FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — After more than five decades with KMPH and more than three decades as the face of weather, news, and humor in the Central Valley, Kopi Sotiropulos has announced his retirement on March 27th.
Born in the Peloponnesian Peninsula of Greece, “during the middle of the last century,” Kopi once worried about leaving warm summers, mild winters, and beautiful beaches for America. After consulting the “Gods of Mt. Olympus,” and when his father asked where he wanted to go in America, three-year-old Kopi declared: “FRRRREEESNO!”
Thankfully for all of us, that’s exactly where he landed.
Kopi Sotiropulos announces he is retiring{ }
From Fremont Elementary (without knowing a word of English) to Hamilton Jr. High, where he became Student Body Vice President on a platform of removing gum under desks and instituting a three-day school week, Kopi’s charm was evident early. At Fresno High, he traded politics for school spirit, serving as a Varsity Yell Leader. He later majored in broadcasting at San Francisco State, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Kopi was there at the very beginning of KMPH, hired in October 1971 when the station first began broadcasting. He wrote, produced, shot, edited, and starred in commercials and promos and hosted “Dialing for Dollars.” After six years, he and his wife, Elaine, headed to Hollywood, where he spent a decade acting alongside stars such as Eddie Murphy, Michael Keaton, Mary Tyler Moore, Goldie Hawn, and many others, appearing in shows ranging from “The Incredible Hulk” to “General Hospital.”
But home called him back.
Kopi’s weather forecasts, humor, school visits, and genuine connection with viewers have made him not just well known but deeply beloved across the San Joaquin Valley.
Kopi often says, “What job can you be wrong about 25 percent of the time and still get a paycheck?” The truth is, he got it right where it mattered most — building trust, community, and a legacy that will endure long after his final forecast.
Kopi joined co-host Kim Stephens on the Great Day morning show on October 6, 2003.
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Kopi was inducted into the San Francisco, Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences (NATAS) “Gold Circle” in 2022. It’s an honor reserved for a select few who have made significant contributions to the industry. Kopi has certainly done that. Kopi had already been inducted into the group’s ‘Silver Circle’ in 2018.
Kopi Sotiropulos was inducted into the old Circle for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Just a few weeks ago, the Clovis Chamber of Commerce selected Kopi for their annual ‘Community Impact Award’. I was there and was very happy to see the standing ovation Kopi received from the hundreds of people in attendance.
Clovis Chamber of Commerce honors FOX26’s Kopi Sotiropulos with Community Impact Award (Photo: FOX26 Photojournalist Byron Solorio)
Join the FOX26 family in congratulating Kopi — and as he would say “Start your day with a smile!”