For many years, Putnam could be seen in the Southern California Parade of roses, atop his trusty steed. Well known for his classic sign off on the 5 o'clock news: "See you at ten... see you then!".
Putnam's distinctive delivery was parodied with the character newsman "Joe Putzman" in the sci-fi/horror spoof Schlock (1973).
His appearance as the commentator in Perversion for Profit (1965) has made him something of a cult figure. The self-righteous and unintentionally funny short about the evils of adult publications became available on the Prelinger Archive website in the early 2000s, introducing Putnam to a whole new generation of viewers.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6374 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 21, 1982.