Kopi Sotiropulos, the decades-tenured anchor on KMPH FOX26, announced Wednesday he is retiring.

Sotiropulos made the announcement during the 9 a.m. broadcast of “Great Day.”

“After all these years, it’s time to take a break. This has been a great run. I’ve been thrilled to work here at Channel 26. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people over the years, and you know, it comes a time in your life when you say, hey, I got to move on,” Sotiropulos said during the 9 a.m. broadcast.

Fellow anchors Liz Gonzalez and Karl Cooke thanked Sotiropulos, praising him for his legacy.

“You’re very kind. The check’s in the mail,” Sotiropulos said, showing his trademark humor.

KMPH News Director Jim Jakobs also praised Sotiropulos.

“The word legend does not even begin to describe what Kopi has meant to KMPH FOX26 all these years. He has impacted multiple generations of people throughout the Valley in so many positive ways. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten,” Jakobs said.

Viewers reacted on social media. Amy Molina posted video of the announcement on Facebook, saying, “We will miss you. Enjoy your retirement.”

Sotiropulos One of KMPH’s First Employees

One of the station’s first employees in 1971, Sotiropulos held several roles, most notably weather anchor on the station’s evening and morning newscasts.

Known for his infectious personality, versatility and sense of fashion, Sotiropulos started at the station shortly after KMPH signed on as an independent station based in Visalia.

He began as a copywriter — writing, producing and starring in commercials. He also hosted the weekday movie program “Dialing for Dollars,” where viewers called in for a chance to win a jackpot.

Sotiropulos left TV for Hollywood in 1977, finding work in several films, including “Beverly Hills Cop II,” where he played a bartender, and “The Postman Always Rings Twice” starring Jack Nicholson. He also made guest performances on shows such as “The Incredible Hulk,” “Three’s Company,” “The New Mike Hammer,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Highway To Heaven,” “Soap,” “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives,” “The Hardy Boys,” and “Knight Rider.”

During that time, he started his own commercial production company.

Sotiropulos returned to TV news at KMPH in 1992, delivering the weather on the “10 O’Clock News.” In 2003, he started on the morning newscasts, where he’s been since.

In 2022, Sotiropulos reduced his schedule and no longer appeared daily on “Great Day.”

Opa! A Greek Fest Advocate

Born in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece, Kopi and his family moved to Fresno when he was three. He attended Fremont Elementary School, where he learned English. He later went to Hamilton Junior High, Fresno High, Fresno City College and San Francisco State.

Advocating for Greek Fest, the annual late-summer ritual at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, is one of Sotiropulos’ trademarks.

Peter Vallis, Greek Fest chair, expects Sotiropulos to continue helping with the event. He said people come, especially to see Kopi.

“Let’s be honest, Kopi is the most beloved Fresnan of his generation,” Vallis said. “Kopi has taken that mantle both for the Greek community, for KMPH and really for the entire city. He’s been a mascot.”

Vallis said Sotiropulos will be known “as the biggest Greek in town.”

“He is a walking, talking billboard all year long. And that can’t be replicated. There’s just not another Kopi,” Vallis said.