Tom Brokaw

Tom Brokaw is an American former television news anchor and author, best known for his tenure as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. His career at NBC News spanned more than five decades, during which he covered pivotal events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the September 11 attacks, and multiple presidential elections. Brokaw is also renowned for his bestselling book The Greatest Generation, which popularized a term for Americans who lived through the Great Depression and served in World War II.

Early life and education

Thomas John Brokaw was born in Webster, South Dakota, and raised in Yankton and Pickstown. His father, Anthony "Red" Brokaw, worked as a foreman for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and his mother, Eugenia, was a clerk and postal worker. He attended Yankton High School and later graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1962 with a degree in political science. During his university years, Brokaw began his broadcasting career at KUSD radio and later worked at KTIV in Sioux City, Iowa.

Career

Brokaw began his professional television career at KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before moving to WSB-TV in Atlanta. In 1966, he joined NBC News as a reporter for their Los Angeles bureau. He first gained national prominence as the host of the Today show from 1976 to 1981. In 1982, he succeeded John Chancellor as the sole anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, a position he held for 22 years. During his tenure, he competed directly with Dan Rather of CBS News and Peter Jennings of ABC News. Brokaw reported on major stories such as the Challenger disaster, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also served as a contributing anchor for ''Dateline NBC'' and hosted several documentaries and specials for the network, including coverage of Olympic events. After stepping down from the nightly newscast, he remained a special correspondent for NBC News until his retirement in 2021.

Personal life

Brokaw married Meredith Auld in 1962, whom he met while both were students at the University of South Dakota. The couple has three daughters: Jennifer, Andrea, and Sarah. They maintain residences in New York City and Montana. Brokaw has been open about his health challenges, including a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2013 and subsequent treatments. An avid outdoorsman, he is a dedicated fly fishing enthusiast and conservationist, often spending time in Wyoming and Montana. He has been involved with various charitable organizations, including the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Brokaw has received numerous accolades for his journalism. He is a multiple Emmy Award winner and has been honored with the prestigious Peabody Award. In 2003, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Other honors include the Paul White Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Several universities, including his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, have awarded him honorary doctorates.

Legacy and impact

Brokaw's legacy is defined by his steady leadership during a transformative era for broadcast journalism and his role in defining the American experience of the twentieth century. His book The Greatest Generation became a cultural phenomenon, shaping the national conversation about the legacy of World War II veterans. As one of the "Big Three" network anchors during the heyday of television news, he helped set the standard for nightly news broadcasting. His long and distinguished career at NBC News influenced a generation of journalists, including successors like Brian Williams and Lester Holt. Brokaw's work continues to be cited in discussions of modern American history and the evolution of the media.

Category:American television news anchors Category:American non-fiction writers Category:1940 births Category:Living people