Anecdotes

For many years, Putnam could be seen in the Southern California Parade of roses, atop his trusty steed. Well known for his classic sign off on the 5 o'clock news: "See you at ten... see you then!".

Ted Knight stated that Putnam served in part as a model for the character anchorman Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970).

Radio talk show host.

Met first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Was a life-long conservative Democrat.

Worked in the Los Angeles radio scene from 1951 until shortly before his death.

Walter Winchell called his voice the greatest in radio and television.

Putnam's distinctive delivery was parodied with the character newsman "Joe Putzman" in the sci-fi/horror spoof Schlock, le tueur à la banane...! (1973).

His appearance as the commentator in Perversion for Profit (1965) has made him something of a cult figure. The self-righteous and unintentionally funny short about the evils of adult publications became available on the Prelinger Archive website in the early 2000s, introducing Putnam to a whole new generation of viewers.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6374 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 21, 1982.