Bernard “Bernie” McGuirk, a conservative radio talk show personality, died Wednesday at 64 following a battle with prostate cancer, his network said early Thursday.
McGuirk co-hosted WABC’s “Bernie and Sid in the Morning” with co-host Sid Rosenberg and previously worked as a personality and executive producer for the late Don Imus on his show, “Imus in the Morning,” according to a statement from the station. On October 11, the network will carry a special homage to McGuirk.
The president of WABC’s parent business, Red Apple Media, Chad Lopez, revealed McGuirk’s death on the air Thursday morning.
“Bernard McGuirk, husband, father and our friend passed away yesterday, Oct. 5th, in the company of his family. Bernie courageously battled cancer for all to see and hear, in a manner inspiring to all of us,” he said.
“He will be missed by all that knew him and listened to him, a true gentleman. He is the fabric of the morning show,” Lopez continued. “He is the morning show and was the backbone of this entire radio station. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McGuirk family, and Tuesday we will have a tribute show honoring the life of Bernard McGuirk.”
According to the network, McGuirk began his radio career in New York City in 1986 after graduating from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. He joined WABC in 2007 to anchor Imus’ show before starting his current program in 2018. After Red Apple Media bought the network in March 2020, his most recent broadcast became the top-rated morning show in New York.
According to the Post, McGuirk, a former President Donald Trump supporter, was on the radio with Rosenberg, a supporter of Hillary Clinton, during the 2016 election campaign. When the two began co-hosting a program in 2018, Trump was one of their first guests. The late host has appeared on Fox News on occasion.
According to the network, McGuirk is survived by his wife, Carol, and their two children, Brendan and Melanie.