Peter Jennings

Highest Rated: 78% Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)

Lowest Rated: 78% Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)

Birthday: Jul 29, 1938

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

One of broadcasting's last true luminaries, anchorman and reporter Peter Jennings became one the most respected and trusted faces in the world of televised news. Jennings found early success as a young journalist in radio and local television in his native country of Canada. After impressing a network executive while covering the 1964 Democratic Convention, he was offered a position with ABC News in New York City. Within a year, Jennings was placed in the anchor's seat on the nightly news at the unbelievably young age of 26. His tenure, however, was short, and before long he was out in the field as a Middle East correspondent for ABC. As a reporter, Jennings shone brightly, providing breaking coverage of such momentous events as the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972. Later, the more seasoned reporter was brought back to take over "ABC World News Tonight" (1953- ), and in his second run at the job led the nightly broadcast to ratings gold. In addition to his regular duties as a newscaster, Jennings anchored numerous investigative specials, authored a best-selling book, won several Emmy Awards, and a Peabody Award. While at the top of his game, and poised to become the last of the "Big Three" with the departures of rival anchors Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw, he was suddenly diagnosed with lung cancer in the summer of 2005. By August of that year, the disease had mercilessly claimed Peter Jennings, an icon of broadcast journalism, appreciated for his erudition and respected for his unassailable integrity.