Because of the length of his career, the duration of his newscasts, and breaking news events, Kent Shocknek (born December 2, 1956) is believed to have logged more hours anchoring news than anyone else in Los Angeles. The city has designated a day in his honor (below). Before anchoring prime-time newscasts on CBS-TV owned stations CBS2 and KCAL9, he was Southern California's first and longest-running television news morning news anchor. He also has appeared in dozens of feature films and television dramas, typically as a newscaster. On radio, Shocknek has narrated a daily commentary in Los Angeles, and has hosted a nationally syndicated entertainment program. Magazine readers may recognize him as an author of automotive articles.
An avowed fan of James Bond movies, Shocknek's first non-news role was as an extra, playing a fisherman in the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf scene of the 1985 007 film, "A View to a Kill." (Now) producer Barbara Broccoli recognized him near the filming site, and invited him to be part of the background action.
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Named one of L.A.'s top three anchors by L.A. Confidential magazine, Shocknek anchored the news at the CBS-owned television stations CBS2-TV and KCAL9 in L.A.'s Studio City from 2001 to 2014. Previously, he anchored and reported at cross-town rival KNBC-TV in Burbank.
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An early concept for Shocknek's first starring role, in "The Six O'Clock," called for his character to be a possible murderer. The screenwriter opted instead for the profession in the final version, calling it a "better fit.".
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On January 10, 2014, the City of Los Angeles officially proclaimed "Kent Shocknek Day," in honor of his decades of dedicated service.
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Because of the length of his career, the duration of his newscasts, and breaking news events, Shocknek is believed to have logged more hours anchoring news than anyone else in Los Angeles.
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Shocknek was the original anchor of the first early-morning newscast in Los Angeles, KNBC's "Today in L.A.," starting in 1986. He continued anchoring morning newscasts at KNBC, then at L.A.'s "CBS2 News" without pause until late 2013, before moving to prime-time newscasts on Los Angeles' CBS TV-owned "KCAL9 News at 8 and 10 PM.".
$400,000
