American journalist and CNN anchor Aaron Brown delivers news from CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, October 9, 2001. Brown died Sunday at the age of 76. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)
Former CNN anchor Aaron Brown, the veteran broadcaster who gained international fame for his coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks, died Sunday at the age of 76, according to CNN.
Brown’s television career began in Seattle, first as assistant anchor for the night shift at KING 5 beginning in 1976, then anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast at KIRO 7 in 1986. In 1991, he hosted ABC’s nightly news program.
Ten years later, he joined CNN to host “NewsNight.” The show had not yet begun on September 11, 2001, when a group of terrorists hijacked and crashed planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Penn.
But Brown got to work, delivering calm, blunt and heartfelt reports from the roof of CNN’s Manhattan office. He became the leader of millions of viewers during one of the most important days in American history, reporting live for 17 hours, according to CNN.
Former CNN anchor and longtime reporter Aaron Brown received widespread acclaim for his coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States. He died Sunday at the age of 76, his family told CNN. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)
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CNN anchor John Vause, who also reported from New York on 9/11, recalled Brown taking off his reporter hat when the South Tower of the World Trade Center fell.
“When he was live on the air, he just stopped and watched. He got a little quiet. And he shared this moment that everyone was thinking, ‘Good Lord. There are no words,'” Vause said in a CNN report announcing Brown’s passing.
Brown won the Edward R. Murrow Award for his offensive combination.
Brown’s colleagues hailed him as “an original writer and artist” with a “biting sense of humour”. He also emphasized the importance of compassion in reporting, according to former CNN anchor Amanda Turnbull.
“His storytelling was driven by facts, but his presentation was always profound,” said Turnbull, on CNN.
American reporter and CNN anchor Aaron Brown reports from CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Oct. 9, 2001. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)
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Brown was born and raised in Minnesota. He hosted a radio talk show in Minneapolis before attending the University of Minnesota for a year in 1966, according to the university, and joining the US Coast Guard Reserve.
Brown’s departure from ABC was to lead CNN’s news program “NewsNight,” but in 2005 the network changed the program and Anderson Cooper replaced Brown.
Brown later taught journalism at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School.
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