Tom Brokaw
Born 1940 · Age 85
American television journalist and author; long‑time NBC anchor and special correspondent; author of The Greatest Generation; recipient of numerous journalism awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Webster, South Dakota
Thomas John Brokaw was born in Webster, South Dakota, eldest of three sons to Eugenia and Anthony Brokaw.
Father joins U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — family relocations
Father's job required the family to move frequently around South Dakota (Bristol, Igloo, Pickstown) during Tom's childhood.
Elected Boys State governor and appears on TV with Governor Joe Foss
While a high‑school student in Yankton, Brokaw was governor of the American Legion Boys State chapter and appeared with Governor Joe Foss on a New York TV game show.
Tour guide at Gavins Point Dam (photo noted)
Photographed greeting the 20,000th visitor to Gavins Point Dam; served as a tour guide there during youth.
Matriculated at the University of Iowa
Entered the University of Iowa as the first in his family to attend college; later dropped out after one year.
KTIV — first full broadcasting job (newscaster, weatherman, staff announcer)
Early work at KTIV in Sioux City while in college; entry into television broadcasting.
Worked at KTIV while at University of South Dakota (student broadcasting)
Worked as a substitute newscaster at KTIV in Sioux City while attending school (precursor to his full-time broadcasting career).
Graduated University of South Dakota (BA, political science) Phi Beta Kappa
Transferred from University of Iowa to University of South Dakota and graduated in 1962 with a BA in political science, Phi Beta Kappa.
Married Meredith Lynn Auld
Tom Brokaw married Meredith Lynn Auld; the couple later had three daughters.
KMTV Omaha — reporter
Hired at KMTV in Omaha as reporter (first full-time post‑college job); reported and shot his own stories.
WSB‑TV Atlanta — late‑evening anchor
Brokaw became anchor of the late‑evening news at WSB‑TV in Atlanta, a career boost that drew NBC's attention.
Joined NBC News (KNBC Los Angeles anchor and West Coast correspondent)
Brokaw joined NBC News; reported from Los Angeles and anchored the 11 p.m. news for KNBC.
Covered major national stories (e.g., RFK assassination)
As a young NBC correspondent, covered major events including Robert F. Kennedy's assassination and other national stories.
Named NBC White House correspondent and Saturday Nightly News anchor
Promoted to White House correspondent during the Watergate era and anchor of the Saturday editions of NBC Nightly News.
Became co‑anchor of NBC's Today Show with Jane Pauley
On June 7, 1976, Brokaw became co‑host of Today; held the post through the end of 1981.
First recipient of the Tom Brokaw Award (South Dakota Broadcasting Hall of Fame)
Named the first recipient of the Tom Brokaw Award in 1981 (South Dakota Broadcasting Hall of Fame noted).
Departed Today Show
Left the Today Show on December 31, 1981; succeeded by Bryant Gumbel.
Began co‑anchoring NBC Nightly News (with Roger Mudd)
On April 5, 1982, Brokaw began co‑anchoring Nightly News, succeeding John Chancellor.
Nightly News moved to 'NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw'
Program rebranded to highlight Brokaw as the face of the network nightly newscast in Sept 1983.
Named sole anchor of NBC Nightly News
After a year as co‑anchor, Brokaw was made sole anchor; 'The NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw' began Sept 5, 1983.
Covered the Challenger disaster
Anchored NBC coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion (January 28, 1986).
Covered June Struggle and other international unrest
Reported on international events including South Korea's June Struggle; continued global reporting throughout the late 1980s.
Named to various boards (Council on Foreign Relations, Committee to Protect Journalists, etc.)
Over time Brokaw served on boards including the Council on Foreign Relations, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Rescue Committee, and Mayo Clinic (dates span decades).
Received Peabody Award for 'To Be an American'
Honored with a Peabody Award in 1989 for the report 'To Be an American'.
American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award
Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1989.
Reported from Loma Prieta earthquake aftermath
Anchored coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake impacts and aftermath.
Purchased Livingston, Montana ranch
Brokaw and his wife bought a ranch near Livingston, Montana in 1989; the property shaped his personal life and frequent residence.
First English‑language reporter to report Fall of the Berlin Wall
Brokaw reported live from near the Brandenburg Gate after East German spokesman Schabowski's remarks triggered the wall's opening.
Won duPont‑Columbia Award for Gorbachev interview
Awarded the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for his first one‑on‑one American TV interview with Mikhail Gorbachev.
Inducted into South Dakota Hall of Fame
Recognized as a South Dakota legend and inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (listed 1991).
Covered Hurricane Andrew and other major disasters
Anchored NBC coverage of Hurricane Andrew (1992) and other major national disasters.
Cameo on Late Show with David Letterman (first Letterman episode)
Made a surprise cameo on David Letterman's first Late Show broadcast (Aug 30, 1993).
Received Dennis Kauff Lifetime Achievement Award (Boston University)
Honored with Boston University's Dennis Kauff Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in journalism in 1995.
Richard Jewell controversy and NBC settlement
Brokaw made on‑air statements about suspect Richard Jewell in the Olympic Park bombing; NBC later agreed to pay Jewell $500,000.
Published The Greatest Generation
Released The Greatest Generation (1998), a best‑selling book about Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II.
Published The Greatest Generation Speaks
Follow‑up book compiling letters and reflections from readers of The Greatest Generation.
First American one‑on‑one TV interview with Vladimir Putin
Conducted and broadcast a one‑on‑one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin (caption date June 2, 2000).
Target of 2001 anthrax mailings (letter addressed to him)
An anthrax‑laced letter was addressed to Brokaw as part of the 2001 anthrax attacks; he was unharmed but two NBC employees were infected.
Anchored extended coverage of 9/11 terrorist attacks
Anchored NBC coverage beginning mid‑morning and continuing into the night and following days after the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Received Radio Television Digital News Association Paul White Award
Honored with RTDNA's Paul White Award in 2002 for outstanding contributions to electronic journalism.
NBC announced planned retirement from Nightly News after 2004 election
NBC declared Brokaw would step down as Nightly News anchor following the 2004 presidential election and transition to part‑time/documentary work.
Peabody Award for 'A Question of Fairness'
Received a Peabody Award in 2003 for his special report 'A Question of Fairness'.
Became NBC News Special Correspondent / Contributing Anchor
After stepping down as nightly anchor, Brokaw remained at NBC as part‑time special correspondent producing documentaries and reports.
Final broadcast as anchor of NBC Nightly News
Closed his final Nightly News broadcast on Dec 1, 2004; Nightly News had ~15.7 million viewers for that final program.
Received Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement and other honors (2006)
Awarded multiple lifetime achievement honors in 2006 including Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement and the Sylvanus Thayer Award.
Delivered eulogy at Gerald R. Ford's state funeral
One of the eulogists at the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford (Ford died Dec 2006).
Began periodic documentary reporting for Discovery and History channels
Produced and reported documentaries on topics including history, disease, and global issues after leaving nightly anchor chair.
Inducted into Television Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006, recognizing his long broadcasting career.
Horatio Alger Award recipient
Received the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans, class of 2007.
Announced Tim Russert's death on NBC
Served as announcer when NBC interrupted programming to report the sudden death of Tim Russert (June 13, 2008).
Named interim host of Meet the Press
Served as interim moderator/host of Meet the Press from June 29, 2008 until being succeeded by David Gregory in December 2008.
Moderated second presidential debate (Obama–McCain) at Belmont University
Moderated the second 2008 U.S. presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.
Received honorary doctorate from University of Iowa
Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Iowa; later donated his papers to its library.
Hosted Fox Sports Net's 'The Boys in the Hall' baseball series
Began hosting a baseball documentary series for Fox Sports Net in 2011.
Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award
Received the Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award at Old Sturbridge Village in 2012.
Hospitalized after Morning Joe appearance (Ambien incident)
Hospitalized Sept 6, 2012 after taking half a dose of Ambien by mistake; later said he was 'all well.'
Starred in Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 'Home for the Holidays' concert
Took part in the choir's annual Christmas concert with live audiences of 84,000; televised nationally in December 2013.
Published 'Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber'
Published a book recounting the story of the Berlin Candy Bomber.
Awarded honorary Peabody in 2013
Received an honorary Peabody in 2013 recognizing his reputation since leaving the NBC desk.
Diagnosed with multiple myeloma (Mayo Clinic)
Announced diagnosis of multiple myeloma in August 2013; doctors reported an encouraging prognosis.
Universal Studios names Brokaw News Center
A new broadcast facility on the Universal Studios Hollywood lot was named the Brokaw News Center in April 2014.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama
Presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2014 for his lifetime contributions to journalism and chronicling WWII veterans.
Announced multiple myeloma in remission
On Dec 21, 2014, Brokaw announced that his cancer was in remission.
Published A Lucky Life Interrupted: A Memoir of Hope
Released a memoir about his cancer battle and recovery in 2015.
Received Poynter Institute Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
Honored by Poynter in 2016 for lifetime achievement in journalism.
Awarded French Legion of Honor
Received the French Legion of Honor (2016) for supporting WWII veterans and related work.
Allegations of unwanted advances from the 1990s surfaced
In April 2018 two women alleged Brokaw made unwanted sexual advances in the 1990s; he denied the accusations; colleagues published a supporting letter.
Published The Fall of Richard Nixon: A Reporter Remembers Watergate
Released a book reflecting on his experiences covering Watergate and the Nixon White House.
NBC announced Brokaw's retirement after 55 years at the network
NBC announced on Jan 22, 2021 that Tom Brokaw would retire after 55 years with the network, ending a five‑plus decade career.
Published Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story
Released Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story in 2023 (hardback).
Mother Eugenia 'Jean' Brokaw obituary noted (mother died 2011; obituary accessed 2024)
Public records and obituaries referenced Brokaw's family background (mother's lifespan given 1917–2011).
Britannica update and continued recognition
Encyclopaedia Britannica entries and other references updated through 2025 noting Brokaw's career and works.
Key Achievement Ages
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