Brian Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Williams
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Williams in 2013
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| Born |
Brian Douglas Williams
May 5, 1959 Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Years active | 1981–present |
| Employer | CBS (1986–1993) NBC (1993–2021) |
| Television | CBS News reporter (1986–1993) NBC News reporter (1993–2004) NBC Nightly News Saturday and/or Sunday anchor (1993–1999) NBC Nightly News anchor (2004–2015) MSNBC anchor (1996–2002, 2015–2021) The 11th Hour with Brian Williams anchor (2016–2021) |
| Spouse(s) |
Jane Stoddard
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 2, including Allison |
| Awards | 12 News & Documentary Emmy Awards George Polk Award duPont-Columbia University Award Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism |
Brian Douglas Williams (born May 5, 1959) is an American journalist and television news anchor. He is known for his long career in news, especially at NBC. He started as a reporter for NBC Nightly News in 1993. Later, in 2004, he became the main anchor and managing editor of the show.
In February 2015, NBC News suspended Williams for six months. This happened because he had incorrectly described events from the Iraq War in 2003. After this, he was permanently moved from NBC Nightly News. He then became a breaking news anchor for MSNBC.
In September 2016, Williams began hosting The 11th Hour, a political news show on MSNBC. He announced in November 2021 that he would leave MSNBC and NBC News. His last episode of The 11th Hour was in December 2021.
On October 17, 2024, it was announced that Williams would host Election Night coverage for Amazon.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Brian Williams was born on May 5, 1959, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He grew up in a lively family with Irish roots. He is the youngest of four children. His father, Gordon Lewis Williams, was an executive in the retail industry.
Brian lived in Elmira, New York, for nine years. Then, his family moved to Middletown Township, New Jersey, when he was in junior high school.
He graduated from Mater Dei High School in New Monmouth, New Jersey. During high school, he volunteered as a firefighter for three years. He also worked as the editorial editor for his school newspaper. His first job was as a busboy at a restaurant.
After high school, Williams attended Brookdale Community College. He then went to the Catholic University of America and George Washington University. He did not finish his degree, which he later called one of his "great regrets." While in college, he interned at the White House Press office. This was during President Jimmy Carter's time in office.
Journalism Career
Starting in Broadcast News
Brian Williams began his career in broadcasting in 1981 at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas. The next year, he covered news in Washington, D.C., for WTTG. He then worked in Philadelphia for WCAU. In 1987, he started broadcasting in New York City at WCBS.
Williams joined NBC News in 1993. He anchored the national Saturday Nightly News and sometimes the "Sunday Nightly News." He was also the chief White House correspondent. In 1996, he became the anchor and managing editor of The News with Brian Williams on MSNBC and CNBC. He also filled in for Tom Brokaw on The NBC Nightly News. He reported on the accident and death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Leading NBC Nightly News
Williams became the main anchor of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. He took over from Tom Brokaw, who was retiring. In December 2004, Williams apologized for a comment he made about newsroom diversity. NBC News President Neal Shapiro promised to improve hiring of minority staff.
His reporting on Hurricane Katrina was highly praised. People noted his strong feelings about the government's slow response to help victims. The network received a Peabody Award for its coverage. The committee said Williams and his team showed "highest levels of journalistic excellence." NBC Nightly News also won the George Polk Award and the duPont-Columbia University Award for its Katrina reporting.
In 2007, Time magazine named Williams one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In 2009, Williams received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Walter Cronkite himself called Williams a "fastidious newsman."
While anchoring Nightly News, Williams won 12 News & Documentary Emmy Awards. These awards were for his excellent work as anchor and managing editor. He won Emmys for coverage of Hurricane Katrina (2006), tornadoes in Oklahoma (2014), and other important news events. He also won an Emmy for his interview program Rock Center.
NBC Nightly News often had more viewers than its rivals, World News Tonight and CBS Evening News. From late 2008 to late 2014, NBC Nightly News was usually the most-watched network news program.
On February 4, 2015, Williams apologized for a story he had told about the Iraq War. He had claimed his military helicopter was "forced down after being hit by an RPG." However, crew members from the mission said Williams was in a different helicopter group. His helicopter had to land due to a sandstorm, not an attack.
On February 10, 2015, NBC News suspended Williams without pay for six months. This was for misrepresenting the Iraq incident. On June 18, 2015, he was moved to a new role as breaking news anchor for MSNBC.
Rock Center with Brian Williams
On October 4, 2011, it was announced that Williams would host Rock Center with Brian Williams. This was a news magazine show that started on October 31, 2011. The show was named after Rockefeller Center in New York City, where NBC's studios are located.
NBC cancelled Rock Center on May 10, 2013, because of low ratings. The network also had trouble finding a regular time slot for the show. The last episode aired on June 21, 2013.
Return to MSNBC
In September 2015, Williams returned to the air as MSNBC's chief anchor. He covered major news events like Pope Francis's trip to the United States. He also reported on terrorist attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, and Nice. In January 2016, Williams became the chief elections anchor for MSNBC. He debuted in this role during coverage of the 2016 Iowa caucuses.
As chief anchor, Williams hosted The 11th Hour with Brian Williams. This was a nightly show that summarized news and politics. Williams, along with co-anchors Rachel Maddow and Joy Reid, led the network's coverage of the 2020 United States presidential election.
On November 9, 2021, Williams announced he would leave NBC News and MSNBC. His contract ended the following month. His final episode as host of The 11th Hour was on December 9, 2021.
Other Activities
Williams has appeared on many TV shows outside of news. He was a frequent guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He also made cameos on Saturday Night Live, even hosting an episode in 2007. This made him the first sitting network news anchor to host the show.
He appeared on Sesame Street in 2007 and 2008. He announced the "word of the day" and reported for Sesame Street Nightly News. He also hosted the 2009 Annual Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala.
Williams often appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He would "slow jam the news" with Fallon, where he would speak the news while Fallon sang. He also appeared on Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
Williams made guest appearances on NBC's comedy show 30 Rock. He played a funny version of himself in several episodes.
He has given commencement speeches at several universities. These include Bates College (2005), Ohio State University (2008), and the University of Notre Dame (2010). In 2012, he spoke at George Washington University. In 2013, he spoke at Elon University, where his son Douglas was graduating.
Williams also helped with the Encyclopedia of World History published in 2003. He has written for publications like The New York Times and Time magazine.
Personal Life
Brian Williams married Jane Gillan Stoddard on June 7, 1986. They have two children. Their daughter, Allison, is an actress. Their son, Doug, is a reporter and anchor for WCBS-TV.
Williams and his wife live in New Canaan, Connecticut. They also own a beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey. From 2006 to 2015, Williams was on the board of directors for the Medal of Honor Foundation. He resigned from the board after his suspension from NBC.
Honorary Degrees
| School | Date | Location | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic University of America | 15 May 2004 | District of Columbia | Doctor of Humane Letters |
| Bates College | 30 May 2005 | Maine | Doctor of Humane Letters |
| Ohio State University | 8 June 2008 | Ohio | Doctor of Journalism |
| University of Notre Dame | 16 May 2010 | Indiana | Doctor of Laws |
| Fordham University | 21 May 2011 | New York | Doctor of Humane Letters |
| George Washington University | 2012 | District of Columbia | Doctor of Humane Letters |
Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | First episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Saturday Night Live | Himself | Host | |
| 2009–12 | 30 Rock | Himself | The Ones | |
| 2013 | Family Guy | Himself | "Space Cadet" | Voice only |
| 2013 | The Soup | Himself | Himself |
Career Timeline
- 1981: KOAM-TV
- 1982–1986: WTTG-TV correspondent
- 1987–1993: WCBS-TV anchor and reporter
- 1993–2021: NBC News
- 1993–1999: NBC Nightly News weekend anchor
- 1994–1996: White House correspondent
- 1996–2004: MSNBC The News with Brian Williams anchor
- 2004–2015: NBC Nightly News anchor
- 2011–2013: Rock Center with Brian Williams host
- 2015: Six-month suspension from NBC Nightly News
- 2015–2021: MSNBC chief breaking news anchor
- 2016–2021: The 11th Hour with Brian Williams anchor
See also
In Spanish: Brian Williams para niños
