David Brinkley

 

David McClure Brinkley was an American newscaster for NBC and ABC in a career spanning over 40 years. He co-anchored NBC's top rated nightly news program, The Huntley-Brinkley Report, with Chet Huntley and thereafter appeared as co-anchor or commentator on its successor, NBC Nightly News, through the 1970's. In the 80's and 90's, Brinkley was host of the popular Sunday This Week with David Brinkley program and a top commentator on election night coverage for ABC News. Over the course of his career, Brinkley received ten Emmy awards, three George Foster Peabody Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Brinkley was born in North Carolina and while attending high school began writing for the local newspaper. He entered the military service and following his discharge moved to Washington, D.C. taking a job at NBC News - becoming a White House correspondent and in time, moving to television. The pairing of him with Chet Huntley proved very popular with audiences and they became known for their catchphrase conclusion - "Good night, Chet. Good night, David. And good night for NBC News." This sign-off was set to the second movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, played as the program credits rolled. After retiring Brinkley hosted This Week and continued to provide small commentary pieces for the show until 1997. His career lasted from the beginning of broadcast news to the information age. He died in his home in Houston, from complications after a fall.