Pablo Guzmán, Longtime New York City TV Reporter, Dead at 73
The veteran reporter was known for being "brilliant, tough, with a sensitive side, too," according to his news station, WCBS-TV
Pablo Guzmán, a veteran reporter for CBS affiliate WCBS-TV in New York, died Sunday, according to the news station. He was 73 years old.
“Pablo loved being a journalist, and many would argue he was one of the best street reporters in New York City,” according to a tribute published on WCBS-TV’s website on Monday. “New York City made Pablo Guzmán who he was. He was just like it: Brilliant, tough, with a tender side, too.”
According to NJ.com, Guzmán worked at WNEW-TV Channel 5 between 1984 and 1992, and then later moved on to WNBC-TV before heading over to WCBS-TV. His reporting included coverage of mobster John Gotti and the New York Yankees' World Series victory parades.
"In the early '90s, Nelson Mandela was finally let out of prison, and he came here to speak at the U.N. I got to go to the press conference,” Guzmán once said in a promotional clip for WCBS-TV. “And when it was over, one of the diplomats wanted to talk to me, and my ego was jumping. I went over, and I looked him in the eye. He wanted to talk about John Gotti, and I was like, 'Yo, that's what it's all about.' "
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Guzmán graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1968 and was a student at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, per WCBS-TV. Prior to his journalism career, he was a founding member of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican revolutionary party, in the 1970s.
“He gained extraordinary trust and access to all the players,” WCBS-TV said of his reporting. “Coverage of 9/11 and its aftermath and countless community stories that took him to almost every neighborhood won him legions of fans.”
On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Guzmán’s fellow local New York City-area journalists acknowledged his passing.
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“Pablo Guzmán packed 150 years worth of life into 73,” WCBS-TV reporter Tony Aiello shared. “His reporting pulsed with a vitality earned on the streets of El Barrio. He covered historic events, and with the Young Lords he authored a unique chapter of NYC’s own history. Pablo was the real deal. Rest in peace.”
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“I’m so sorry to hear about Pablo. I enjoyed working with him at Ch 5.He always had a fun story to share. He will be missed #rip #pabloguzman,” wrote WNYW-TV anchor Rosanna Scotto.
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“Pablo Guzmán was an outstanding journalist and always so kind and generous with his knowledge when I would see him out on news stories. Very sad to learn of the news of his passing…sending my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” said WNBC-TV reporter Jen Maxfield.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also paid tribute to Guzmán, sharing on X: “Pablo Guzmán was a son of the Bronx who spoke truth to power and held leaders to account. Our city is a better place because of the work he did and he will be truly missed. Rest in peace.”
WCBS-TV said that Guzmán is survived by his wife and two children.
"Pablo was so original, and is going to be missed," said WCBS-TV anchor Cindy Hsu. "He knew everybody."
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