The Philadelphia Inquirer recently asked its readers which local icons had a 2022 that felt “so distinctly Philly?”
Over 79,000 people decided that now retired WPVI anchor Jim Gardner was the city celebrity that fit that description. Gardner beat out people like Quinta Brunson who created and stars in Abbott Elementary on ABC and Miles Teller who starred in the Top Gun sequel Maverick.
From The Inquirer (subscription site):
The now-retired 6ABC anchor secured just over 42% of the votes in his category, making him as iconic as the ActionNews theme song. Close behind was Abbott Elementary star and creator Quinta Brunson, whose based-in-Philly workplace comedy just scored big at the Golden Globes.
Miles Teller (and his mustache) placed third, followed by comedian Abbi Jacobson and rapper Tierra Whack.
Gardner retired from WPVI in December after 44 years at the station.