In the 1980s, after exploring dreams of becoming an actor or poet, I set my sights on a specific goal: becoming a staff writer for the LA Weekly. Growing up with the Los Angeles Times instilled in me the belief that journalism was a service, not an art, and that journalists were to be read, not heard. The LA Weekly,which I discovered during my undergraduate years at UCLA,shattered those notions. I was captivated by its seamless blend of newspaper conventions with narrative and personal experience. Its writers illuminated so much about a city I thought I knew, striving to make sense of the world at large. The Weekly‘s diverse voices became my guiding stars. I felt a connection to the people behind the bylines, even though we had never met.
Marc Haefele, who passed away on November 11 at the age of 82, was one of those bylines I was lucky enough to meet in person after joining the staff in 1997. We clicked instantly. Marc was the quintessential alternative newspaper writer, a seeker who came of age in the 1960s, a humanist by nature, yet also an iconoclast who frequently enough challenged the status quo. Marc possessed an immense curiosity and an eclectic resume that allowed him to write with authority and eloquence on a wide range of topics,from Los Angeles politics to Renaissance art. He embodied the archetype of the New Journalist — burly,with a bushy beard and a gruff,commanding voice,yet also kind and thoughtful.
“He was a larger-than-life figure who could have been a character actor, though I think that’s the one job he didn’t do,” I recall.He initially intimidated me. I had arrived at the paper after covering struggling Black communities in the aftermath of the 1992 civil unrest — important work, to be sure, but grounded in reality. my journalistic scope felt limited. I wasn’t sure how to expand it, or even if it was a good idea.
But marc embraced me as a fellow traveler, a fully formed journalist/seeker on the same quest to understand and deconstruct Los Angeles and the rest of humanity through my unique lens.The lens itself wasn’t as important as the passion to seek, explore, figure things out, and, of course, to put it all into words. I learned a great deal from our conversations and his constant musings on art and music, from classical to classic rock. I was fascinated by the stories about his nomadic life and remarkable work history, which took him from Montana to new York to Los Angeles. I expanded my own journalistic vision by listening to the many story ideas he was refining at any given time and often sought my input on. We were friends, and at least as important to me, colleagues.
As impressive as Marc’s breadth of knowledge and experience was, his sense of humor stood out. His dry, witty observations and hilarious one-liners were legendary. Nothing and no one was sacred to him. He loved holding court in his backyard during his annual birthday gatherings, entertaining guests with anecdotes and riffing on current events. Once, during a morning radio show on Pacifica that we co-hosted for a time in the early 2000s, he followed a news segment about Jesse Helms with a spot-on impersonation of the north Carolina senator.
“Irreverent as he could be, Marc was equally devoted to the things that mattered to him,” I remember. It surprised me to learn he was an Episcopalian — I didn’t take him for religious, I guess because of his counterculture leanings. But his faith,I came to realize,was a reflection of his love of possibility and enhancement,an affirmation of a great optimism that was at the heart of his writing and the heart of who he was.
During the COVID pandemic, we began meeting regularly for lunch in Inglewood, where I live and where he attended church. Sometimes I was disheartened about a whole host of things — the pandemic, the state of politics, the lack of meaningful work and professional validation that was becoming more elusive as journalism teetered on the brink of collapse and papers like the Weekly were disappearing.
marc commiserated, but never shared my despair. There were always good stories to pursue, editors to pitch, passions to ignite. He reminded me that the essence of journalism, the pursuit of truth and the power of storytelling, transcended the challenges of the industry. His unwavering optimism was contagious, a testament to his enduring belief in the importance of our craft.
The world of journalism lost a true believer recently. Marc Cooper, a veteran journalist and passionate advocate for social justice, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering faith in the power of words.
I had the privilege of knowing Marc,and his infectious enthusiasm for storytelling was truly inspiring. He possessed an uncanny ability to find hope and meaning even in the darkest of times. “He could have written a million stories,” I recall thinking as he shared his latest ideas with me. Each one held the potential to illuminate a corner of the world and spark meaningful change.
“Marc’s own view of himself as a vital force in the persuasion business never dimmed,” even as illness took its toll. He never lost sight of his purpose, his belief that his work could contribute to a better future.
His passing leaves a void, a sense that the world has lost a powerful voice for truth and justice. But Marc’s spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched and the stories he brought to light. He taught me, and many others, that faith in the power of words is essential for any writer, journalist, or poet.
“Thanks to Marc, I did,” claim that faith.
Copyright 2024 Capital & Main
## world Today News: Remembering Marc Haefele, Los Angeles Icon and Literary Renegade
**In a heartfelt interview, seasoned journalist [YOUR NAME] reflects on the indelible mark Marc Haefele, a legendary writer for the *Los Angeles weekly*, left on his life and career.**
**[YOUR NAME], Senior Editor at World Today News, thanks for joining us.**
Thank you for having me.
**marc Haefele was a true Los Angeles institution. He passed away recently at 82. can you tell us about your relationship with him and what made him such a unique figure**
Marc was more than just a colleague; he was a mentor and a friend. When I first started at the *LA Weekly* in 1997, I was frankly intimidated by him. He was this larger-than-life figure, a true embodiment of the New Journalist archetype: burly, bearded, with a commanding voice.
But beneath that gruff exterior was a humanist, an iconoclast, and a deeply thoughtful individual. He embraced me as a fellow traveler on the quest to understand and deconstruct Los Angeles and the world through writing.
**You mentioned that Marc had an eclectic resume. Can you elaborate on that?**
He did! Marc’s life was a testament to his insatiable curiosity. He’d traveled the world, worked diverse jobs, from Montana to New York to Los Angeles. He explored everything from Renaissance art to Los Angeles politics with the same passion and depth. This wealth of experience allowed him to write with authority and eloquence on a vast range of topics.
**What was it like brainstorming with Marc? Did he have a particular style?**
Conversations with Marc were always enlightening. He was constantly refining story ideas and loved bouncing them off of others. His humor was legendary – dry, witty, and frequently enough surprisingly hilarious. Nothing and no one was sacred to him. He loved to hold court and share his observations on the world.
**What do you think is Marc’s greatest legacy?**
Marc’s legacy is multifaceted. He leaves behind a vast body of work that captures the essence of Los Angeles and reflects his unique worldview. More importantly, he inspired countless writers, including myself, to embrace curiosity, explore new perspectives, and never stop seeking truth and understanding.
**Thank you for sharing your memories of Marc. It’s clear he was a truly remarkable individual who will be deeply missed.**
It was my pleasure. Marc’s spirit and his words will continue to resonate with me and many others for years to come.