Jim Gardner spent decades reporting the news. Here are some of his lighter moments

Given that Jim Gardner has been Channel 6′s primetime news anchor for more than half the history of the venerable station, which went on the air in 1947, it shouldn’t be surprising that he has experienced a moment of unexpected levity or two on camera during his remarkable career.

His tenure has far exceeded that of erstwhile local legends such as Channel 10′s John Facenda, Channel 3′s Vince Leonard, and Larry Kane, Gardner’s predecessor at WPVI.

» READ MORE: Longtime 6ABC anchor Jim Gardner to retire from ‘Action News’

Gardner, who announced this week his plans to retire at the end of 2022, began his Channel 6 anchor stint when the late Mayor Frank L. Rizzo was the most controversial figure in town, and it is winding down as the Rizzo statue has become a hot source of controversy.

Since 1976, he has been the station’s voice and face for some of the biggest stories in the region’s history — from the Three Mile Island disaster, the MOVE bombing, and two papal visits, to a varied menu of weather disasters.

His calm demeanor has been a counterpoint to the sometimes frenetic pace of the Action News format, which debuted at Channel 6 in 1970, and propelled it to ratings dominance. Along with news, weather and sports, that no doubt has had something to do with the fact that Gardner and other Action News personalities found ways to entertain audiences — sometimes unintentionally.

» READ MORE: 6ABC’s Jim Gardner hears it from Phillies fans after snapping a pic with Alex Trebek

Even when things have gone awry, the normally staid Gardner has shown a keen talent for comedic timing.

Here are some lighter snippets from Gardner’s career.

News he could use.

Lose something, Cecily?

Sometimes you can’t go on.

Toe-to-toe with Ducis Rodgers.

When things go off the rails.