David Muir
Born 1973 · Age 52
American broadcast journalist; anchor and managing editor of ABC World News Tonight and co-anchor of ABC's 20/20, noted for international reporting and multiple journalism awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Syracuse, New York
David Jason Muir was born into a Catholic family in Syracuse, New York.
Began interning at WTVH-TV (child internship)
As a young teen (around age 13) Muir interned at Syracuse station WTVH, carrying equipment and assisting in the newsroom.
Matriculated at Ithaca College (Roy H. Park School of Communications)
Began studies in journalism (major) and political science minor at Ithaca College; anchored student newscast ICTV.
Graduated Onondaga Central Junior–Senior High School
Completed high school in May 1991 in Onondaga Hill, NY.
Semester at Institute on Political Journalism (Georgetown)
Attended the Institute on Political Journalism at the Fund for American Studies (Georgetown) for a semester while in college.
Semester abroad at University of Salamanca (Spain)
Spent a semester abroad at the University of Salamanca; lived with a family and studied in Spanish, an experience Muir cites as pivotal.
Anchor/reporter at WTVH-TV (Syracuse)
Worked as an anchor and reporter at WTVH-TV; listed employment period 1994–2000.
Reported from Israel after Yitzhak Rabin assassination
Reported from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Gaza following Rabin's assassination; reporting earned honors from RTNDA and Associated Press.
Graduated Ithaca College magna cum laude (BA in Journalism)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, graduating magna cum laude in May 1995.
Local honors for anchoring and reporting
Received Associated Press honors, Syracuse Press Club recognitions (Best Local Newscast, voted one of Best Local News Anchors).
Joined WCVB-TV in Boston as anchor/reporter
Moved to a top-10 market (Boston) to anchor and report at WCVB.
Investigative reporting on 9/11 hijackers' path
Worked on reporting tracing the path of the 9/11 hijackers; earned regional Edward R. Murrow Award, National Headliner Award and AP honors.
Joined ABC News (World News Now anchor)
Joined ABC News in August 2003 as anchor of World News Now and anchor of World News This Morning (America This Morning).
Covered Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans Superdome
Was inside the Superdome as Katrina hit and reported from the Convention Center and Charity Hospital amid the humanitarian crisis.
Co-anchored Primetime (occasional)
Occasionally co-anchored ABC's Primetime newsmagazine.
Reported from Israeli–Lebanon border (Israel-Hezbollah war)
Covered the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from the border.
Reported from Gaza during Hamas coup
Reported from inside the Gaza Strip in March 2007 covering Hamas takeover.
Named anchor of World News Saturday
Became anchor of ABC's World News Saturday in June 2007.
Reported from Peru after major earthquake
Dispatched to Peru following the country's worst earthquake in two decades (Oct 2007).
Established study-abroad scholarship at Ithaca College
Since 2008 Muir has sponsored a scholarship for Ithaca College students studying abroad (University of Salamanca program).
Reported from Ukraine (Chernobyl region)
Reported from Ukraine in September 2008, more than two decades after the Chernobyl disaster.
Reported from Haiti after devastating earthquake
Traveled to Haiti in January 2010 to cover the 7.0-magnitude earthquake and its humanitarian aftermath.
Investigated BP oil spill in Gulf of Mexico
Made multiple reporting trips to cover environmental and economic effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
Wrote 'Inside Somalia's Crippling Famine' (Daily Beast)
Authored a piece for the Daily Beast about his reporting from Mogadishu and the Somalia famine.
Weekend newscasts rebranded 'World News with David Muir'
In February 2011 Muir became anchor for both ABC weekend newscasts and the broadcast was named 'World News with David Muir.'
Delivered Ithaca College commencement address
Returned to alma mater to deliver the commencement address and urged graduates to use their voices.
Reported from Tahrir Square and Fukushima
Covered Egypt's revolution from Tahrir Square and reported from Fukushima, Japan after the tsunami/nuclear accident.
Lead ABC correspondent for 2012 U.S. presidential election
Served as one of ABC's lead correspondents during the 2012 presidential campaign and debates.
Interviewed Mitt Romney (gained national headlines)
Interview segments with Mitt Romney generated national headlines on economics and immigration policy.
Anchored Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting coverage
Anchored several hours of live coverage and reported from Newtown as President Obama visited the town.
Edward R. Murrow Award for 'A Cry For Help: Famine in Somalia'
Received an Edward R. Murrow Award (Hard News Reporting) for his Somalia famine coverage.
First Western/first network reporting from Mogadishu famine (field risk)
Reported from Mogadishu during the famine — team came under fire; series earned an Edward R. Murrow Award for the reporting.
Promoted to co-anchor of 20/20
In March 2013 (reported February/March 2013) Muir was promoted to co-anchor ABC's 20/20 alongside Elizabeth Vargas.
Switched to being based in New York City (ABC News)
As anchor/managing editor of World News Tonight Muir is part of ABC News' New York City operation (career base move implicit with promotion).
Launched 'Made in America' series (Emmy-nominated)
A continuing feature on his broadcast focusing on the American economy and manufacturing; also brought segments to programs like The View.
Named one of People's Sexiest Men Alive (People magazine)
Listed by People in 2014 among 'Sexiest Men Alive' related lists for newsmen.
Announced to succeed Diane Sawyer as World News anchor
ABC News announced on June 27, 2014 that Muir would replace Diane Sawyer as anchor and managing editor of ABC World News.
Debut as anchor of 'World News Tonight with David Muir'
Made his debut broadcast as weeknight anchor and managing editor on September 1, 2014.
Hillary Clinton interview: private-email apology
During a 2015 interview Secretary Hillary Clinton admitted using a private email server was a mistake and apologized; interview generated headlines.
Received honorary Doctor of Letters and Jessica Savitch Award from Ithaca College
Ithaca College awarded Muir an honorary doctorate and the Jessica Savitch Award for Excellence in Journalism.
World News Tonight became most-watched evening newscast
In April 2015 Muir's World News Tonight became the most-watched evening broadcast in the U.S., overtaking NBC Nightly News.
Delivered Northeastern University commencement; received honorary doctorate
Delivered Northeastern University's commencement address and was given an honorary Doctor of Media degree.
Moderated town hall with President Obama on race and policing
Moderated a nationally televised town hall with President Obama addressing race and policing, later earning a News & Documentary Emmy.
Released year-long report 'Breaking Point: Heroin in America'
Published a year-long report on the heroin crisis in America (March 2016); continued investigative coverage.
CINE Golden Eagle Award for Heroin reporting
Received a CINE Golden Eagle Award in the News Program/Continuing Coverage category for 'Heroin: Breaking Point in America'.
Named Citizen of the Year by Temple Adath Yeshurun (Syracuse)
Honored by his hometown congregation for contributions (per Biography.com listing).
First post-inauguration interview with President Donald Trump
Interviewed President Trump at the White House on January 25, 2017 — Trump's first interview as president five days after inauguration.
Emmy for live reporting from Hurricane Michael (Panama City Beach)
Live field reporting from Hurricane Michael won a News & Documentary Emmy for breaking news coverage.
RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Santa Rosa wildfires coverage
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir received the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for coverage of the Santa Rosa wildfires.
Delivered University of Wisconsin–Madison commencement address
Served as commencement speaker in Madison, Wisconsin.
Emmy for Las Vegas shooting reporting (20/20)
Won an Emmy for reporting on the Las Vegas shooting for ABC's 20/20.
Reported from Hungarian/Serbian border and Syrian border on refugee crisis
Anchored on-the-scene reporting from Europe during the refugee crisis; gained rare access to refugee vetting issues.
Auschwitz report with survivors (reporting)
Traveled to Auschwitz with childhood survivors; the report later earned a News & Documentary Emmy in 2021.
COVID-19 pandemic ratings surge
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic World News Tonight averaged around 12 million viewers and became the most-watched TV program during early 2020.
First joint interview with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Conducted the first joint interview with Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris ahead of the 2020 election.
Named lead anchor for breaking news and special event coverage at ABC News
In 2021 Muir became ABC News' lead anchor for breaking news and special events, a role previously held by George Stephanopoulos.
Reported from southern Madagascar on climate-driven famine
Traveled to southern Madagascar to report on what the UN WFP warned was the first climate-change-driven famine; report led to large viewer donations to the World Food Programme.
Viewer fundraising for World Food Programme after Madagascar report
After the Madagascar climate-famine report ABC News viewers donated large sums to the World Food Programme — sources report over $3 million (ABC later referenced raising $9 million).
First network anchor to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russian invasion
Traveled to interview Zelenskyy after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine; generated international headlines.
George Polk Award and News & Documentary Emmy for Madagascar reporting
Received the George Polk Award for environmental reporting and a News & Documentary Emmy for the Madagascar climate-driven famine report.
Delivered Syracuse University commencement address
Served as Syracuse University's commencement speaker in May 2022.
Traveled to South Sudan for climate/flooding report
Reported 'South Sudan: Isolated by Water and War' covering historic flooding, malnutrition and war — report earned a News & Documentary Emmy and helped secure an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia recognition for ABC's climate coverage.
Repeated recognition: Emmys and Murrow awards for network newscast
By late 2023 Muir and ABC News had collected multiple News & Documentary Emmys and Edward R. Murrow Awards for network newscast and live coverage.
Named winner of the 40th Cronkite Award
Awarded the Cronkite Award by Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
News & Documentary Emmy and RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Live News Program
On Sept 27, 2023 Muir won a News & Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Live News Program and an RTDNA Murrow Award for TV Network Newscast.
Won Emmy for Outstanding Live News Program (2023 and 2024 wins referenced)
Muir and ABC World News Tonight won Emmys for Outstanding Live News Program in 2023 and 2024 and Edward R. Murrow Awards for Network TV Newscast in the same years.
Recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Baton Award recognition (ABC/Environmental Reporting)
On Jan 25, 2024 Muir and ABC News were recognized with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Baton for Environmental Reporting.
Interviewed President Biden at Normandy (D-Day 80th)
Interviewed President Biden at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 80th anniversary of D-Day and pressed him about pardoning his son; Biden said he would not (Biden later pardoned Hunter Biden on Dec 1, 2024).
Co-moderated presidential debate (Trump vs. Harris)
On Sept 10, 2024 David Muir and Linsey Davis moderated an ABC News presidential debate watched by nearly 70 million Americans; moderators frequently fact-checked statements on stage.
Named to TIME100 list of Most Influential People
Muir was named in TIME magazine's TIME100 list of the most influential people in 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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