Ranker NewsList RulesOnly news anchors popular on American television.
TV news anchors have a long history of being trusted sources for world news and events. The best news anchors don't just report the news. They dissect current events and put them into perspective, often having a profound effect on politics and public opinion. Who are the most influential news anchors of all time? This list helps decide as it covers legends of American news broadcasting, including both active and retired news anchors!
In the olden days, names like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite carried much weight. In the age of the 24-hour news cycle, there are even more newscasters and TV personalities out there talking politics. Fox News brings us stars like Shepard Smith and Bill Hemmer while CNN has the likes of Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer. While women historically didn't have access to anchorwomen opportunities, a number of prominent female journalists have since risen through the ranks. In 1976, Barbara Walters was tapped as the first woman to co-anchor a nightly news program. Since then, many famous female reporters have followed in her footsteps such as Diane Sawyer and Connie Chung.
Who are the most trusted news anchors of all time? Help decide below by voting the most influential names in journalism to the top of the list!
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1,085150Walter Cronkite
Dec. at 93 (1916-2009)Birthplace: Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States of America
Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast... more2
591125David Brinkley
Dec. at 83 (1920-2003)Birthplace: Wilmington, USA, North Carolina
David McClure Brinkley (July 10, 1920 – June 11, 2003) was an American newscaster for NBC and... more3
552124Edward R. Murrow
Dec. at 57 (1908-1965)Birthplace: USA, North Carolina
Edward Roscoe Murrow (born Egbert Roscoe Murrow; April 25, 1908 – April 27, 1965) was an... more4
625154Peter Jennings
Dec. at 67 (1938-2005)Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings (July 29, 1938 – August 7, 2005) was a... more5
701220Tom Brokaw
Age: 80Birthplace: Webster, South Dakota, United States of America
Thomas John Brokaw (; born February 6, 1940) is an American television journalist and author,... more6
451133Harry Reasoner
Dec. at 68 (1923-1991)Birthplace: Dakota City, Iowa, United States of America
Harry Truman Reasoner (April 17, 1923 – August 6, 1991) was an American journalist for ABC and... more7
540180Ted Koppel
Age: 80Birthplace: Nelson, United Kingdom
Edward James Martin Koppel (born February 8, 1940) is a British-born American broadcast... more8
361118Hugh Downs
Age: 99Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
Hugh Malcolm Downs (born February 14, 1921) was a retired American broadcaster, television... more9
809336Jane Pauley
Age: 69Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950), known as Jane Pauley, is an American television... more10
344111John Chancellor
Dec. at 69 (1927-1996)Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
John William Chancellor (July 14, 1927 – July 12, 1996) was an American journalist who spent... more11
760333Lesley Stahl
Age: 78Birthplace: Lynn, Massachusetts, United States of America
Lesley Rene Stahl (born December 16, 1941) is an American television journalist. She has spent... more12
427170Tim Russert
Timothy John Russert (May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008) was an American television journalist and lawyer who appeared for more than 16 years as the longest-serving moderator of NBC's Meet the Press. He was a senior vice president at NBC News, Washington bureau chief and also hosted an eponymous CNBC/MSNBC weekend interview program.
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483208Diane Sawyer
Age: 74Birthplace: Glasgow, Kentucky, United States of America
Lila Diane Sawyer (born December 22, 1945) is an American television journalist. Sawyer has... more14
311118Chet Huntley
Dec. at 63 (1911-1974)Birthplace: Cardwell, Montana, United States of America
Chester Robert "Chet" Huntley (December 10, 1911 – March 20, 1974) was an American television... more15
280106Howard K. Smith
Howard Kingsbury Smith (May 12, 1914 – February 15, 2002) was an American journalist, radio reporter, television anchorman, political commentator, and film actor. He was one of the original members of the team of war correspondents known as the Murrow Boys.
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644316Dan Rather
Age: 88Birthplace: Wharton, Texas, United States of America
Dan Irvin Rather Jr. (; born October 31, 1931) is an American journalist. Rather began his... more17
298120Roger Mudd
Age: 92Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Roger Harrison Mudd (born February 9, 1928) is a retired American broadcast journalist who was... more18
405183Sam Donaldson
Age: 86Birthplace: El Paso, Texas, United States of America
Samuel Andrew Donaldson Jr. (born March 11, 1934) is an American former reporter and news... more19
262102Eric Sevareid
Dec. at 80 (1912-1992)Birthplace: Velva, North Dakota, United States of America
Arnold Eric Sevareid (November 26, 1912 – July 9, 1992) was an American author and CBS news... more20
700403Andrea Mitchell
Age: 73Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Andrea Mitchell (born October 30, 1946) is an American television journalist, anchor, and... more21
487273Barbara Walters
Age: 91Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Barbara Jill Walters (born September 25, 1929) is an American broadcast journalist, author,... more22
21092Frank Reynolds
Dec. at 60 (1923-1983)Birthplace: East Chicago, Indiana, United States of America
Frank James Reynolds (November 29, 1923 – July 20, 1983) was an American television journalist... more23
236112Jim Lehrer
Age: 86Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, United States of America
James Charles Lehrer (; born May 19, 1934) is an American journalist and novelist. Lehrer is... more24
284148Brit Hume
Age: 77Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Alexander Britton "Brit" Hume (born June 22, 1943) is an American conservative television... more25
280160Cokie Roberts
Age: 76Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Roberts (née Boggs; born December 27, 1943), best known... more
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