R.I.P. Beloved, Longtime Orlando Morning Host Scott McKenzie

Scott McKenzie

Scott McKenzie, who brightened Central Florida mornings and bolstered local charities for nearly 25 years, died Tuesday after a seven-year battle with cancer.

He was 59, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

McKenzie had been a fixture at CBS Radio's HotAC WOMX Mix 105.1 FM with Erica Lee and later with Dana Taylor and Jay Edwards. McKenzie marked 24 years at the station in January with a new, multiyear contract.

In recent years, he had told listeners about his three battles against non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He revealed just this past Friday that he was talking to hospice.

"Scott is the epitome of an iconic radio personality who embraced his community and vice versa," said CBS Radio News correspondent Peter King. "A great talent, a great person who has enriched so many lives through good deeds and yes, laughter."

McKenzie arrived in Central Florida in 1991, after working in radio in Tallahassee; Columbus, Ohio; and Boston. He was born in Columbus, grew up in the suburb of Bexley, and knew by age 12 that he wanted to be in radio. He graduated from Ohio University, which he attended for the broadcast program.

He was born Scott Friedman and later became Scott McKenzie.


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