Huell Howser, Popular California TV Host, Dead at 67

Huell Howser, the popular, folksy California public television host who recently announced his retirement, died Sunday night at age 67.

Howser hosted several travelogue series about points of interest in the Golden State, most recently California's Gold. He displayed "an awestruck curiosity and relentless enthusiasm," notes the Los Angeles Times, and his gee-whiz style made him both a target of parodists and a favorite of viewers. In the past, some media reports have alluded to Howser being gay, but that has never been confirmed.

An assistant of Howser's announced his death; no other details were released, the Times reports. Howser had announced his retirement November 27.

"Huell was able to brilliantly capture the wonder in obscurity," Al Jerome, president and chief executive of Los Angeles public TV station KCET, told the Times. "From pastrami sandwiches and scarves loomed from lint to the exoticism of cactus gardens and the splendor of Yosemite, he brought us the magic, the humor and poignancy of our region. We will miss him very much."