• Bryant Gumbel is an American TV journalist and sportscaster, best known for co-hosting the NBC morning news and talk show “Today” for 15 years.
• He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1948, and attended the private Catholic co-educational secondary school De La Salle Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
• He joined NBC in 1975 and became the host of “Today” in 198•
• He has won more than 20 awards, including four Emmys, three National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
• As of March 2022, his net worth has been estimated at more than $25 million.
Known for movies
Short Info
Net Worth | $18 million |
Date Of Birth | September 29, 1948 |
Spouse | Hilary Quinlan, June Baranco |
Fact | He is of Louisiana Creole descent. |

Contents
- 1 Who is Bryant Gumbel?
- 2 Early life and education
- 3 Bryant’s early career
- 4 The show “Today”
- 5 Career after “Today”
- 6 Other credits
- 7 Awards
- 8 Love life and wife
- 9 Hobbies and interesting facts
- 10 Age, height and net worth
- 11 General Info
- 12 Family
- 13 Accomplishments
- 14 Social profile links
- 15 Facts
- 16 Pictures
- 17 Movies
- 18 Awards
Who is Bryant Gumbel?
Bryant Charles Gumbel was born in New Orleans, Louisiana USA, on 29 September 1948 – his zodiac sign is Virgo, and he holds American nationality. He’s a TV journalist and sportscaster, who’s probably known best for the 15 years which he spent co-hosting the NBC morning news and talk show “Today”.
Early life and education
Bryant was raised in New Orleans alongside his brother Greg, and sisters Renee Gumbel-Farrahi and Rhonda Gumble-Thomas, by their father Richard Dunbar Gumbel who was a judge, and their mother Rhea Alice (nee LeCesne) who was a city clerk.
Bryant was raised Catholic, and attended the private Catholic co-educational secondary school De La Salle Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
He was interested in a couple of activities during his four years there, as he played football for the school, and also wrote about high school sports for the school’s newspaper. Bryant was urged by his father to focus on his education, which was why he spent more time studying than playing sports.
Upon matriculating in 1966, Bryant enrolled at Bates College, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Russian history in 1970.
Bryant’s early career
Bryant launched his career in 1971, when he became the editor of the monthly “Black Sports Magazine”, a job he held for around a year, when he was invited to join the network KNBC as their sportscaster in October 1972.
Bryant began attracting attention in November 1975, when he joined NBC Sports and started hosting their show “Grandstand”, which covered the National Football League (NFL). He went on to host various events for NBC between 1975 and January 1982, including NFL, college basketball and Major League Baseball (MLB) – Bryant then focused solely on hosting the show “Today”.
The show “Today”
It was revealed by NBC in June 1981 that the now-retired TV journalist and author Thomas John ‘Tom’ Brokaw would no longer be hosting “Today” after May 1982, and that they were looking for his replacement.
Many NBC News correspondents auditioned for the job, including Chris Wallace and Jessica Savitch; Bryant auditioned by chance, because he was once a last-minute fill-in for the show’s anchor Jane Pauley. Thomas retired a bit earlier than he had initially planned, on 18 December 1981, and Bryant took his place on 4 January 1982, while Chris Wallace was also hired to work for the show as the chief White House correspondent.
In the first two years of Bryant and Chris taking over the reins, the show “Today” was falling behind in views to “Good Morning America”, however, this changed after Bryant was sent to report from Moscow, Soviet Union in February 1984.
Seeing how this had boosted their views, Bryant was then sent to report from various European and Asian countries, including Vietnam, and also from several South American countries, such that by 1986 “Today” ranked higher than “Good Morning America”.
“Today” fell behind “Good Morning America” again in the first half of 1990, and only returned to first place in December 1995. Bryant finally left the show on 3 January 1997.
Career after “Today”
In 1997 and 1998, Bryant hosted the CBS show “Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel”, and his 1998 episode “The Reckoning” won him a Peabody Award; the show was still cancelled after only a single season.
Between 1 November 1999 and 17 May 2002, he hosted “The Early Show” on CBS, and was amongst the first people to announce the 9/11 attacks to viewers.
Since 1995, Bryant has been hosting the HBO’s investigative show “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”, which in 2012 won a Peabody Award.
Other credits
Bryant appeared in the 1993 episode “The Puffy Shirt” of the critically acclaimed comedy series “Seinfeld”.
He made a guest appearance in the 2005 comedy movie “The Weather Man”, which starred Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine.
Awards
Bryant has won more than 20 awards, including four Emmys, three National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Foreign Affairs work from the Overseas Press Club, and an African-American Institute Leadership Award.
Love life and wife
Bryant prefers to keep the details of his love life to himself, but it’s still widely known that he has married twice. He exchanged vows with the non-celebrity American June Baranco in 1973, in a private ceremony attended by only the closest of their friends and family members. She gave birth to their two children during the the late ‘70s, but Bryant and June have been keeping them away from the media’s attention, wanting the children to be able to lead normal lives.
The two divorced in 2001, apparently because Bryant had fallen in love with Hilary Quinlan, an American model, author and researcher. They’ve been together since they exchanged vows in 2002.
As of March 2022, Bryant’s married to his second wife Hilary Quinlan, and has two children with his first wife June Baranco.
Hobbies and interesting facts
Bryant weighed around 240lbs (110kgs) in 2002, so then put himself on a special diet, and lost 55lbs (25kgs) in the following seven months.
He’s still into travelling, and Bryant’s career has taken him all around the world, while his dream travel destination seems to be Barcelona in Spain.
Bryant’s a philanthropist, and has taken part in many fundraisers, while he occasionally donates money to charity organizations working with underprivileged children.
He likes to watch movies late at night – favorite actor and actress are Jim Carrey and Meryl Streep, while a couple of Bryant’s favorite films include “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective – When Nature Calls”, “Bruce Almighty” and “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.
Age, height and net worth
Bryant’s age is 73. He has short black hair and brown eyes, his height is 5ft 9ins (1.75m) and he now weighs around 155lbs (70kgs).
As of March 2022, his net worth has been estimated at more than $25 million.
General Info
Full Name | Bryant Gumbel |
Net Worth | $18 million |
Date Of Birth | September 29, 1948 |
Height | 1.75 m |
Profession | Journalist, Screenwriter, TV Personality, Sports commentator, Actor, Newscaster |
Education | Bates College |
Nationality | American |
Family
Spouse | Hilary Quinlan, June Baranco |
Children | Jillian Beth Gumbel, Bradley Christopher Gumbel |
Parents | Richard Dunbar Gumbel, Rhea Alice Gumbel |
Siblings | Greg Gumbel, Renee Gumbel-Farrahi, Rhonda Gumbel-Thomas |
Accomplishments
Awards | Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Journalism, Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Long Feature, NAACP Image Award – President's Award |
Nominations | Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host, News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Interview/Interviewer(s) - Segments, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Host in a Talk, Reality, News/Information or Variety Seri... |
Movies | Life Below the Line: The World Poverty Crisis, An American Thanksgiving, Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World, 4. Episode 4, 3. Episode 3, 2. Episode 2 |
Social profile links
Facts
# | Fact |
---|---|
1 | He is of Louisiana Creole descent. |
2 | Father of Jillian Beth Gumbel (born in 1983) and father-in-law of William Russell Robins (born in 1984) who married in November 2011. |
3 | Battling lung cancer, had surgery in November to remove a malignant tumor on his chest [December 8, 2009]. |
4 | Son Bradley Christopher (b. 1978) and daughter Jillian (b. 1984). |
5 | Engaged to model and former Goldman Sachs analyst Hilary Quinlan (as of April 2002). |
6 | Seen on camera muttering "What a f****** idiot" after interviewing FRC spokesman Robert Knight in 2000. |
7 | Younger brother of Greg Gumbel. |
Pictures
Movies
Actor
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
The Weather Man | 2005 | Bryant Gumbel | |
Cosby | 1999 | TV Series | Bryant Gumbel |
Bryant Gumbel/Walt Disney World Celebrity Golf Tournament | 1999 | TV Movie | |
The Nanny | 1997 | TV Series | Bryant Gumbel |
Contact | 1997 | Bryant Gumbel | |
Heaven Can Wait | 1978 | TV Sportscaster (uncredited) |
Writer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel | 2005 | TV Series story 4 "Tragedy to Triumph" - 1 episode | |
Main Street | 1986 | TV Series documentary | |
Major League Baseball All-Star Pregame Show | 1981 | TV Movie |
Self
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel | 1995-2016 | TV Series | Himself - Host / Himself - Correspondent (segment "Live Mascots") / Himself |
Harry Benson: Shoot First | 2016 | Documentary | Himself |
Brain Surgery Live with Mental Floss | 2015 | TV Special documentary | Himself - Host |
CBS This Morning | 2015 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
Charlie Rose | 2015 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
Today | 1983-2014 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Co-Host / Himself - Guest / ... |
Katie | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Live with Kelly and Michael | 2004-2012 | TV Series | Himself - Guest Co-Host / Himself - Host / Himself - Guest Host |
The View | 2010 | TV Series | Himself - Guest Co-Host |
Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals | 2010 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Entertainment Tonight | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
Life on the Edge: A Global Crisis | 2008 | TV Movie | Himself - Host |
NFL Thursday Night Football | 2007 | TV Series | Himself - Play by Play Announcer |
Who's Who of World Giving | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Host |
Life Below the Line: The World Poverty Crisis | 2007 | TV Movie | Himself |
An American Thanksgiving | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Host |
Encore with John Palmer | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Wait 'Til Next Year: The Saga of the Chicago Cubs | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
ESPN 25: Who's #1? | 2004-2006 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
National Health Test with Bryant Gumbel | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Host |
Acts of God | 2005 | Video documentary | Himself - Host |
The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame... | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
Flashpoints USA with Bryant Gumbel and Gwen Ifill | 2003-2004 | TV Series | Himself - Co-Host |
The N Word | 2004 | Documentary | Himself |
The New Roswell: Kecksburg Exposed | 2003 | TV Movie | Himself |
UFO Invasion at Rendlesham | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Host |
The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence | 2002 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Host |
Survivor | 2000-2002 | TV Series | Himself - Host |
ESPN SportsCentury | 2000-2001 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Late Show with David Letterman | 1993-2001 | TV Series | Himself |
Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Early Show | 2000 | TV Series | Himself - Host |
Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards | 1999 | TV Special | Himself |
The Rosie O'Donnell Show | 1997-1999 | TV Series | Himself |
Pablo Escobar: King of Cocaine | 1998 | TV Movie documentary | Host |
28th NAACP Image Awards | 1997 | TV Special | Himself |
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1997 | TV Special | Himself - Host |
Late Night with Conan O'Brien | 1997 | TV Series | Himself |
The Chris Rock Show | 1997 | TV Series | Himself |
Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel | 1997 | TV Series | Host |
10th Anniversary Essence Awards | 1997 | TV Special | Himself |
Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story | 1996 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
InterNight | 1996 | TV Series | |
Golf: The Greatest Game | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | |
Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Seinfeld | 1993 | TV Series | Himself |
Black to the Promised Land | 1992 | Documentary | Himself |
Late Night with David Letterman | 1982-1992 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Guest |
Dateline NBC | 1992 | TV Series documentary | Himself - Contributing Anchor (1994-1997) |
The Hard Way | 1991 | Himself | |
The More You Know | 1989 | TV Series | Himself |
Lou Rawls Parade of Stars | 1986-1989 | TV Series | Himself |
21st NAACP Image Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Himself |
Main Street | 1986 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration | 1986 | TV Special documentary | Himself |
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1985 | TV Series | Himself |
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1984 | TV Special | Himself - Host |
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1983 | TV Special | Himself - Host |
The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1983 | TV Special | Himself - Co-Presenter: Creative Arts Awards |
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1982 | TV Special | Himself - Host |
Early Today | 1982 | TV Series | Himself - Anchor |
Saturday Night Live | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
Tomorrow Coast to Coast | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
NBC's NFL '81 | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
1981 MLB All-Star Game | 1981 | TV Special | Himself - Pregame Host |
Major League Baseball All-Star Pregame Show | 1981 | TV Movie | Himself |
Super Bowl XV | 1981 | TV Special | Himself - Pre-Game Host |
Super Bowl XV Pre-Game Show | 1981 | TV Movie | Himself |
1980 AFC Championship Game | 1981 | TV Movie | Himself - Sideline Reporter |
Macy's 54th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1980 | TV Movie | Himself - Host |
1980 World Series | 1980 | TV Mini-Series | Himself - Pregame Host / Trophy Presentation |
World Series Pre-game Show | 1980 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
NBC's NFL '80 | 1980 | TV Series | Himself |
Games People Play | 1980 | TV Series | Host |
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story | 1980 | TV Movie | Himself |
1979 AFC Championship Game | 1980 | TV Special | Himself - Sideline Reporter |
91st Tournament of Roses Parade | 1980 | TV Movie | Himself |
Magic vs. Bird: The 1979 NCAA Championship Game | 1979 | TV Movie | Commentator |
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1979 | TV Special | Himself - Host |
1979 MLB All-Star Game | 1979 | TV Special | Himself - Pregame Host |
Major League Baseball: An Inside Look | 1979 | TV Series | Host |
1978 AFC Championship Game | 1979 | TV Special | Himself - Sideline Reporter |
World Series Pre-game Show | 1978 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
Super Bowl XI | 1977 | TV Special | Himself - Sideline Reporter / Trophy Presentation |
88th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade | 1977 | TV Movie | Himself - NBC Host |
1976 AFC Championship Game | 1976 | TV Movie | Himself - Sideline Reporter |
Archive Footage
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Extra | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Himself |
The Eighties | 2016 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Himself - The Today Show |
Entertainment Tonight | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
Media Buzz | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
Inside Edition | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Above the Fray: The Lessons of Dukakis '88 | 2014 | Documentary short | Himself |
The Battle of Amfar | 2013 | Documentary short | Himself (uncredited) |
Woody Allen: A Documentary | 2012 | Documentary | Himself (uncredited) |
Queen: Days of Our Lives | 2011 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The 2011 Comedy Awards | 2011 | TV Special | Himself |
30 for 30 | 2010 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
NASCAR: The Ride of Their Lives | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story | 2008 | Documentary | Himself - News Anchor |
Journeyman | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
Larry King Live | 2007 | TV Series | Himself - Newscaster |
September Clues | 2007 | Documentary | Himself - CBS Anchor |
Celebrity Debut | 2006 | TV Movie | Himself |
American Experience | 2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Seinfeld: Inside Look | 2005 | TV Series documentary short | Himself |
Spin | 1995 | Documentary | Himself |
The Panama Deception | 1992 | Documentary | Himself (uncredited) |
Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt | 1990 | Documentary | Himself - News Reporter |
Awards
Won Awards
Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Humanitas Prize | Humanitas Prize | Children's Live-Action Category | Main Street (1986) |
Nominated Awards
Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special) | Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (1995) |
2012 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2010 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2009 | Daytime Emmy | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special Class Special | Life on the Edge: A Global Crisis (2008) |
2009 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2008 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2007 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2006 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2005 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
2002 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
1999 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
1998 | Emmy | Sports Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Host | |
1985 | Daytime Emmy | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special Class Program | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1984) |
1984 | Daytime Emmy | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Coverage of Special Events - Host or Hostess | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1983) |
1983 | Daytime Emmy | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Coverage of Special Events - Performers | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1982) |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia