Charles Hillinger (April 1, 1926 – April 28, 2008) was an American journalist. He wrote for the Los Angeles Times from 1946 to 1992, initially as a reporter, and eventually as a feature writer and a columnist. He authored several books, including California Characters: An Array of Amazing People, a collection of his columns.
Charles Hillinger | |
|---|---|
 Hillinger in 1963 | |
| Born | April 1, 1926 Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 28, 2008 |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Spouse | Arliene Hillinger |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Life
editHillinger was born on April 1, 1926, in Evanston, Illinois.[1] He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science.[1]
Hillinger joined Los Angeles Times in 1946.[2] He initially worked in its editorial library, and he later became a reporter.[2] He penned a column called Charles Hillinger's California from 1985 to 1991.[2] During that time, he wrote feature articles about individuals all over the country, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.[1] He retired in 1992.[2]
Hillinger was honored with an NAACP Image Award in 1980.[3] He authored three books and edited a fourth book about the Bel Air Country Club.[3] His 2000 book, California Characters: An Array of Amazing People, was a collection of some of his columns.[4] For Jonathan Kirsch, "Hillinger's book is never a freak show, and more often than not the profiles are little morality plays."[4]
With his wife Arliene, Hillinger had a son, Brad, and a daughter, Tori Lindman.[1] He died on April 28, 2008, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.[1] His funeral was held at the Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Rolling Hills Estates, California.[1]
Works
edit- Hillinger, Charles (1958). The California Islands; with photos. Los Angeles, California: Academy Publishing. OCLC 68152931.
- Hillinger, Charles, ed. (1993). Bel-Air Country Club: A Living Legend. Los Angeles, California: Bel-Air Country Club. ISBN 9780963920508. OCLC 43392892.
- Hillinger, Charles (1998). Charles Hillinger's Channel Islands: Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Rosa, San Clemente, Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara, California: Santa Cruz Island Foundation. ISBN 9781886342040. OCLC 40015685.
- Hillinger, Charles (2000). California Characters: An Array of Amazing People. Santa Barbara, California: Capra Press. ISBN 9780884964438. OCLC 1001902127.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f McLellan, Dennis (April 30, 2008). "Times writer made colorful characters his beat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Associated Press (May 1, 2008). "Charles Hillinger. L.A. Times columnist, 82". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. B10. Retrieved July 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Charles Hillinger 1926-2008". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ a b Kirsch, Jonathan (October 18, 2000). "Homage to California's Oddball Cranks". Los Angeles Times. p. 71. Retrieved July 22, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.