Dan McLean, longtime CHCH news anchor, dies at 78

Face and voice of Hamilton news station was named that city's citizen of the year in 2001

Published Apr 28, 2026  •  1 minute read

Longtime CHCH News anchor Dan McLean has passed away at 78. Photo by CHCH

Hamilton’s iconic anchorman Dan McLean, who served as the face and voice of CHCH News for nearly 40 years, has died at 78, the station reported. McLean’s family confirmed to the broadcaster that he passed away.

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For those who grew up in Hamilton, Halton and Niagara, McLean was the trusted name for local news during his midday broadcasts and nightly news updates. He was famous for his baritone voice, sharp style, passion for his community and for developing up-and-coming local talent.

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Storied career

McLean started his broadcast news career with a part-time radio position in Welland at just 15 years old. He continued to work around Ontario and for a while in Saskatchewan before returning to Ontario again and eventually joining CHCH, where he would work for 37 years, leading on-air midday talks and anchoring the news until stepping away from the broadcaster in December of 2008.

McLean was also known for his sense of style, always sporting an impeccable on-air look with elegant suits and no hair out of place. One social media commenter said, “Rest in peace Dan. He brought professionalism & heart to his newscasts. I remember 32 years ago my Grandma bought my dad a watch for his 50th birthday, she said ‘it’s exactly like Dan’s watch that he wears on tv’ Hamilton will remember him fondly!”

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A man who gave back

McLean was dedicated to Hamilton, as part of a team at CHCH that raised millions for the McMaster Children’s Hospital and other charities. He was honoured with a number of awards for his professional and personal work, which included a Queen’s Jubilee Medal and an RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award. McLean was named Hamilton’s Citizen of the Year in 2001, the one McLean said he was most proud of.

“It has always been my belief that you should give what you get and this community has been exceptional to me and my family and I’m very appreciative of that,” McLean said during his final broadcast.

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