Tom Brokaw

Television journalist. Born February 6, 1940 in Webster, South Dakota. The eldest son of a construction worker and a post office clerk, Tom Brokaw graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in political science in 1962.  He started as a radio reporter in college and worked as the editor of a morning news program in Omaha, Nebraska, following graduation. He also served as a news anchor and editor in Atlanta, Georgia, before becoming a KNBC late-night presenter in Los Angeles (1965-73).

As the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Washington correspondent (1973-6), Tom Brokaw covered several top stories, including the Watergate scandal. He became Today show host (1976-82), leaving to become co-anchor of NBC Nightly News in 1982 with Roger Mudd. Brokaw took over as sole anchor in 1983 and remained in that post until 2004. During his tenure, he reported on the live opening of the Berlin Wall, conducted a historic 1987 interview with Mikhail Gorbachev, and called the 2000 Election to Al Gore before retracting it the following morning. After September 11, 2001, Brokaw postponed his retirement to cover the terrorist attacks. He retired from NBC Nightly News in 2004 and was replaced by Brian Williams.

Since his retirement from the anchor seat, Tom Brokaw has produced specials for NBC, including 2001’s The Greatest Generation Speaks based on his bestselling book, The Greatest Generation. He lives on a ranch in Montana with his wife since 1962, Meredith. The couple has three daughters.