Noble is best known for hosting WABC-TV’s Like It Is, a weekly public affairs program that focused on issues affecting the African-American community. Over his four decades as producer Noble became an immeasurable force in Black media. He interviewed thousands of influential guests including Dr. Martin Luther King, Bob Marley, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Nelson Mandela. A former news anchor, he also produced documentaries — his most notable being The Tallest Tree in Our Forest, the first documentary ever made about Paul Robeson.
“Gil Noble’s life and work had a profound effect on our society and culture,” said WABC-TV New York President and General Manager Dave Davis. “His contributions are a part of history and will be remembered for years to come. Today, our hearts are with Gil’s family his wife Jean and their five children and we thank them for so lovingly sharing him with the world all these years.”
Noble recently suffered a debilitating stroke in July 2011. His family, according to WABC-TV, has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gil Noble Archives, P.O. Box 43138, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043.