Former CNN anchor Aaron Brown, 76, died on Sunday, according to news shared by his family.
Brown, who began his career at a local TV station in Seattle, was a founding host of ABC News’s “World News Now” and also anchored the outlet’s “World News Tonight Saturday” program, according to CNN, who first shared the news of his death.
He later joined CNN and in the early 2000s he anchored the show “NewsNight.”
Brown rose to prominence for his coverage of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — the date of his first appearance on CNN. He reported on the terrorist attacks for 17 hours.
He was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for his 9/11 coverage, the outlet reported.
After leaving CNN, Brown became a professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Support for the late journalist poured in from his former colleagues and others at CNN.
Anderson Cooper, anchor of “AC360” praised Brown for his broadcasting skills.
“Thoughtful, funny, and diligent, he had a truly unique talent and a beautiful way with words,” Cooper said, as reported by CNN.
John Vause, a presenter for CNN International, expressed gratitude for all that he had learned from Brown, who had reportedly taught him that saying “I don’t know” is acceptable in an industry that demands efficiency and certainty.
“That’s one of the greatest things he taught me as a reporter,” Vause said, as reported by the outlet. “But he also taught me to certainly lift my game and be a much better reporter, to be ready for those questions that only he could ask.”
In a post on the social platform X, former CNN anchor Brian Stelter also honored Brown’s legacy.
“Aaron Brown has died. He was one of the greatest anchors in CNN history. “NewsNight,” circa 2001 to 2005, was all Aaron: from his thoughtful writing and rigorous questioning, to “the whip” around the world with correspondents, to his trademark preview of the morning papers,” Stelter wrote.
Legal pundit and analyst Jeffrey Toobin also took to X to applaud the late anchor’s legacy.
“#aaronbrown was different from any other journalist, any other person, I’ve known,” Toobin wrote. “He had an extraordinary literary sensibility, but he understood video and pictures.”
“No-degree intellectural. Casino evictee for counting cards at blackjack. Obsessive golfer. Farewell, dear friend,” he added.
