Ed Sullivan statue stolen from TV Academy plaza in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles police are investigating the theft of a solid bronze statue of legendary television personality Ed Sullivan from an outdoor exhibit at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The statue was taken Sunday from atop a pedestal in the academy's Hall of Fame Plaza in North Hollywood.

A police statement describes the statue as standing 18 inches tall and weighing about 20 pounds. CBS Los Angeles reports the statue is valued at $45,000.

The Police Department's North Hollywood area burglary detectives have asked the public for any information that would lead to an arrest.

Officer Drake Madison said Tuesday there had been no break in the case.

Vincent Precht, grandson of the late show business legend, told CBS Los Angeles that his grandfather would be "very proud and happy because he always liked a story and he always liked to be in the middle of a story."

"To hear that his statue was taken, of course we want it back, but he would have liked it, I think," Precht continued.

The plaza where the statue stood honors significant TV personalities and pioneers. Sullivan's classic variety show, "The Ed Sullivan Show," lasted for more than two decades. He died in 1974.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Hollywood burglary detectives at (818) 623-4081.