FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Born in the Peloponnesian Peninsula of Greece, \u201cduring the middle of the last century,\u201d Kopi once worried about leaving warm summers, mild winters, and beautiful beaches for America. After consulting the \u201cGods of Mt. Olympus,\u201d and when his father asked where he wanted to go in America, three-year-old Kopi declared: \u201cFRRRREEESNO!\u201d<\/p>\n
Thankfully for all of us, that\u2019s exactly where he landed.<\/p>\n
Kopi Sotiropulos announces he is retiring{ }<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cDialing for Dollars.\u201d 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 \u201cThe Incredible Hulk\u201d to \u201cGeneral Hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
But home called him back.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kopi often says, \u201cWhat job can you be wrong about 25 percent of the time and still get a paycheck?\u201d The truth is, he got it right where it mattered most \u2014 building trust, community, and a legacy that will endure long after his final forecast.<\/p>\n
Kopi joined co-host Kim Stephens on the Great Day morning show on October 6, 2003.<\/p>\n
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