Democracy Dies in Darkness

Connie Martinson, who interviewed thousands of authors on TV, dies at 90

Ms. Martinson self-funded her cable and public television show. Guests included Gore Vidal, Joyce Carol Oates, Norman Mailer, Maya Angelou and Rosa Parks.

Connie Martinson at the grand opening of the Santa Monica Public Library in 2005. (Alberto Rodriguez/BerlinerStudio/BEI/Shutterstock)
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Connie Martinson, whose interviews with Gore Vidal, Joyce Carol Oates, Norman Mailer and thousands of other authors appeared weekly on government-access cable and public television outlets around the country for more than 35 years, died March 9 at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was 90.

Her daughter Julianna Carner said the cause was heart disease.