Veteran TV news reporter Tony Valdez has died

Veteran FOX 11 reporter Tony Valdez passed away at the age of 78, the station announced Friday, May 5.

His son Steve shared he had been battling end-stage kidney failure and had passed away at his home. According to Fox 11, Valdez worked at the station for 35 years and retired in 2016.

In his time on television, Valdez covered a number of important moments in Southern California history including the OJ Simpson trial, the Watts Riots and the Night Stalker, which was featured in a documentary on Netflix.

Several local TV news personalities took to Twitter to remember Valdez, with many calling him a tough reporter and legendary journalist.

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This man was my friend, a bond that wasn’t to be taken for granted with Tony. But once you formed it, it was for life. He was the best of the best in our field. He was tough because he knew what and who he stood for. RIP Tony

— Jeff Michael (@JeffMichaelNews) May 5, 2023

RIP #TonyValdez Sad to share news of the passing of our longtime colleague.

I received a call from Tony’s son that he had been battling end stage kidney failure. Tony was 78 .

Tony was a well-respected reporter at @FOXLA from 1981 – 2016. We co-anchored weekends in ‘90s.???? pic.twitter.com/y92GJYCTpP

— Christine Devine (@DevineNews) May 5, 2023

This is a terrible shock. Tony Valdez was a stalwart reporter and a good human. He loved this city and its stories. We will miss him, but we are all richer for his service. May he rest in peace.

— Marc Brown (@abc7marc) May 5, 2023

Tony was a giant. So intimidating when I first met him decades ago but once you earned Tony’s reapect you had a friend forever. We just spoke not too long ago about his efforts to help journalists. I will miss you and will so will Southern California.

— Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) May 5, 2023

Such a loss ???? An amazing journalist, person, and friend. God must’ve needed someone to interview him… ????

— Jennifer Gould (@jennifergould) May 5, 2023

Great guy, terrific and tough reporter, and a real pioneer.

— eric spillman (@ericspillman) May 5, 2023

He was our “grizzled veteran” who was sooo comfortable reporting from the streets. No one was prouder of his heritage. I’ll miss the long, wise conversations. Legacy FOX 11 reporter Tony Valdez passes away https://t.co/6mSzkmXA7R

— Rick Garcia (@RickGarciaNews) May 5, 2023

RIP. Tony Valdez. An intrepid reporter, a proud man( in the best sense) a historian of Los Angeles and it’s culture; a man whose work and passion touched so many. He will be missed by so many. Tony was 78 pic.twitter.com/tmTlG1ZBBS

— Steve Edwards (@SteveEdwardsAM) May 5, 2023