Philly area TV, radio icon Sally Starr dies at 90

Legendary Philadelphia-area TV and radio host Sally Starr has died at a nursing home in New Jersey.

WPVI-TV, where Starr had worked, said Starr died Sunday, just days after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Starr, whose real name was Sally E. Gray, had been in failing health.

Affectionately known as “Our Gal Sal,” Starr began her decades-long career as a disc jockey in 1948. She became host of “Popeye Theater” two years later on the former WFIL-TV, now WPVI. On the two-hour weekday program, Starr introduced cartoons and celebrity guests to a generation of young people. She was recognized for her trademark spangled, fringed cowgirl costume. The program was canceled in 1972.

Starr later earned a living from personal appearances and selling airtime on her WVLT radio program “High Noon.”