David McClure Brinkley (1920–2003) was an American television journalist who shaped modern broadcast news. Over five decades, he became one of journalism’s most trusted voices, known for his sharp wit, clear reporting, and distinctive delivery.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Brinkley began his career writing for the Wilmington Morning Star in high school. After brief studies at the University of North Carolina and Vanderbilt University, he joined United Press International before moving to NBC News (1943.) He gained national prominence as co-anchor of The Huntley–Brinkley Report (1956–70,) where his dry humor complemented Chet Huntley’s serious tone. He later served as a lead commentator on NBC Nightly News and hosted This Week with David Brinkley on ABC (1980s.)
Brinkley authored Washington Goes to War (1988,) examining Washington, D.C.’s World War II transformation, David Brinkley: A Memoir (1995,) reflecting on his career, and Everyone Is Entitled to My Opinion (1999,) compiling his political and media observations.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by David Brinkley
People have this illusion that all over the world, all of the time, all kinds of fantastic things are happening. When in fact, over most of the world nothing is happening.
—David Brinkley
Topics: News
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.
—David Brinkley
The one function that TV news performs very well is that when there is no news we give it to you with the same emphasis as if there were.
—David Brinkley
Topics: News
Nobody in TV makes as much money as Robert Redford, who likes to make movies for several million dollars only on the condition that they contain some sort of social message. I cannot take very seriously a social message delivered by an actor who is paid nine million dollars to deliver it, and who charges you five dollars to see it.
—David Brinkley
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