| Charles Hillinger | |
| Birth Date: | April 1, 1926 |
| Birth Place: | Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Death Date: | April 28, 2008 |
| Death Place: | Rancho Palos Verdes, California, U.S. |
| Education: | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation: | Journalist |
| Spouse: | Arliene Hillinger |
| Children: | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Charles Hillinger (April 1, 1926 – April 28, 2008) was an American journalist. He wrote for the Los Angeles Times from 1946 to 1992, initially as a reporter, and eventually as a feature writer and a columnist. He authored several books, including California Characters: An Array of Amazing People, a collection of his columns.
Hillinger was born on April 1, 1926, in Evanston, Illinois.[1] He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science.[1]
Hillinger joined Los Angeles Times in 1946.[2] He initially worked in its editorial library, and he later became a reporter.[2] He penned a column called Charles Hillinger's California from 1985 to 1991.[2] During that time, he wrote feature articles about individuals all over the country, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.[1] He retired in 1992.[2]
Hillinger was honored with an NAACP Image Award in 1980.[3] He authored three books and edited a fourth book about the Bel Air Country Club.[3] His 2000 book, California Characters: An Array of Amazing People, was a collection of some of his columns.[4] For Jonathan Kirsch, "Hillinger's book is never a freak show, and more often than not the profiles are little morality plays."[4]
With his wife Arliene, Hillinger had a son, Brad, and a daughter, Tori Lindman.[1] He died on April 28, 2008, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.[1] His funeral was held at the Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Rolling Hills Estates, California.[1]