Celebrity reporter James Brady dies at age 80

NEW YORK -- James Brady, the celebrity columnist who created the New York Post's gossipy Page Six, has died at his Manhattan home. He was 80.

Brady's death was announced Tuesday by Parade magazine, where he wrote the celebrity profile column "In Step With" for nearly 25 years.

Brady worked until his death Monday. The cause of his death has not been announced.

His last column will appear Feb. 15. It will feature actor Kevin Bacon.

Brady started as a copyboy for the New York Daily News. He left to serve in the Marines during the Korean War.

He was hired by media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1974 to edit the then-new weekly Star magazine. He later was an associate publisher at the New York Post.