke truth to power."

The multiple Emmy Award, Edward R. Murrow Award, and Peabody Award winner worked up until the very end of his life.

Pressman's wife, Vera, confirmed his death on Friday.

Rest in peace.