Tom Brokaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Brokaw
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Brokaw in 2015
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| Born |
Thomas John Brokaw
February 6, 1940 Webster, South Dakota, U.S.
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| Education | University of South Dakota (BA) |
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| Years active | 1960–2021 |
| Employer | NBC (1966–2021) |
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Notable credit(s)
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| Term | Anchor of NBC Nightly News |
| Predecessor | John Chancellor |
| Successor | Brian Williams |
| Spouse(s) |
Meredith Auld
(m. 1962) |
| Children | 3 |
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Thomas John Brokaw (born February 6, 1940) is an American journalist and author who is now retired. He is famous for being the anchor of NBC Nightly News for 22 years, from 1982 to 2004. Before that, he was a co-anchor for The Today Show from 1976 to 1981.
Tom Brokaw is the only person to have hosted all three main NBC News programs. These are The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Meet the Press.
He was one of the "Big Three" U.S. news anchors during the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. The other two were Peter Jennings at ABC News and Dan Rather at CBS News. All three hosted their network's main nightly news shows for over 20 years.
Brokaw has also written several books about American history. His most famous book is The Greatest Generation (1998). In 2021, he retired after working for NBC for 55 years. This makes him one of the longest-serving anchors at the same news network.
He has received many awards, including two Peabody Awards and two Emmy Awards. In 2014, President Barack Obama gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2016, he received the French Legion of Honor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Brokaw was born in Webster, South Dakota. His mother, Eugenia "Jean" Conley, worked in sales and at a post office. His father, Anthony Orville "Red" Brokaw, was a construction foreman. Tom was the oldest of three sons.
His father worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. Because of his job, the family moved around South Dakota often. They lived in places like Bristol, Igloo, and Pickstown. They finally settled in Yankton, where Tom went to high school.
In high school, Brokaw was chosen as the governor for South Dakota's American Legion Boys State. This allowed him to meet the South Dakota Governor, Joe Foss. Brokaw later wrote about Foss in his book The Greatest Generation.
Brokaw first went to the University of Iowa. He later transferred to the University of South Dakota. He graduated in 1964 with a degree in political science.
Broadcasting Career
Starting Out in News (1966–1981)
Tom Brokaw's TV career began at local stations in Iowa, Nebraska, and Georgia. In 1966, he joined NBC News. He worked as a reporter in Los Angeles.
In 1973, NBC made Brokaw their White House correspondent. He covered important events like the Watergate scandal. He also anchored the Saturday evening news.
From 1976 to 1981, he was a co-host of NBC's Today Show with Jane Pauley.
Leading NBC Nightly News (1982–2004)
On April 5, 1982, Brokaw became a co-anchor of NBC Nightly News. He worked with Roger Mudd. After a year, NBC decided Brokaw would be the only anchor.
NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw started on September 5, 1983. He covered many major events during this time. These included the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Hurricane Andrew.
A big moment for Brokaw was on November 9, 1989. He was the first English-speaking journalist to report the Fall of the Berlin Wall. He was at a press conference in East Berlin. A spokesman said people could leave "immediately." Brokaw reported live from the wall as people rushed to cross.
As anchor, Brokaw was the first American TV journalist to interview Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He also interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On September 11, 2001, Brokaw anchored NBC's coverage all day. He continued to report on the attacks for two more days. Later that month, a letter with anthrax was sent to him. He was not harmed, but two NBC employees got sick.
In 2002, NBC announced that Brokaw would retire as anchor after the 2004 Presidential election. Brian Williams took over as anchor. Brokaw stayed with NBC News part-time.
By the end of his time as anchor, Nightly News was the most watched news program. Brokaw was seen as the most popular news person in the United States.
After Nightly News (2004–2021)
After leaving the anchor desk, Brokaw continued to work for NBC. He was a Special Correspondent. He also reported for documentaries on the Discovery Channel and History Channel.
In 2008, he was an analyst for the presidential election. He also led the second debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. When Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert died suddenly, Brokaw hosted the show temporarily.
Brokaw is on the board of many important groups. These include the Council on Foreign Relations and the Mayo Clinic.
In 2014, President Barack Obama gave Brokaw the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is America's highest award for civilians. The President called him "one of our nation’s greatest journalists."
On January 22, 2021, NBC announced Brokaw's retirement. He had worked for the network for 55 years.
Personal Life
Tom Brokaw has been married to author Meredith Lynn Auld since 1962. They have three daughters: Jennifer, Andrea, and Sarah. They spend a lot of time at their ranch in Livingston, Montana.
In August 2013, Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. This is a type of blood cancer that can be treated. He continued to work for NBC during his treatments. In December 2014, he announced that his cancer was in remission. His 2015 book, A Lucky Life Interrupted, is about his fight with cancer.
Career Timeline
- 1960–1962: KTIV-TV Newscaster and weatherman
- 1962–1965: KMTV-TV Reporter
- 1965: Anchor of WSB-TV late-evening news
- 1966–2021: NBC News
- 1966–1972: NBC News West Coast correspondent and KNBC anchor
- 1973–1976: White House correspondent and Saturday anchor of NBC Nightly News
- 1976–1981: Today Show co-anchor
- 1982–1983: NBC Nightly News co-anchor
- 1983–2004: NBC Nightly News anchor
- 2004–2021: Special correspondent and contributing anchor
- 2008: Meet the Press moderator (interim)
Awards and Honors
Tom Brokaw has received many awards for his work in journalism and public service.
- 1981: First Tom Brokaw Award from the South Dakota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
- 1989: Peabody Award for a report called To Be an American.
- 1989: Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- Several Emmy Awards, including one for China in Crisis.
- 1991: Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.
- 1998: Fred Friendly First Amendment Award for his dedication to free speech.
- 1999: Emmy award for his international coverage of the Kosovo conflict.
- 2002: Paul White Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
- 2003: Peabody Award for his report "A Question of Fairness".
- 2005: Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- 2006: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
- 2006: Induction into the Television Hall of Fame.
- 2013: Peabody Award for his work after leaving the NBC News desk.
- 2014: Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor.
- 2016: French Legion of Honor, for his support of World War II veterans.
- 2016: Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.
Honorary Degrees
Tom Brokaw has received honorary degrees from many universities, including:
See also
In Spanish: Tom Brokaw para niños
- New Yorkers in journalism
