Rest in Peace

On a personal note, I remember legendary reporter Steve Dunleavy, who died at his Long Island home aged 81.

Sydney-born Dunleavy was a hard drinking, heavy smoking conservative columnist for Rupert Murdoch‘s New York Post, famed as a door-kicking reporter who introduced the U.S. to tabloid TV with the show, A Current Affair.

He was just as well known for his rakish charisma and instantly recognizable bouffant silver hair.

I appeared on many Fox News Channel TV shows with Steve, who I first met in 1978 when I was a gossip columnist on Murdoch’s Star, having just moved to the Big Apple from the London Daily Mail after covering Queen Elizabeth‘s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

He was also the inspiration for Robert Downey Jr‘s tabloid TV journalist in Natural Born Killers, Oliver Stone‘s 1994 film.

An enormous character and excellent journalist, I was honored to have worked with him.

Sightings: Ralph Lauren Polo model Nacho Figueras and wife Delfina at the SB Polo Club… Comedian Steve Martin returning to the Magic Castle after forgetting to pay his drinks bill… Oscar winner Kevin Costner noshing at the Nugget in Summerland

Pip! Pip!