NBC News anchor and journalist Tom Brokaw is expected to retire after 55 years on the network.
Inside a statement shared with Deadline, the veteran television journalist confirmed the decision, adding that he was “proud” to be passing the reins on to the new generation of journalists.
“During one of the most complex and consequential eras in American history, a new generation of NBC News journalists, producers and technicians is providing America with timely, insightful and critically important information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” says the communicated. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
In a statement shared with Deadline, CNN and other media, NBC said Brokaw, 80, “continue to be active in print journalism, writing books and articles, and spending time with your wife, Meredith, three daughters and grandchildren. “
NBCUniversal did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
Brokaw, best known for serving as the anchor and editor-in-chief of “NBC Nightly News” from 1982 to 2004, most recently served as special correspondent for NBC News coverage, often providing historical commentary and analysis.
Brokaw joined NBC News in 1966 at the Los Angeles Bureau, which was officially renamed after him in 2014. The journalist then moved to the NBC DC office in 1973 to serve as a correspondent for the White House.
He then became the co-anchor of the “Today” program in 1976 before assuming his role on “Nightly News”.
Brokaw is also the author of several books, including “The Greatest Generation” from 1998, which profiles people who grew up during the Great Depression and later fought for the USA in World War II.
The NBC journalist is notoriously known for being the only American TV correspondent to report on the fall of the Berlin Wall and was the first United States reporter to interview the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev.
In 2014, former President Obama awarded Brokaw the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s largest civilian tribute. Brokaw is also a Emmy Award Winner, Peabody, Dupont and Edward R. Murrow.
Journalist colleagues took to Twitter Friday to offer Brokaw messages of thanks for his decades-long contributions to journalism, with several calling his retirement “the end of an era”.
The end of the NBC News era: this afternoon NBC will announce that Tom Brokaw is formally retiring after an extraordinary 55 years with the network
– Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 22, 2021
End of an Era: “Veteran news anchor and senior correspondent Tom Brokaw will retire from NBC News after 55 years on the network,” according to NBC.
– Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) January 22, 2021
I’m sad to hear @tombrokaw is ending his legendary 55-year career in @NBCNews, but very grateful to learn from an absolute icon. Enjoy retirement, Tom! pic.twitter.com/43OIZVnoTP
– Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) January 22, 2021
55 years … what you saw, what you went through. God bless you @tombrokaw. You did an amazing job ❤️ https://t.co/Dug2yZV7oG
– Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 22, 2021
In 2018, Brokaw was accused of sexual harassment by two women, with one, former NBC News employee Linda Vester, performing publicly. Vester accused Brokaw of inviting to her hotel room while she was in New York and then started making unwanted strides, including supposedly trying to kiss her.
Brokaw vehemently denied the accusations at the time, calling them “shooting” and “assault”.