Real-life San Diego anchor man who inspired Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy and the movie character’s fiercely mustachioed look dies at 82

Harold Greene, a veteran Southern California news anchor whose 1970s appearance helped inspire Ron Burgundy’s look in the film Anchorman, has died aged 82. His family announced his death on Tuesday, marking the loss of a journalist who spent nearly four decades reporting and presenting for CBS and ABC audiences.

Greene began his career as a producer and reporter in 1970, then became a familiar face on ABC 10News in San Diego. Filmmakers spotted his feathered haircut and thick moustache in photographs while researching the era; colleague Jack White said Greene contributed visual inspiration, though Burgundy was an amalgam of people. Former mentee Hal Clement recalled Greene as a serious journalist with a strong sense of humour, and stressed that he was very different from the film’s foolish character.