Mac McGarry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mac McGarry
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McGarry hosts It's Academic, December 2009
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| Born |
Maurice James McGarry
June 15, 1926 |
| Died | December 12, 2013 (aged 87) |
| Education | Regis High School |
| Alma mater | Fordham University |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Years active | 1950–2011 |
| Known for | Hosting It's Academic |
| Spouse(s) | Married |
| Children | Four children |
Maurice James "Mac" McGarry (born June 15, 1926 – died December 12, 2013) was a very well-known television host. He was famous for hosting the quiz show It's Academic. This popular show is seen in Washington, D.C. on NBC's local channel, WRC-TV. Mac McGarry hosted It's Academic for an amazing fifty years! He started on October 7, 1961, and continued until June 25, 2011.
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Mac McGarry's Early Life and TV Career
Mac McGarry was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1926. He went to Regis High School in New York City. After high school, he studied at Fordham University.
In 1950, Mac McGarry joined the NBC television network. He started working at station WNBW. One of his first jobs was being the announcer for the NBC radio show American Forum of the Air. He also began working in television. He helped cover important events like Harry S. Truman's presidential inauguration for NBC-TV. He also appeared regularly on NBC's The Big Preview.
A Long Career in Television
From 1950 until 2011, Mac McGarry hosted many different talk shows. One of these was In Our Town, which was the first weekly TV show to be broadcast in color.
Some of Mac McGarry's early assignments were very important. He announced the news when the Korean War began. He also introduced President Truman from the White House. In the early 1950s, he was involved in early experiments with color television. Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, he was the announcer for NBC News Updates. These news updates came from Washington, D.C. He also did live announcing work for WRC-TV for many years.
Later Years and Retirement
In September 2011, Mac McGarry took a break from hosting It's Academic. He was feeling unwell with a lingering cold. Hillary Howard, a news anchor from WTOP-FM, started filling in for him.
Mac McGarry had hoped to host the 51st season of It's Academic. However, in November 2011, he announced his retirement. This was due to his health issues. Hillary Howard then became the permanent host of the show.
Mac McGarry passed away on December 12, 2013. He was 87 years old. He died at his home in Potomac, Maryland, due to complications from pneumonia. He was survived by his wife, Babette, and their four children.
Awards and Honors
Mac McGarry received many awards for his long and successful career.
- He was a founding member of the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
- He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement.
- He received several Mass Media Awards from the American Association of University Women.
- The DC chapter of NATAS gave him the Board of Governors Award.
- The Olender Foundation gave him the America's Role Model 2004 Award.
- Marymount University gave him an honorary degree called Doctor of Humane Letters. They did this to recognize his dedication to education, his support for young students, and his amazing commitment to his job and community.
