Suzie Humphreys, Texas Radio Hall-of-Famer and former talk show host has died, leaving behind a memorable legacy in Texas broadcast journalism. She was 87.
Humphreys worked as a secretary in Dallas and performed in a comedy show before breaking into local journalism. In the 1970s, Humphreys anchored WFAA Channel 8’s morning television show News 8 etc… alongside Don Harris and Gene Thomas.
The hosts produced the live show five days a week without cue cards or teleprompters, according to an article published by the University of North Texas. The show was known by local audiences for its quirky improvisation, celebrity guests and comedic stunts.
The production was met with tragedy. In 1971, Thomas died in a drag-racing crash at the Dallas International Motor Speedway while reporting a story. Harris left the show, and was killed in 1978 while reporting in Guyana.
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Humphreys herself narrowly escaped death by avoiding a helicopter crash by minutes at her next gig reporting from the KVIL station traffic helicopter. Humphreys, pregnant at the time, got off the chopper due to nausea just before it took off again and crashed, killing the pilot.
The temporary assignment reporting on traffic from the air turned into two decades with the radio station alongside legendary radio host Ron Chapman.
Her reports were filled with humor and authenticity, said long-time Dallas-Fort Worth broadcaster Jody Dean.
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“She’s a broadcast legend,” Dean said. “The contribution she made to the industry and the opportunities she helped create for women in particular because of her extraordinary talent, is just breathtaking.”
Humphreys was also an actress, comedian, author and she had a passion for motivational speaking. She was inducted into the National Speakers Association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
She was born in 1937 and grew up in San Antonio, according to an article published by UNT.