Jim Vargas, a respected ABC presenter, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed he passed away on January 14. The cause of death has not been shared.
Vargas spent more than 40 years in journalism and became best known for his long service at ABC7. For around two decades, he reported on politics and major public issues, earning trust for his clear, steady, and fair reporting.
During his career, Vargas received top industry honors. In 1974, he won an Emmy Award for coverage of the Patty Hearst kidnapping. He was also part of a reporting team that received a Peabody Award for coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Earlier in his career, he also worked at KRON and KTVU.
Vargas retired from broadcasting in 2011. He was later inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, recognizing his long and dedicated service to television news.
After his death, colleagues and friends shared heartfelt tributes. Many described him as reliable, professional, and kind. They also remembered his dry sense of humor and his willingness to support others in the newsroom. His legacy lives on through the standards he set and the stories he told.