Brian Williams biography

Synopsis

Brian Williams began his broadcasting career in Kansas, eventually getting hired by WCBS-TV in New York City, where he won his first Emmy Award for his report on the stock market collapse. Soon after, Williams earned a spot at NBC News, where he climbed the ranks to his current post as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the network's flagship evening news program.

Profile

Television news anchor. Born May 5, 1959, in Elmira, New York. Raised in Middletown, New Jersey, Williams attended George Washington University and Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., though he didn't graduate. He began is broadcasting career in Pittsburg, Kansas, eventually getting hired by WCBS-TV in New York City, where he won his first Emmy Award for his report on the stock market collapse.

Soon after, Williams earned a spot at NBC News, where he climbed the ranks from White House correspondent to CNBC and MSNBC anchor to his current post as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. The network's flagship evening news program was helmed by Tom Brokaw until Williams took over on December 2, 2004.

Though Williams had been criticized in the past for being stiff and lacking charisma, his critically acclaimed coverage of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 improved his image considerably. In addition, his appearances on The Daily Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, and Saturday Night Live has also added to his popularity.