The guy that helped bring tabloid TV to the United States has passed away.

Ian G. Rae, a News Corp. executive for 43 years and a pioneer of tabloid television, died at his home in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 78.

Rae rose through the ranks of the media company as a reporter, correspondent, editor and TV producer. He was editor of Star magazine from 1977 until 1986, and went on to become the founding executive producer of the Fox syndicated news program “A Current Affair” — a landmark in American broadcast television that spawned many imitators, including “Hard Copy” and “Inside Edition.”

Afterward, Rae went on to become one of the first senior producers at Fox News Channel and eventually launched his own media-consulting company and developed TV specials after retiring from News Corp. in 2002.

“Ian was a lifelong friend, an outstanding journalist and an invaluable contributor over many years to our companies,” said News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch. “I will always be grateful to him.”

H/T NY Post