Coming from a University theater background, Dave Moore considered himself more of a storyteller than a journalist.
The former WCCO-TV anchor died Wednesday after fighting a lengthy illness. He had a heart bypass operation in May.
In addition to anchoring the news for 34 years, Moore also hosted several shows, including a public affairs program and a news show with his personal commentary.
Moore also participated in theater all over the Twin Cities, said Lance Brockman, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.
“You could find his name on the boards of just about any theater,” he said.
Moore also taught a class in the department called “Acting for the Camera” for several years.
“It was his claim to fame that on the second day of class, he knew everybody’s name,” Brockman said. “I haven’t met anybody since who had that ability.”
Moore also acted in the University Theatre play “The Visit” in 1995.
Sherry Wagner, managing director at the theatre, said that Moore was a big hit with the students.
“He was a riot, always cracking everybody up,” she said. “The students just adored him.”
Moore attended the University in the early 1940s. He left for a while before coming back to receive his theater degree a few years later.
Moore also often spoke to University groups at events such as New Student Weekend.
But he was most known for letting his personality show in front of the camera.
Dennis Draghiciu, the last executive producer for “Moore on Sunday,” a weekly public affairs show, said that Moore was a strong journalist.
“He thought, and he would express the opinion, that he wasn’t a newsman; that he was an actor,” he said. “Yet he was every bit a journalist and a newsman.”
Draghiciu said Moore knew what the viewer was feeling when watching a story and would adjust his presentation accordingly.
“The love for this guy; the more I worked here I realized what he meant to people,” Draghiciu said. “He meant everything.”