Tom Magliozzi Dead: 'Car Talk' Co-Host Dies From Alzheimer's, Producer Remembers His Laughter

By Anna H.

Tom Magliozzi, the co-host of NPR's "Car Talk,” died on Monday at the age of 77 from Alzheimer's complications, the publication announced.

The East Cambridge, Mass. native hosted the popular show with his younger brother Ray from 1977 to 2012. The weekly hourlong show, which comically focused on automobile issues and reached millions of listeners, received a Peabody Award in 1992.

"If there was one thing that defined Tom Magliozzi, it was his laugh. It was loud, it was constant, it was infectious,” from NPR's Lynn Neary. Tom (bottom), one of the co-hosts of the popular public radio show Car Talk, died on Monday of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 77 years old. Share your stories on the Car Talk website, the link is in our profile. (Photo credit: Courtesy of Car Talk)

A photo posted by NPR (@npr) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:20am PST

The producer of “Car Talk,” Doug Berman, spoke about Magliozzi's life and his infectious laugh.

“I’m obviously very sad today, and yet you know, just hearing him – you know, I was on the phone smiling. You can’t help it. He had this ability — he just laughed at everything all the time, he found funny things in everything. It was almost like he was battling with his laughter,” he told Here & Now. “He just had such a joyous attitude and approach to everything. You put him anywhere and everybody around him would be having fun. You know it leaves a big hole. That’s the first thing that comes to mind.”

Goodbye, Tom Magliozzi of Car Talk. You made many an hour pass, trouble free. Your Fair City will not be the same... Hanx

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) November 4, 2014

Condolences to Tom Magliozzi's family. Car Talk has been on for years in our cars on Saturday mornings with the family.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) November 3, 2014