Co-anchor of NBC's Huntley-Brinkley Report, a pioneering news program that set the standard for evening news broadcasts, known for his folksy, down-to-earth style.
Chet Huntley, born Chester Robert Huntley on December 10, 1911, was an American television newscaster, best known for co-anchoring NBC's evening news program, The Huntley-Brinkley Report, for 14 years beginning in 1956. This pioneering news program brought Huntley and his co-anchor, David Brinkley, into the homes of millions of Americans, earning them a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected news teams in the country.
Huntley was born in Cardwell, Montana, to Percy Adams Huntley and Blanche Wadine (née Tatham) Huntley. His father, a telegraph operator for the Northern Pacific Railway, moved the family frequently due to the railroad's seniority system. As a result, Huntley spent his childhood in various towns across Montana, including Cardwell, Saco, Willow Creek, Logan, Big Timber, Norris, Whitehall, and Three Forks.
After graduating from Whitehall High School, Huntley attended Montana State College in Bozeman, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle before graduating from the University of Washington in 1934 with a degree in speech and drama.
Huntley began his radio newscast career in 1934 at Seattle's KIRO AM, later working on radio stations in Spokane, Portland, and Los Angeles. In 1939, he joined CBS Radio, where he remained for 12 years before moving to ABC Radio in 1951. During his time at ABC, he caught the attention of NBC executives, who saw him as another Ed Murrow, a renowned journalist and news anchor.
In 1955, Huntley joined NBC Radio, and a year later, he began co-anchoring The Huntley-Brinkley Report with David Brinkley. The show's success was immediate, and it quickly became the top-rated evening news program in the country.
Huntley's journalism career spanned over three decades, during which he reported on some of the most significant events of the 20th century, including World War II, the Korean War, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The Huntley-Brinkley Report was known for its in-depth reporting, and Huntley's folksy, down-to-earth approach to journalism earned him a reputation as a trusted and beloved figure in American news.
Chet Huntley passed away on March 20, 1974, but his legacy continues to influence American journalism. He remains one of the most respected and beloved news anchors in American history, and his contributions to the field of journalism continue to inspire new generations of reporters and anchors.
Born in 1920
A renowned news anchor and correspondent who reported on significant historical events, including World War II and the Kennedy assassination, and was a pioneer of television journalism.
98 Years Old
A renowned news anchor and journalist, known for his distinctive voice and reporting on significant events, including the assassination of JFK and the Watergate scandal.
Born in 1921
A pioneering television journalist who reported on significant events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the Apollo 11 moon landing.
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Pioneering broadcast journalist who exposed Senator Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt, setting a high standard for fearless reporting.
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A renowned journalist and actor who reported on historic events like the Civil Rights Movement and World War II, and appeared in films and TV shows like "The Twilight Zone".
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A pioneering news anchor who set the standard for television journalism, known for his iconic catchphrase "That's the way it is."
