Remembering Ed Hopkins
• We were saddened to learn that radio veteran and voiceover pro Ed Hopkins passed away on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 in West Hills, CA. A post from Cope Management notes that Hopkins was the agency’s first signed talent. He was a beloved family man and friend to many.
Hopkins broke into radio while still a junior in high school, doing afternoon drive at daytimer KFDF-AM/Van Buren, AR. Following graduation, Hopkins moved to Dallas to attend SMU and worked at the campus station, KMUS under PD Lee Michaels, while also doing weekends on KLIF (The Mighty 1190). He later moved over to KNUS where he worked exclusively for talk host (and future The Price is Right announcer) Rod Roddy.
Hopkins’ radio career also took him to KISR/Ft. Smith and KLAZ/Little Rock in his home state of Arkansas. He also did several tours of duty in Tulsa at KWEN, KRAV and KAYI (K107), and made it to Chicago, where he worked at WMET and WFYR. Hopkins later made the full-time jump to voiceover work and became the voice of countless radio and TV stations across America, including KRTH (K-Earth 101) and NBC4/Los Angeles. He also did long-form narration and animation work.
Hopkins leaves behind his wife, Cyndy, son Jason, 48, daughter Olivia, 14, his granddaughter Paige and grandson Reid.
For those who considered Ed Hopkins a friend (and there were many), a celebration of his life will be held in two locations: Los Angeles, where his immediate family lives, and the other in Tulsa, OK, where many of Ed’s family members reside, along with friends, former classmates and associates. The California service will take place this Friday, September 27 at 6:30pm at the 94th Aero Squadron, 16320 Raymer St., Van Nuys, CA 91406. The service will be highlighted by a special aerial tribute by the Condor Squadron, flying the “missing man” formation. Reception to follow. The Oklahoma service is scheduled for this Sunday, September 29 at 4pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6767 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74133. [Special thanks to Duncan Payton, who posted his own heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and mentor]
