95 years ago today, legendary KLTV 7 personality “Kip” Kippenbrock was born in Austin, Texas. He passed away in 2010, but is still beloved in East Texas.

I am astonished by the impact he made during his tenure at KLTV. When I talk to long-time viewers around East Texas, they are all too eager to share memories of watching Kip! To this day, he is undoubtedly one of the most beloved personalities in our 75-year history.

According to the KLTV archives, Kippenbrock started here on December 4, 1954, less than two months after the station’s opening.

First anchoring the noon news, the University of Texas graduate ended up doing the weather, commercials, hosting a quiz show and commentating on the live wrestling show that aired on KLTV as well. Kippenbrock showcased local talent and celebrities on his show, “Look Who’s Here,” and would also report on the scene every year at the Rose Festival.

“I was fast and loud,” Kip said in an interview, “and I was blessed to be a quick study. Since we didn’t have teleprompters, you either made big cheat cards or memorized it, and I could memorize. But if you asked me two days later about anything I said, I wouldn’t have a clue! In those days, it was black and white, no teleprompters, and no tape. But I’d have to say, in ’54, it was a lot of fun.”

He left KLTV after 17 years in 1971 to move to Dallas with his wife.

Kippenbrock also served in World War II and the Korean War as an Air Force photographer, according to his obituary.

So today, on what would have been his 95th birthday, we honor the legacy of KLTV’s first anchorman, James H. “Kip” Kippenbrock.

The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of KLTV/KTRE-TV or Gray Television. They are solely the opinion of the author. All content © Copyright 2024 Lane Luckie