Brian Douglas Williams is an American journalist and broadcaster who rose to fame through ten years of anchoring. The talented TV anchor mastered the craft of anchoring in shows like NBC-Nightly News the evening news program on the channel. Barely six months into the news network, he was awarded the Peabody Award for excellent coverage of Hurricane Katrina. The award was given to him and his team for highest stands of journalistic excellence.
Ironically, in February 2015,Williams was suspended for 6 months from Nightly News for misrepresenting certain facts and events in the course of his coverage of Iraq War in 2003. After the suspension term ceased, Brian William was based as the Chief Breaking News Anchor for MSNBC.Apart from his professional skills, Williams is interested in music and thoroughly enjoys auto-racing.
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Early life and Background
Born on May 5, 1959 in Elmira, New York he was the fourth child of the family. He was raised in Middle-town, New Jersey. He received his elementary education from the Catholic University of America and George Washington University respectively. He never completed his complete education and joined workforce before achieving graduation. His early life was marked with colorful career choices. He started off as a volunteer fire-fighter and then became an intern for President Jimmy Carter. It was the epic year of 1981, when he began his broadcasting career in Pittsburg. Soon he was hired in 1987 by WCBS-TV in New York City and the rest is history.
Career Achievements
Always hardworking, Williams kept climbing the ladder of success, even in the face of rejection and upsets. From being a White-House correspondent to being a CNBC and MSNBC anchor he cruised brilliantly ahead. He debuted with the show ‘The News with Brian Williams’ in 1996. This show was formerly hosted by Tom-Brokaw for 23 years but Williams was considered to be a potential successor of it. He had been critically acclaimed for the Hurricane Katherine case which boosted his public image. Lastly, he has been the driving force of all national politics and a go-to person for coverage of Presidential Elections.
General entertainment and comedy are the two other genres that have added a feather in his cap. He has made appearances on the Jon Stewart’s –The Daily Show and has been a host of ‘Saturday Night Live’.
Brian Williams – Wife and Children
He was married in the year 1986, to freelance television producer Jane Stoddard. The couple is happy with two of their children named Doughlas Williams and Allison Williams.
Allison Williams is an actress and is featured in the show ‘Girls’ airing in HBO.
Controversies – Brian Williams’ Suspension Reason
‘I am sorry’ were the words that came out of his mouth when he was found guilty of fabrication. He was apologetic for giving contradictory statements about being in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. He stated the same issue in a number of media channels but the truth came out in open by a military soldier who didn’t remember him on board. This however had repercussions on his career that got him suspended from his show.
Williams’ latest gaffe, albeit not so serious, went viral with social media on March 22, 2016. He called award winning journo Eugene Robinson ‘ Putlizer Prize-winning communist’. He actually intended to say ‘columnist’ but ended up saying ‘communist’ much to Robinson’s amusement.
Brian Williams – Net Worth and Salary
The broadcaster is hardly to be affected by such a suspension with his annual salary being $10-13 million approximately. He is estimated to have a net-worth of $40. Since he was found guilty of his actions and was charged a penalty of $6.5 million.
House
In 1993, Brian Williams purchased a 3,448 sq ft house for $ 750K. This home is a vintage pad located in New Canaan, Connecticut. Built in 1890, this 2.5 acre property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a beautiful swimming pool.