Brian Williams

One of the most respected of all contemporary broadcast news pundits, Brian Williams, born May 5th, 1959, launched his career as a White House employee during the Carter administration (working his way up from intern to full-time employee), then worked as assistant administrator on the political action committee of the National Association of Broadcasters. He subsequently obtained a post working for CBS as a correspondent and anchor for several years, but made his most enduring mark when appointed to chief anchor of NBC Nightly News -- a spot that saw him covering hundreds of pivotal events including the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr., the 9/11 attacks, and Hurricane Katrina. Williams also contributed articles to periodicals including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Time Magazine, and became one of the most frequent recurring guests on talk programs including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the Late Show with David Letterman. In fall 2007, Williams guest-hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.