Beloved Houston News Anchor Dies, Fans Say ‘He Was A Core Memory Of My Childhood’

HOUSTON, TX — José Griñán, a veteran Houston news anchor who spent three decades with FOX 26, has died at age 72, the station announced.

Griñán joined the station in 1993 and became a familiar face to generations of viewers. FOX 26 called him a journalist who "left an indelible mark on the city and on its broadcasting landscape."

During his career in Houston, Griñán covered thousands of stories, from breaking news to human interest features, with what the station described as "his signature style that made him a household name."

Before joining FOX 26, Griñán’s career spanned several major cities, including Tampa, Miami, New York, and Dallas. He began as a cinematographer filming documentaries for the U.S. Army before landing his first anchor job in El Paso in 1975.

He was among the first reporters to arrive during the Branch Davidian siege in Waco in the early 1990s and also covered natural disasters and other high-profile news events. FOX 26 described his work as consistently professional and full of grace.

Griñán retired from the anchor desk in 2023.

His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes online, with viewers remembering him as a comforting presence and local legend.

Viewers and fans react

"I enjoyed hundreds of his broadcasts over the years," one Reddit user wrote. "A great Houstonian. RIP José."

Another recalled: "He was a regular part of my morning routine as I watched FOX 26 while getting ready for school, back when people still watched broadcast TV."

"He was classy" someone else posted simply.

One viewer reflected on Griñán’s perseverance: "After his stroke, no one knew if he was going to be good again and he came back better! He was all about Houston."

"Waking up to hear Jose’s and Melissa’s voice every day will always be a core memory of my childhood," wrote another.

"He was a good egg," one tribute read. And another summed it up in just a few words: "Rest easy, sir."