Larry Mantle is an American journalist and radio host for Laist.
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Best Known For:The television program AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Breakthrough:Began his broadcasting career in Southern California radio in 1980
10 Quick Facts About Larry Mantle
- Full Name: Larry Mantle
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Journalist
- Current Role: Radio host
- Current Employer: Laist
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles County, California
- Birth Year: 1959
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Kristen Mantle
- Children: Desmond Mantle
Larry Mantle Age
Larry Mantle is about 67 years old as of 2026. Larry Mantle was born in 1959.
Education
His educational background includes studies at Vanguard University and Fuller Theological Seminary.
- Vanguard University
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts
- Field of Study: Psychology
- Fuller Theological Seminary
- Field of Study: Theology
- Period: Brief attendance
Career & Work
Larry Mantle's career includes acting and entertainment roles with KPCC / LAist 89.3 and KPRO.
Organization: KPCC / LAist 89.3
Role: AirTalk Creator and Host
Period: 1985–Present
Details: Pasadena, California · Created and hosts the daily public affairs interview and call-in programme, launched April 1, 1985.
Organization: KPRO
Role: News Director
Period: Early 1980s
Details: Riverside, California · Worked in radio news management early in his professional broadcasting career.
Organization: KPCC
Role: News Director
Period: Early career
Details: Pasadena, California
Organization: KPCC / LAist 89.3
Role: FilmWeek Host
Period: Current
Details: Southern California · Hosts a film review and interview programme featuring critics and filmmakers.
Rise to Fame
Larry Mantle rose to prominence for his role for the book This Is AirTalk: 20 Years of Conversations on 89.3 KPCC.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes This Is AirTalk: 20 Years of Conversations on 89.3 KPCC, AirTalk Podcast, and FilmWeek Podcast.
Books
- Book: This Is AirTalk: 20 Years of Conversations on 89.3 KPCC (Author and Interviewer, 2005) — Collection of 21 interviews from the first two decades of AirTalk, published by Angel City Press
Podcasts
- Podcast: AirTalk Podcast (Host) — Podcast distribution of the daily public radio programme
- Podcast: FilmWeek Podcast (Host) — Podcast featuring film reviews and interviews
Notable Coverage
- Southern California politics and civic affairs - LAist 89.3 - Interviews public officials and experts about local and regional government, housing, education and public policy
- California gubernatorial candidates - LAist - 2026 - Conducted interviews with gubernatorial candidates, including Katie Porter, in May 2026
- Los Angeles film and entertainment - LAist 89.3 - Hosts FilmWeek, featuring movie reviews and interviews with filmmakers and entertainment professionals
Awards & Achievements
- Mark Twain Award — Associated Press — 2013 — Broadcast journalism.
- Lifetime Achievement Award — Radio and Television News Association of Southern California — 2019 — Distinguished career in radio broadcasting.
- Golden Mike Awards — Radio and Television News Association of Southern California — Multiple awards recognizing Southern California broadcast journalism.
- Best Public Radio Talk Show — Public Radio News Directors — National recognition for AirTalk.
Larry Mantle Family & Relationships
Larry Mantle is married to Kristen Mantle. He has 1 child, Desmond Mantle.
- Father: John Mantle
- Mother: Carole Hubka
- Children:
- Desmond Mantle
Lesser Known Facts
- He is a fourth-generation Los Angeles resident.
- He briefly attended Fuller Theological Seminary before deciding against a career in ministry.
- He has interviewed figures including Jimmy Carter, Rosa Parks, Steve Martin and other prominent public personalities.
- He emphasizes the contributions of callers as an essential part of AirTalk.
- As a young boy, he enjoyed narrating sporting events while playing.
- He studied psychology before beginning his radio career.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Larry Mantle
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: Journalist
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
Birth & Background
- Birth Year: 1959
- Place of Birth: Los Angeles County, California
Family & Relationships
- Father: John Mantle
- Mother: Carole Hubka
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Kristen Mantle
- Children: Desmond Mantle
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $65,000–$282,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $372,000–$5,307,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Kristen Mantle (Spouse • Wife of Larry Mantle.)
- Desmond Mantle (Child • Son of Larry Mantle.)
