Longtime ABC anchor and reporter Tom Jarriel dies at age 89
The journalist covered Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral and the Nixon and Johnson administrations and hosted the network's flagship show, "20/20," for 20 years.
Tom Jarriel during a program on ABC News.
Tom Jarriel, one of ABC News' historic reporters and anchors, has died at the age of 89, his family said. Jarriel is especially recognized for his coverage of Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral and his chronicles of the Nixon administration. He also hosted the network's flagship program, "20/20," for 20 years
Jarriel remained with the network for nearly 40 years, joining in 1965. Three years later, he covered the historic funeral of Martin Luther King Jr., which earned him public recognition.
Shortly thereafter, in 1969, ABC named him its chief White House correspondent, covering the Nixon and Johnson administrations for the network.
Six-time Emmy Award winner
Ten years later, he became the anchor of ABC's "Weekend Report." He later became the face of the network's new prime-time news program, "20/20," where he reported on criminal justice reform and went face-to-face with leaders from around the country. In his 20 years at the helm of this show, he won numerous awards, including six Emmys, before retiring in 2002.
In a statement, ABC remembered one of its most recognizable faces: "We honor the depth and breadth of Jarriel's 38 years at ABC. We celebrate his sense of fairness, of integrity, but most of all, his humanity."
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