Chet Huntley

Chet Huntley
Name	Chet Huntley
Caption	Huntley in 1964
Birth name	Chester Robert Huntley
Birth date	10 December 1911
Birth place	Cardwell, Montana
Death date	20 March 1974
Death place	Big Sky, Montana
Education	University of Washington, Montana State University
Occupation	Journalist, news anchor
Years active	1934–1970
Spouse	Tipton Stringer (m. 1936; div. 1959), Ingrid Rolin (m. 1959)
Known for	Co-anchor of The Huntley-Brinkley Report
Employer	NBC
Awards	Peabody Award (1956, 1958), Emmy Award (1959, 1965), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1970)

Chet Huntley was an American broadcast journalist who became a defining figure in television news during the mid-20th century. He is best remembered as the co-anchor, alongside David Brinkley, of the influential evening news program The Huntley-Brinkley Report on NBC. Huntley's authoritative baritone and sober delivery, contrasted with Brinkley's wry style, helped the program dominate ratings for over a decade and shaped the format of network news. His distinguished career earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Early life and education

Chester Robert Huntley was born in the small ranching community of Cardwell, Montana, and spent his formative years in Sacramento, California, before returning to Montana. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where he studied drama and agriculture, and later transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle. At the University of Washington, he pursued a degree in speech and political science, graduating in 1934, during the depths of the Great Depression.

Radio and early television career

Huntley began his broadcasting career in 1934 at KPCB in Seattle, working as an announcer and newsreader. He subsequently held positions at radio stations in Spokane and Portland, Oregon, before moving to the CBS Radio network in Los Angeles in 1939. After serving as a news analyst for ABC Radio in the late 1940s, he transitioned to the emerging medium of television. He joined NBC in 1955, initially working out of their West Coast bureau, where he covered major events like the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.

NBC News and The Huntley-Brinkley Report

In 1956, NBC News executive Davidson Taylor paired Huntley with correspondent David Brinkley to anchor the network's coverage of the national political conventions. Their chemistry was immediate and successful, leading to their appointment as co-anchors of the newly renamed The Huntley-Brinkley Report in October 1956. Based in New York City, Huntley delivered the news from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, while Brinkley broadcast from Washington, D.C. The program's iconic closing exchange, "Good night, Chet." "Good night, David.", became a national catchphrase. During his tenure, Huntley reported on seminal events including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Later career and retirement

After The Huntley-Brinkley Report ended in 1970, Huntley retired from daily broadcasting. He briefly hosted the documentary series Chet Huntley Reporting and made occasional specials for NBC. His post-television venture was the ambitious development of the Big Sky Resort ski and residential community in Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. This project reflected his lifelong love for the American West and represented a significant shift from journalism to business and land development.

Personal life and death

Huntley was married twice: first to Tipton Stringer, with whom he had two daughters, and later to Swedish-born actress Ingrid Rolin. A private man, he was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. In early 1974, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Chet Huntley died at his home in Big Sky, Montana, on March 20, 1974. His funeral was held at St. James' Episcopal Church in Bozeman, and he was interred at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in that city.

Legacy and honors

Huntley's legacy is that of a pioneering anchor who helped establish the credibility and format of network television news. He received three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and the George Polk Award. In 1970, President Richard Nixon awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The Chet Huntley Collection is housed at the University of Montana, and he is inducted into the Montana Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame. His partnership with David Brinkley remains a legendary chapter in the history of American broadcasting.

Category:American television journalists Category:NBC News people Category:1911 births Category:1974 deaths Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Category:People from Montana