Diana Lewis, (pictured) the legendary anchor who delivered the news, both good and bad, to metro-Detroiters for more than 35 years is retiring, the Detroit Free Press reports.
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Lewis will co-anchor Channel 7’s 5 and 6 p.m. broadcasts for the last time on Oct.3.
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“The impact Diana Lewis has had upon television and Detroit is immeasurable,”said Ed Fernandez, WXYZ Vice-President and General Manager. “We have been incredibly fortunate to work with such a great journalist and Detroit has been fortunate to have such a strong, dedicated voice serving our community. Diana is the consummate professional and an iconic figure in the industry.”
The Pennsylvania native began her journalism career in 1968 at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia. She also worked in Los Angeles before making her way to Detroit in 1977, where she has won more than 150 journalism and community awards.
She was paired with another great Detroit anchorman, Bill Bonds. The dynamic news dual quickly became a household name and was the number one news team in Metro Detroit.
WATCH Diana Lewis Perform In “Rocky”
When she wasn’t on-air, Lewis was out in the community working enhance the lives of women. She was particularly passionate about raising awareness in the Black community on the subject of organ donations via the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program. Lewis spoke before the Michigan State Senate on the issue of organ donation laws and is the only newscaster have been invited to speak on the Senate floor.
Another factoid that many may not be aware of is that Lewis also acted in several films–including “Rocky” and “Rocky 5.” You may have also seen her in “The Twilight Zone,” “Hunter,” “The Gary Shandling Show,” “Murder She Wrote,” “The Million Dollar Caper,” and “All My Children.”
Lewis told the Free Press that while she is signing off the air in October, Detroit has not seen the last of her.
“I work whether the cameras are on or not,” she said. “If you think you’ve seen me at my best, you wait until I sign off.
“I may not be in your living room at 5 and 6 o clock, but I will lifelong be in the community. I will continue to do what I’ve done. At 69 years of age, it’s a new day. I might even learn how to tweet at home. I have some time on my hands.”
