George J. Cotliar, who guided the Los Angeles Times as managing editor for 19 years and had a distinguished 40-year career with the publication, has died at the age of 94. His daughter, Sharon Cotliar-Zweifach, confirmed that Cotliar passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning at his home in Newport Beach.
Cotliar's daughter described his profound dedication to journalism, stating, "Our dad’s first love was journalism, and as much as he was an incredible, dedicated father, we very much knew we were growing up with a newspaper man." She further emphasized his high standards, noting, "He set the bar high in terms of honesty, integrity and treating people with respect. We understood that’s how he operated — in his work and with his colleagues and with us."
Born in the Bronx to Russian immigrants on January 16, 1932, Cotliar's family relocated to Los Angeles when he was five. After attending local institutions, including Cal State Los Angeles where he earned a journalism degree, Cotliar joined The Times, accepting a pay cut to pursue his lifelong ambition of leading the newspaper, a goal he formed at age 11 while working a newspaper route.
His career at The Times saw him ascend through various roles, starting as a reporter and progressing to editor of the suburban section, copy editor, copy chief, and editor of special sections. He also served in the Metro and National departments and as managing editor of The Times’ Orange County edition. His dedication culminated in his appointment as managing editor, a position he had long aspired to.
During Cotliar's tenure as managing editor, The Los Angeles Times achieved significant recognition, winning 10 Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other prestigious awards. Former Times National Editor Roger Smith recalled Cotliar's keen focus on the paper's presentation of news, particularly on the front page, and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Smith described him as "an L.A. person. He knew the city and he knew the county."
Beyond his professional achievements and sharp editorial judgment, Cotliar was also known for his passionate, albeit occasionally volatile, temper in the newsroom, a trait that added a unique dynamic to his leadership. He was married to Pearl Ruth Gottlieb until her death in December 2011. He is survived by his son, David Cotliar, and daughter, Sharon Cotliar-Zweifach, along with two grandchildren.
