Brian Williams

This article is about the American news anchor. For other people named Brian Williams, see Brian Williams.

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NBC Anchor Brian Williams

Brian Williams (born May 5, 1959) is the anchor and managing editor of the most watched news program in the United States, NBC Nightly News, the flagship evening news program of the NBC Network. Williams succeeded Americas most trusted anchor Tom Brokaw on December 2, 2004. Brokaws last day attracted 16 million viewers who tuned in to watch him sign off December 1. Previously, Williams was the network's chief correspondent at the White House and then anchor of The News with Brian Williams on CNBC and MSNBC cable networks.

Williams was raised in Elmira, New York where he attended Hendy Avenue Elementary. Later, Williams moved with his parents to Middletown, New Jersey where he was a volunteer fireman, worked at a pancake restaurant and local Sears store. After graduation from Mater Dei High School, Williams attended George Washington University and transferred to Catholic University of America, both schools in Washington, DC.

Upon leaving college without a degree, a decision that he terms "one of my great regrets" [1], Williams began his broadcasting career at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas and later moved back to Washington, DC to work at WTTG-TV as general assignment correspondent. After his stint there, Williams was hired at WCBS-TV in New York where he won his first Emmy for his reporting of the stock market collapse. Williams regards WNBC's Chuck Scarborough as a mentor.

It was at WCBS-TV where Williams was discovered by national network executives. In March of 1993, Williams began work at NBC News where he climbed the ranks to his current position.

In the past, some viewers held the perception that Williams was stiff and lacked charisma during his broadcasts. After the announcement that he would succeed Brokaw, Williams was a guest on various television entertainment programs including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart where he showed a more jovial and charismatic side of his personality which largely eliminated this perception.