August 08, 2005

Peter Jennings, 1938-2005

Charles Gibson just broke in on ABC with the news that longtime anchor Peter Jennings had died this evening of lung cancer. Jennings died at his apartment in New York City, with his family at his bedside.

Jennings' 41 year career at ABC News counted him as one of ABC's original news anchors, sitting at the helm of Peter Jennings and the News, from 1964 to 1967. Canadian-born Jennings reported from across the world after that, opening the first American television bureau in the Arab world, and helming the bureau in Rome.

In 1975, Jennings became the anchor of A.M. America, the short-lived predecessor to Good Morning America. Shortly after that stint ended, he became ABC's chief foreign correspondent, based in London.

From that London base, Jennings returned to the anchor desk in 1978 as part of the three-anchor team for World News Tonight, along with Frank Reynolds in Washington and Max Robinson in Chicago.

In 1983, Jennings became sole anchor of WNT, where he spent the rest of his life.

Jennings became the defacto managing editor of ABC News, guiding them through the 80s, 90s and into the 21st Century. Many people remember two major highlights of recent years, his marathon anchor job on ABC's mammoth ABC2000 megacast on December 31, 1999 and January 1, 2000; also his steadfastness and rock-solid demeanor amid the chaos and terror of the 9/11 disaster.

Many criticize Jennings' liberal politics, but no one can argue that among the "big three" anchors, Jennings was the most learned, and most scholarly. He was a good guy, and at least I, for one, am sorry to see him depart this life at his age.

Godspeed, PJ, and thanks for the memories.

Posted by mhking at August 8, 2005 12:06 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Amen, Mike. The only thing I can add is prayers for his family.

Posted by: steveegg at August 8, 2005 12:10 AM

this is crap.at the end of the day he was no differen't than any other addict that decided to let his demon back in the damn door.he new better.i wounder what the hell made him care so little about his self,for that is at the heart of every addiction even his.i quit smoking 8 years ago on my sons second birthday after several failed attemts i threw 4 ciggarets out of my truck window that morning that i had forgot i had around.almost every one of my kids friends who smoke have parents that smoke.we as a nation need to use peter in are fight to make it known to our young how this dragon works to diminish even are elite.certainly we are not in deniel together.in my book to call yourself a man requires that you have to have the presence to be incontroll of your own will and in the end peter new he failed

Posted by: eric johnson at August 8, 2005 11:19 AM

What an idiot. This guy was no scholar. He told us how horrible smoking was in his reports but was too stupid to listen to his own reports.

Posted by: Geoff at August 8, 2005 11:28 AM

He was good at what he was paid to do, and was apparently a very decent human being. However, I take issue with the comment that he was "the most learned and most scholarly" of the big three. To me, Brokaw was clearly more learned.

Posted by: Paul Cohen at August 8, 2005 03:57 PM

Geoff, as usual I see your in typical form.

Posted by: huch1212 at August 8, 2005 05:20 PM

Peter Jennings was a wonderful person. I had the opportunity to meet and become aquainted with peter and his wife when i was showcased as the person of the week. He was truly a caring and considerate man whom I grew to love for his compassion for mankind and his love of people. He had everything financially and physically but he still found time to come to public housing and showcase how it is to beat the odds and not become a part of your environment. I love him and will miss him dearly.

Posted by: Lynda at August 8, 2005 05:34 PM

"this is crap.at the end of the day he was no differen't than any other addict that decided to let his demon back in the damn door.he new better.i wounder what the hell made him care so little about his self,for that is at the heart of every addiction even his.i quit smoking 8 years ago on my sons second birthday after several failed attemts i threw 4 ciggarets out of my truck window that morning that i had forgot i had around.almost every one of my kids friends who smoke have parents that smoke.we as a nation need to use peter in are fight to make it known to our young how this dragon works to diminish even are elite.certainly we are not in deniel together.in my book to call yourself a man requires that you have to have the presence to be incontroll of your own will and in the end peter new he failed"

In my book, in order to be a man, you have to know how to spell "our" and know that "his self" is improper English. Maybe Jennings could never get rid of his nasty smoking habit, but at least he picked up a book once in a while. Don't be so mean.

Posted by: Pat at August 8, 2005 05:41 PM

Peter Jennings was far from being an idot. He never graduated from High School but still was able to become the Anchor and Lead Editor for one of the Major on air networks in the US. He will be missed.

Posted by: Norm Seeley at August 8, 2005 06:28 PM

Peter Jennings will be greatly missed. The WNT will never be the same.

Posted by: Janet at August 8, 2005 10:46 PM

How insensitive can one be? If you have nothing positive to say about one that has passed, then for the sake of the family, say nothing!

Posted by: Teresa at August 8, 2005 11:13 PM

How insensitive can one be? If you have nothing positive to say about one that has passed, then for the sake of the family, SAY NOTHING!

Posted by: Teresa at August 8, 2005 11:17 PM

Peter Jennings was a "lighthouse in the fog" of television journalism. He will truly be missed by the public, and his shoes will be very difficult to fill. As for those who are throwing the put-downs and smears, I pity your black-hearted ignorance..

Posted by: William at August 9, 2005 12:50 PM

Peter Jennings was a wonderful man, whom was great at his job and loved by his family, friends and the public that watched and admired him. He had more class on his worst day, than you people that don't have the consideration or social graces to keep your heartless opinions to yourselves. Hopefully when a loved one of yours passes, other people will be more considerate of your feelings than you are of his family, and friends.

Posted by: DK at August 10, 2005 12:03 AM

To Geoff and Eric Johnson: Your lack of compassion is only matched by your lack of knowledge about lung cancer and Eric, your lack of knowledge about how to spell in the English language.

First, Peter Jennings quit smoking for 20 years--around the 5th and 2nd birthdays of his children. He relapsed for a VERY SHORT TIME after 9/11. Although not a good thing, given the stress and his non-stop reporting, it is at least understandable that someone who smoked for more than 30 years would relapse at such a stressful time. But even had he not relapsed, his chance of developing lung cancer were about 35 times greater than someone who has never smoked. And many researchers believe that once you have smoked for as long as he did, the risk of developing the disease remains high forever.

Where is is written in your world that bashing a decent man who has died of a horrible disease, is okay? Compassion is a great characteristic worth spending some time developing.

Peace and Blessings to you both.

Posted by: Gayle at August 10, 2005 09:41 AM

Peter Jennings,Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather had one major thing in common.They where all card carrying liberal left wing democrats,not one of them was ever a true journalist.A true journalist has to put their political views aside while reporting on a story.None of these man where ever able to do thatThey are in very good company.Im very sorry that Peter died,God Bless his family and friends.A persons death should not make us misrepresent the facts.Peter Jennings did a great job of reporting on all stories that had no link to politics.As the years have gone by this has meant fewer and fewer stories that he could report on honestly.

Posted by: joe flynn at August 10, 2005 05:16 PM

Our family was very fortunate to be invited to bring our daughter Adora Svitak to appear on Good Morning America on Feb 23, 2005. Peter Jennings was on the show to promote his UFO documentary that day. He was extremely kind to express interest in what Adora was doing on the show. Adora has been writing since she was four years old. She was on the program to show her writing talent to the viewers. Mr. Peter Jennings showed so much interest in a little child touched us so much. We have always enjoyed watching Peter Jennings' news show the most for many years. We deeply respect his intelligence and knowledge of the world affairs. We couldn't never imagine to have the opportunity to meet such great person, let alone witness him showing interest in our child. What touched us the most is after he looked over what Adora was doing, he came to talk to us. After he was told that Adora enjoys learning about history, he took out his pen and write down the information and told us that he would send his history book to Adora and Adrianna. We couldn't believe that he would care so much to take time from his extremely busy schedule to care for a young child who loves history. Adora loves his book so much and she finished in two days and she keeps reading it over and over. We owe our daughter's present and future success to Mr. Peter Jennings. Because of his pure kindness and passion to share the knowledge of history. Our daughter becomes even more passionate about history. We just want to let the whole world know how loving, caring, generous and kind Mr. Peter Jennings is. He is the most wonderful person we have ever met! Our daughters often ask about how he is doing with his fight with his cancer. We are very hopeful that he will win the battle and come back to host the show soon. Thank you very much.

It seems that the wonderful words about Peter Jennings will never end! I am one of the very fortunate one as well. My few minutes of talking to Peter Jennings really has changed my life and my daughter's as well. Just a little than one month ago before he announced that he had cancer, our family met him on the site of ABC Good Morning America show. He came over to ask why our little seven year old daughter Adora Svitak was on the show. He just came back from visiting the affiliate station (Komo4 in seattle) from Seattle and found out that we are from Seattle as well. He was so friendly and enjoyable to talk to. He was very excited to find out what Adora is passionate about--Hisotry. He immediately asked for the address so he could send his book to her. He was so kind and didn't want to leave Adora's sister out so he wrote down her name as well. We got his signed book few days after we arrived home from NY. We will treasure the memory and the book forever!

With the impact Peter has left for this world, for the contribution he has made in the world, it's just not possible to think that he actually is gone. He can't just go! His love for this country, his love for humanity is so boundless, so moving and so inspiring, he can't just be gone! What makes a great person, so great that we all cry and feel the deep aches in our hearts? He can't be gone, he is too great to be gone! His impact and love for all of us will never be gone!

After I have read so many people's postings for Peter Jennings, I further realized how blessed I have been to have the lifetime chance to meet Mr.Peter Jennings on February 23, 2005 when I was on the show to write my story live for Good Morning America. My family is a great fan of his television program World News Tonight, and I was honored to recieve his excellent History book (The Century for Young People) after Mr. Jennings was informed of my passion for history. I was so touched that he took the time to send me the book, which I enjoyed reading greatly, as it is filled with interesting facts and interviews with people who have experienced the actual events. It is the greatest book I have read, and if you know of any young people, you should make sure to get the book for them. They will learn so much from the book just like myself. I will cherish the book as well as the experience of meeting Mr.Peter Jennings for the rest of my life (I have a long life ahead of me. I am only seven). I even take a great interest in becoming a journalist myself.

I sincerely hope that he will have a speedy recovery and I wish him the best.

Adora Svitak

I have been watching shows about Peter Jennings with my two children throughout the day. After viewing his incredible career, how much Peter has done for our lives, my nine year old daughter Adrianna said: "It doesn't seem that Peter Jennings has gone, it seems that he has lived a million years." Indeed, he has lived a million years with his intelligence, his wisdom, worldly knowledge, his generosity and love for humanity. We are so greatful that we have had Peter Jennings in our lives.
With deep love and respect
The Svitak Family
Here are two poems written by seven year old Adora Svitak who had the great privilege of meeting Peter Jennings on Feb 23, 2005.(Adora was on the Good Morning America to showcase her writing skills, Mr.Peter Jennings was curious like he had always been, he spent time watching and talking to Adora, what a beautiful sight!) Adora's life has been touched and influenced because of the love and passion Mr. Peter Jennings felt for children. We are forever grateful for Mr. Peter Jennings when he took time to send out his fabulous history book he wrote for the young people to our children. Adora loved the book so much and posted her poem on the message board.

The Century for young people

The book you made
Was excellent
It will remain in my mind forever, never to fade
To those who haven't read it, I pity
For this is a great masterpiece
Those who are buying the book now will be all jitty
Because it is so great.

Poem For Peter Jennings (From Adora)

aroda Jul 10, 2005 09:13 PM

We All Miss You

We all miss you, so come back soon
Even the babies are tapping the screen with silver spoons
We all want to hear your voice
And when we do, we shall rejoice.


The angry housewife has got all cross
Now the salmon's turned to moss
Just because you're absent from us
Nobody has the heart to catch the bus.

It seems that the wonderful words about Peter Jennings will never end! I am one of the very fortunate one as well. My few minutes of talking to Peter Jennings really has changed my life and my daughter's as well. Just a little than one month ago before he announced that he had cancer, our family met him on the site of ABC Good Morning America show. He came over to ask why our little seven year old daughter Adora Svitak was on the show. He just came back from visiting the affiliate station (Komo4 in seattle) from Seattle and found out that we are from Seattle as well. He was so friendly and enjoyable to talk to. He was very excited to find out what Adora is passionate about--Hisotry. He immediately asked for the address so he could send his book to her. He was so kind and didn't want to leave Adora's sister out so he wrote down her name as well. We got his signed book few days after we arrived home from NY. We will treasure the memory and the book forever!

Posted by: joyce at August 11, 2005 07:41 PM

I never got to meet Peter, but as a child, and even now he was always one of my greatest heros. From the time I was about 6 (I am now 20)up until my JR year of HS, I wanted to be an anchor/reporter my self. I quite frankly cried when I learned that he had passed, even though I no longer planned to be a reporter myself, I always had a great respect for him. I was quite excited when his book, The Century came out and it remains the only book that I made a point to purchace the day that it was released. For those of you that can not find something nice to say about him, please keep your thoughts to your self, You would not like it one bit if you had died and people put such things in a memoir of you, please show that respect for him and his family. Godspeed, Peter.

Posted by: Elizabeth at August 16, 2005 05:01 AM
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