Peter Jennings
- Born:
- July 29, 1938, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Died:
- August 7, 2005, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- Canadian, American (naturalized)
- Profession(s):
- Journalist, News Anchor
Early Life and Education
- Son of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news executive Charles Jennings.
- Started his broadcasting career at the age of nine with a CBC radio children's program.
- Left high school before graduating, focusing on his broadcasting career.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his television career at CJOH-TV in Ottawa.
- Joined ABC News in 1964.
- Became anchor of ABC's evening newscast in 1965, a position he held until 1967.
- Served as ABC's foreign correspondent, based in Rome and later London.
- Returned to the anchor chair in 1978 as part of a three-anchor format.
- Sole anchor of World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005.
- Known for his calm and authoritative reporting style.
- Reported extensively on major international events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Persian Gulf War, and the September 11th attacks.
Notable Works
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Various | World News Tonight | Anchor |
| 1990 | Peter Jennings Reporting: From the Killing Fields | Correspondent/Anchor |
| 1995 | Peter Jennings Reporting: Hiroshima: Why the Bomb Was Dropped | Correspondent/Anchor |
Awards and Recognition
- Several Emmy Awards for his journalistic work.
- George Foster Peabody Awards.
- Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards.
Legacy and Impact
Peter Jennings was a highly respected and influential journalist, known for his dedication to international news coverage and his calm, authoritative anchoring style. His tenure at World News Tonight helped shape the landscape of American television news. The discussion surrounding Peter Jennings' biography marriages that last, while interesting, is separate from his professional accomplishments and journalistic legacy.