Jerry Nachman, MSNBC Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, passed away at his home in Hoboken, NJ, overnight. Nachman had been battling cancer for the past year; he was 57 years old.
"Jerry was well-informed, candid, witty, and charming. He was also a gifted newsman and executive, and his passing is a loss not just to NBC but to the entire profession," said Bob Wright, GE Vice Chairman and NBC Chairman and CEO, "Our hearts go out to his friends and family."
"Jerry Nachman will be remembered not only for what he brought to the news -- insight, context and a relentless search for the truth-- but also for what he brought to the newsroom -- integrity, tenacity and a refreshing splash of humor," said NBC News President Neal Shapiro. "He will be missed by all of us at NBC News."
"Jerry was a beloved member of the MSNBC family," said Erik Sorenson, MSNBC President and General Manager. "His passion for news was contagious. All of us will fondly remember Jerry's many wonderful stories about his colorful years in the news business. We will miss him greatly."
Nachman's career spanned radio, television and print. He worked in front of the camera and behind; on the street, in the newsroom and in the front office. Nachman served as the news director for WNBC-TV in New York City; Vice President, News, WCBS-TV, New York and Editor-in-Chief, New York Post. He also served for many years as an on-air street reporter for both WCBS Radio and WCBS Television in New York, and was a columnist for the New York Post. In separate assignments he was Vice President and General Manager of WRC Radio and WRC Television, both NBC-owned properties in Washington, D.C.
More recently, Nachman was employed as a staff writer on "UC: Undercover," a primetime drama that aired Sunday nights on NBC in late 2001. Nachman also worked as a staff writer on "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," returning in Election Year 2000 as executive producer. He also co-anchored the nightly public affairs broadcast "Life and Times Tonight" at KCET, the Los Angeles PBS station. In addition, Nachman co-wrote a short film for the American Film Institute that won the 1999 Academy Award in the student competition. His final assignment for MSNBC was reporting on the Michael Jackson case in California.
Nachman was the recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award, an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association and an Emmy Award, plus numerous others. He served twice as a Pulitzer Prize Juror in the Journalism competition.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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