Latest news with #TheBaronandhisBuddies
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Syracuse TV Icon Mike Price Dies at 87
Legendary Central New York anchor Mike Price has died. He was 87. Price retired from Syracuse ABC affiliate WSYR on July 9, 2008, after a 46-year career at the station. He joined what was then WNYS-TV, as a staff announcer on September 2, 1962, a week before the station signed on for the first time. A few months in, he debuted the character Baron Daemon, which the station said would define him for the rest of his life. The bumbling vampire launched as host of late-night movies on the weekends, but parents complained their children wouldn't go to bed for fear of missing the fun. The station quickly added an afternoon kids show, "The Baron and his Buddies." "Baron and His Buddies" was a cartoon show on weekday afternoons that aired from 1962 until 1967. His buddies included a live studio audience of children, totaling thousands over the years, many of whom remember the experience as adults. In the later decades of his career, Price brought the "good news" to Central New York. His segment closed NewsChannel 9 broadcasts for years, focusing on the light-hearted, happy stories around the community, often with visits to local schools. On the occasion of his retirement in 2008, Price said, "I think I've contributed something to our community… I feel pretty good about that. It makes me feel great and it's very gratifying when people will come up to me almost every day and say, 'Oh, we love what you do!'" WSYR When he was in his mid-fifties, Price was called to active duty to serve during the Gulf War in 1991. He'd been in the Coast Guard Reserves for 30 years, retiring as a chief petty his deployment, Price produced an award-winning documentary called "Into the Gulf."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Known for ‘Baron Daemon' and ‘Good News,' local TV icon Mike Price dies at age 87
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Mike Price, an icon of Central New York broadcasting, has died at the age of 87. Price retired from NewsChannel 9 on July 9, 2008, after a 46-year career at WNYS-TV/WIXT-TV/WSYR-TV. Mike Price joined Syracuse's 'Colorful Channel 9,' then WNYS-TV, as a staff announcer on September 2, 1962, a week before the station signed on for the first time. Only a few months into his tenure, he debuted the character of Baron Daemon, which would define him for the rest of his life. The bumbling vampire launched as host of late-night movies on the weekends, but parents complained their children wouldn't go to bed for fear of missing the fun. The station quickly added an afternoon kids show, 'The Baron and his Buddies.' 'Baron and His Buddies' was a cartoon show on weekday afternoons that aired from 1962 until 1967. His buddies included a live studio audience of children, totaling thousands over the years, many of whom remember the experience as adults. In the later decades of his career, Price brought the 'good news' to Central New York. His segment closed NewsChannel 9 broadcasts for years, focusing on the light-hearted, happy stories around the community, often with visits to local schools. On the occasion of his retirement in 2008, Price said, 'I think I've contributed something to our community… I feel pretty good about that. It makes me feel great and it's very gratifying when people will come up to me almost every day and say, 'Oh, we love what you do!'' 'Mike's been a friendly face as long as most of us can remember,' said NewsChannel 9's Tim Fox when Price left the station. 'He is one of Central New York's busiest volunteers, emcees, public speakers. He's worked telethons, parades and of course, the Great New York State Fair and he's done it all with a smile.' In 1991, in his mid-50s, Price was called up to active duty to serve in the Gulf War. Price had served in the Coast Guard Reserves for 30 years, retiring as a chief petty officer. After his deployment, Price produced an award-winning documentary called 'Into the Gulf.' Mike grew up in Syracuse and Utica, attended Syracuse University and the Academy of Broadcasting Arts in New York City. He spent a season playing freshman football for SU, scrimmaging Ernie Davis and the '59 National Championship. After school, Mike launched his broadcast career at WSOQ Radio in North Syracuse. He's received the Syracuse Press Club's highest honors, including a plaque on the SPC Wall of Distinction displayed at the Onondaga County Civic Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
