Tim was Born ...:
... in Buffalo, New York. His parents, Elizabeth and Timothy Joseph Russert – affectionately called “Big Russ” – were a homemaker and sanitation worker, respectively. They were married 30 years before separating. They had four children, and Tim was the second oldest.
Growing Up with Tim ...:
... was growing up in Catholic school – he went to Canisius High School in Buffalo – and the only boy among three sisters – Betty Ann, Kathleen and Patricia.
After high school, Tim attended John Carroll University in Cleveland, where he received his undergraduate degree, and Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he garnered his honors Juris Doctor.
Both while an undergraduate and a grad student, Tim would book concerts for the schools. One of his most famous is booking then unknown Bruce Springsteen for $2,500.
The Early Years:
Before becoming the longest running host of NBC’s Meet the Press, Tim worked on New York Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s senatorial campaign in 1976. He then served as Moynihan’s chief of staff. His political career kept moving along, as he became counselor and chief spokesperson for New York Governor Mario Cuomo.
Becoming a Talk Show Host:
In 1984, he left politics for a life in front of the camera, becoming a member of NBC News. After successfully arranging for an exclusive interview with Pope John Paul II – his first on American television – Tim went on to become Washington bureau chief.
Tim became host of Meet the Press in 1991 and was the longest running host of the Sunday morning interview program before his sudden death of heart failure on June 13, 2008. He was 58.
And Just for Fun:
- Known for his affection for both his son, Luke, and his father, Big Russ. Wrote a book, “Big Russ and Me” to detail his dedication to his father – and fatherhood.
- Known for his research and prep prior to Sunday morning interviews with political luminaries.
- Made his dry erase board a fixture of the 2000 and 2004 elections. He’d use the dry erase board to tally votes needed to win the election.
- Won 48 honorary doctorates and several journalism awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Award. He even received an Emmy Award for his coverage of former President Ronald Reagan’s funeral.
- Coined the terms “Red State” and “Blue State.”
- Was married to Maureen Orth, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair.
