Huell Burnley Howser was an American television personality, actor, voice artist, and comedian, best known for hosting California's Gold, his travel show based in Los Angeles at KCET for California PBS stations. The archive of his video chronicles offers an enhanced understa...
October 18, 1945, Gallatin, Tennessee, United States
Died
January 7, 2013, Palm Springs, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Gallatin
Height
6 ft 3 in (1.93 m)
Profession
Voice Actor, Television producer, Actor, Screenwriter, Presenter
Education
University of Tennessee
Nationality
United States of America
Parents
Jewell Howser, Harold Howser
Nicknames
Huell Burnley Howser
Movies
Winnie the Pooh
TV Shows
California's Gold
Star Sign
Libra
#
Trademark
1
Tennessee accent and salt 'n' pepper-colored hair
#
Quote
1
We operate on the premise that TV isn't brain surgery. People's stories are what it's all about. If you have a good story, it doesn't have to be overproduced. I want our stories to reveal the wonders of the human spirit and the richness of life in California, including its history, people, culture and natural wonders.
2
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. - about television
#
Fact
1
Spending time between his homes in Palm Springs and San Bernardino, California, while still continuing his trademark California documentaries and television specials. [February 2004]
2
His first name was a combination of the first names of his parents, Harold and Jewell Howser. Huell explains this in the opening of California's Gold: Smartsville (2009).
3
Since the incarnation of California's Gold (1991) and Visiting... with Huell Howser (1993), he has expanded his documentaries with new series such as "California's Green", "California's Golden Coast", "California's Golden Parks", "Road Trip... With Huell Howser", "California Missions" and specials highlighting the resort city of Palm Springs, California.
4
Worked for both the New York and Los Angeles affiliates of the CBS network as a television show host and field reporter. This was before ultimately joining his current network, PBS, at their Los Angeles affiliate of KCET, since the late 1980s.
5
Was the first to be given full access to film on the grounds and interiors of the Rancho Mirage, California home of Frank Sinatra, on his show California's Gold (1991). Out of many homes Sinatra owned, this was the most favored and considered intimate by the late entertainer, as revealed by members of his estate on the show.
6
Was a sought-out candidate for Palm Springs Mayor, during 2002, by a local group of citizens. Howser politely showed no interest.
7
A native of Tennessee, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in history and later served in the Marines. After working as an aide to Howard H. Baker Jr., then a Republican U.S. senator from Tennessee, he was hired as a reporter by WSM-TV, the NBC affiliate in Nashville.
8
The namesake of a Hawaiian honey ham & pineapple cheeseburger at Peggy Sue's 50s Diner (Yermo and Victorville, California)
9
Filed a taxpayer suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court to prevent the Long Beach Naval Station, which featured buildings by African-American architect Paul Williams, from being demolished and made into a cargo container facility for the Chinese government-owned shipping company COSCO, maintaing that such a use would be a "waste" of public assets. The lawsuit was thrown out and demolition began in October 1998. Congress has sinced passed a law preventing use of property by entities with ties to the People's Republic of China. (January 1997)
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
California's Gold
1991-2016
TV Series documentary 177 episodes
Road Trip with Huell Howser
2001-2011
TV Series documentary 31 episodes
Visiting... with Huell Howser
1993-2011
TV Series documentary 74 episodes
California's Golden Fairs
2010-2011
TV Series documentary 11 episodes
California's Golden Parks
2002-2009
TV Series documentary 21 episodes
California's Green
2004-2007
TV Series documentary 2 episodes
California's Golden Coast
2003-2004
TV Series documentary 9 episodes
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
California's Gold
1991-2016
TV Series documentary producer - 177 episodes
Road Trip with Huell Howser
2001-2011
TV Series documentary producer - 31 episodes
Visiting... with Huell Howser
1993-2011
TV Series documentary producer - 74 episodes
California's Golden Fairs
2010-2011
TV Series documentary producer - 11 episodes
California's Golden Parks
2002-2009
TV Series documentary producer - 21 episodes
California's Green
2004-2007
TV Series documentary producer - 2 episodes
California's Golden Coast
2003-2004
TV Series documentary producer - 9 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Winnie the Pooh
2011
Backson (voice)
Thoughts of Suicide on an Otherwise Lovely Day
2010
Short
Howser
Huell
Weeds
2008
TV Series
Huell Howser
Beverly Hills, 90210
1997
TV Series
Reed Harvey
Camera Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Road Trip with Huell Howser
2004
TV Series documentary camcorder - 1 episode
California's Gold
1996
TV Series documentary camera - 1 episode
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
California's Gold
2010
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Simpsons
2013
TV Series in memory of - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
California's Gold
1991-2016
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
A Golden State of Mind: The Storytelling Genius of Huell Howser
2014
Documentary
Road Trip with Huell Howser
2001-2011
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
Visiting... with Huell Howser
1993-2011
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
California's Golden Fairs
2010-2011
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
Huell Howser Special Event
2011
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The Simpsons
2009
TV Series
Himself
California's Golden Parks
2002-2009
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
California's Green
2004-2007
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
California's Golden Coast
2003-2004
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
In Smog and Thunder
2003
Himself
43rd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
2002
TV Movie
Himself
Wedding Day
1981
TV Series documentary
Host
To Life
1979
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Who Killed the Electric Car?
2006
Documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2011
Michael Landon Award
Young Artist Awards
California's Gold (1991)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2012
BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
Known for movies
Visiting... with Huell Howser (1993-2011) as Writer
$1.5 Million
