4-10-2026 4:26am

Marty Says Goodbye

Maryland TV Icon Marty Bass to Retire After Nearly 50 Years

Marty Bass, a longtime Baltimore broadcasting staple and familiar face on WJZ, has announced he will retire at the end of May, capping off a career that began in television nearly five decades ago.

Bass, who has been a fixture on WJZ since 1977, shared that his retirement will come shortly after his 73rd birthday. Some more of his local history can be seen below, courtesy of CBS News.

For many viewers, Bass became synonymous with mornings in Baltimore. Before his current role on WJZ at 9, he was part of the well-known morning duo alongside Linh Bui, helping generations of viewers start their day. His energetic personality and unique take on everyday stories made him a standout presence on local television.

Beyond the morning desk, Bass also became a trusted voice for weather, delivering noon forecasts and helping residents prepare for the day ahead.

His path to broadcasting started early. Growing up in the Louisville, Kentucky area, Bass worked part-time as a disc jockey while still in high school. He later graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a degree in radio and television before entering the industry full-time.

Bass initially worked in radio, but mentors encouraged him to transition to television, a move that ultimately shaped his career. After working in several markets east of the Mississippi River, he joined WJZ in 1977, where he would remain for decades.

During his time at the station, Bass helped pioneer early morning television news in Baltimore, anchoring one of the city’s first early morning newscasts.

He also shares a unique piece of broadcasting history. Early in his career at WJZ, Bass co-anchored alongside a then-rising journalist who would go on to become a household name: Oprah Winfrey.

With his retirement, Bass leaves behind a legacy as one of Baltimore’s most recognizable and enduring television personalities.