Richard Hake


Richard Hake was a journalist and reporter for WNYC, where he was one of the hosts of the weekly morning program, Morning Edition.

Biography

Richard Scott Hake was born in the Bronx on January 4, 1969 to Richard James Hake, a New York City police detective, and Joy Mekland, a clerical worker and secretary. Hake had two brothers and one sister. He graduated from Carmel High School in 1987, then from Fordham University in 1991, and began working at NPR in 1991 while still at Fordham. He became the News Host and Reporter at WNYC in 1992. He spent 28 years working as a radio news host, reporter, and producer. He was openly gay.
He spent 30 years working as a radio news host, reporter, and producer. He was featured on several local and national NPR programs, such as Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, All Things Considered, and On the Media. He also broadcast on MTV, the BBC, WCBS, WBGO, WOR, and WFUV Radio. Hake hosted for MTV's Logo Network's The Advocate News magazine program. His documentary work includes "The Perfume of the Bronx" and the "Coney Island Cyclone Anniversary."
For his reporting, Hake was awarded accolades from The Associated Press Broadcasters Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Hake made his Broadway debut as a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins.
Hake died on April 24, 2020, at age 51, in his Upper East Side home. His manner of death was ruled to be a result of an accident, according to the City's Medical Examiner.