Last Updated on: 10th May 2025, 12:33 pm
Ric Romero is a retired L.A. TV news, journalist best known for his 25-year tenure at KABC-TV (ABC7) in Los Angeles, where he served as a consumer affairs reporter and became a familiar face to Southern California viewers.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Romero graduated from San José State University with a degree in Broadcasting and Business, along with a minor in Theatre Arts. Before entering journalism, he was one of the first male flight attendants hired by Pan American Airlines in 1972, based in London. He described the experience as “an experience we’ll never forget” .(clippercrew.com)
Romero began his broadcasting career in 1977 as a studio cameraman at KNTV-TV in San Jose. His first on-camera role came in 1982 as the host of PM Magazine at KUTV in Salt Lake City. He later worked as an investigative reporter at KPNX-TV in Phoenix before joining KABC in 1989 .(Media Moves)
At ABC7, Romero held various positions, including general assignment reporter, Orange County bureau chief, weekend anchor, travel reporter, and ultimately consumer affairs reporter. He covered major events such as the Northridge Earthquake, the Los Angeles Riots, and the O.J. Simpson slow-speed chase. Romero was also among the first TV reporters to report live from the Consumer Electronics Show, showcasing the latest gadgets .
His consumer reporting often focused on technology and the Internet, explaining complex topics in simple terms for viewers. This approach led to internet notoriety when his article about blogging, posted years after blogs became popular, became a meme on the website Fark. Romero embraced the attention, even encouraging donations to the Spark of Love Toy Drive through his newfound online following .
Romero retired from ABC7 on November 25, 2015, after a 25-year career with the station. Colleagues praised his ability to present complex stories in an accessible manner, a skill influenced by his background in business and theater arts .