Jane Pauley
In 1976, at age 25, Pauley succeeded Barbara Walters as co-host of NBC's 'Today,' becoming one of the most recognizable faces in American morning television. Her 13-year run alongside Tom Brokaw and Bryant Gumbel made her a national institution.
Indiana Beginnings
Born in Indianapolis, Pauley was a speech and debate standout before launching her news career there in 1972. She moved quickly to Chicago and then to network television.
Morning Star
At just 25, she succeeded Barbara Walters on NBC's 'Today,' co-anchoring with Tom Brokaw and later Bryant Gumbel for 13 years. She became a fixture of American mornings.
A Lasting Career
After leaving 'Today,' Pauley anchored 'Dateline NBC' for over a decade and hosted her own talk show. In 2016 she took the helm of 'CBS Sunday Morning,' a role she continues to hold.
Career Timeline
- 1972Begins TV news career in Indianapolis
- 1975Anchors news at WMAQ-TV in Chicago
- 1976Joins NBC's 'Today' as co-host at age 25
- 1980Co-anchors 'Today' alongside Bryant Gumbel
- 1989Departs the 'Today' show
- 1992Co-anchors 'Dateline NBC' with Stone Phillips
- 2003Leaves 'Dateline NBC'
- 2004Launches 'The Jane Pauley Show'
- 2014Joins 'CBS Sunday Morning' as a contributor
- 2016Named permanent host of 'CBS Sunday Morning'
Biggest Hits
- A fifth-generation Hoosier, Pauley was a high-school speech and debate champion before entering broadcasting.
- When she took over 'CBS Sunday Morning' in 2016, she became the only woman ever to permanently host a Sunday morning news program.
Portrait: David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons