40 Facts About Juan Williams

Early Life and Education

Juan Williams' journey from Panama to the United States and his academic achievements set the stage for his illustrious career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on April 10, 1954, in Colón, Panama, Juan Williams' parents were Rogelio L. Williams from Jamaica and Alma Géraldine Williams from Panama. The family spoke both English and Spanish.

2. Immigration: At age four, Juan and his family emigrated to the United States aboard a banana boat. They initially lived in Pleasantville, New Jersey, before settling in Brooklyn, New York.

3. Education: Juan attended Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie, New York, on a scholarship. He was elected "student clerk" for his senior year, served as editor of the school newspaper, and played sports.

4. College: After graduating from Oakwood in 1972, Juan attended Haverford College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1976.

Career Beginnings and Major Publications

Juan Williams' early career at The Washington Post and his significant publications laid the groundwork for his reputation as a respected journalist.

5. Career Beginnings: After interning at The Washington Post, Juan was hired by the newspaper in 1979. He worked as an editorial writer, op-ed columnist, and White House reporter for 23 years.

6. Political Campaign Coverage: During his tenure at The Washington Post, Juan covered every major political campaign from 1980 to 1996. He interviewed Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama.

7. Books and Documentaries: Juan authored several notable books, including "Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954–1965," which accompanied the PBS documentary series of the same name.

8. Thurgood Marshall Biography: He wrote "Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary," a biography of the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, which was listed as one of the 40 Best Biographies of all time by BookBub.

Awards and Recognition

Juan Williams' contributions to journalism have earned him numerous accolades and honors.

9. Emmy Award: Juan received an Emmy Award for his work in television documentary writing.

10. Investigative Journalism Awards: He has won awards for investigative journalism and opinion columns.

11. New York Times Notable Book: His book "Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary" was designated a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

Fox News Channel and NPR

Juan Williams' roles at Fox News and NPR showcased his versatility as a political analyst and host.

12. Fox News Channel: In 1997, Juan joined Fox News Channel as a contributor. He provided political analysis for every major political event since then.

13. Co-hosting "The Five": For seven years, he co-hosted "The Five," the network’s highly rated afternoon talk show, which saw its ratings increase each year during his tenure.

14. NPR Career: Before joining Fox News, Juan hosted "Talk of the Nation," a call-in program on NPR from 1999 to 2002. He also served as NPR’s senior national correspondent.

America's Black Forum and Other Media Appearances

Juan Williams has been a prominent voice in discussions about race relations and politics.

15. America’s Black Forum: Juan hosted a weekly national show on news focused on race relations, "America’s Black Forum," for a decade.

16. CNN and CBS News: Juan was a substitute co-host on CNN’s "Crossfire" from 1990 to 1997 and hosted "Capitol Gang Sunday" on CNN from 1995 to 1997. He was also a political analyst for CBS News from 1990 to 1993.

17. ESPN Series: Juan was a featured commentator for the ESPN series "Top Athletes of the 20th Century."

18. Oprah Winfrey’s Special: He wrote Oprah Winfrey’s first primetime television special, "No One Dies Alone," based on a story he wrote for The Washington Post Magazine.

Civil Rights Advocacy and Personal Interviews

Juan Williams' work has significantly contributed to civil rights advocacy and historical documentation.

19. Civil Rights Advocacy: Juan has been a vocal advocate for civil rights throughout his career. His book "Eyes on the Prize" is considered a definitive history of the civil rights movement.

20. Personal Interviews: Juan conducted personal interviews with notable figures such as Nelson Mandela shortly after his release from prison.

21. White House Library: His work has earned a permanent place in the White House library.

Family Life and Personal Interests

Juan Williams' personal life and interests add depth to his public persona.

22. Family Life: Juan is married, and his wife’s cooking is one of his favorite foods. He enjoys spending time in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, during the summer.

23. Favorite Quote: One of Juan's favorite quotes is "Check It Out," reflecting his approach to journalism and seeking truth.

Educational Honors and Public Appearances

Juan Williams' contributions to education and public discourse have been widely recognized.

24. Honorary Degrees: Juan has received honorary degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universities, including Macalester College, Long Island University, Willamette University, and the State University of New York at Geneseo.

25. Awards from Haverford College: He won the 1988 Haverford Award for Distinguished Service to Society and the 2016 Haverford Award for Outstanding Contributions in a Profession.

26. Public Appearances: Juan frequently appears in public forums and discussions, including recent talks at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Town Hall Seattle, The Commonwealth Club, St. Louis County Library, and City Club of Cleveland.

Recent Works and Documentaries

Juan Williams continues to produce influential works and documentaries.

27. Recent Book: His most recent book, "What the Hell Do You Have to Lose – Trump’s War on Civil Rights," is ranked as one of the top 100 Best Civil Rights Audiobooks of All Time by BookAuthority.

28. Television Documentaries: Juan has produced several critically acclaimed television documentaries, including "Politics: The New Black Power," "A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom," "Civil Rights and The Press," "Riot to Recovery," and "Dying for Healthcare."

Controversies and Apologies

Despite his achievements, Juan Williams has faced controversies throughout his career.

29. 1991 Column Controversy: In 1991, Juan wrote a column defending Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas against sexual misconduct allegations made by Anita Hill. Shortly thereafter, several female employees of The Washington Post filed sexual harassment charges against him. The paper took disciplinary action, and Juan issued an apology.

30. Schiller’s Apology: In 2010, Roger Ailes, then CEO of Fox News, made a comment about Juan's feelings about Muslims being between him and "his psychiatrist or his publicist—take your pick." Ailes later apologized for the remark.

Legacy in Journalism

Juan Williams' legacy in journalism is marked by his dedication to truth-seeking and covering significant events in American history.

31. Fox News Tenure: Since joining Fox News in 1997, Juan has provided political analysis for every major political event. His tenure at the network has been marked by significant contributions to its programming.

32. NPR’s Talk of the Nation: During his time at NPR, Juan brought the ratings of "Talk of the Nation" to record heights.

33. America’s Black Forum Hosting: Juan hosted a weekly national show on news focused on race relations, "America’s Black Forum," for a decade.

34. CNN’s Crossfire and Capitol Gang Sunday: Juan served as a substitute co-host on CNN’s "Crossfire" from 1990 to 1997 and hosted "Capitol Gang Sunday" on CNN from 1995 to 1997.

35. CBS News Political Analyst: From 1990 to 1993, Juan worked as a political analyst for CBS News.

36. ESPN Series Commentary: Juan was a featured commentator for the ESPN series "Top Athletes of the 20th Century."

37. Oprah Winfrey’s Primetime Special: Juan wrote Oprah Winfrey’s first primetime television special, "No One Dies Alone," based on a story he wrote for The Washington Post Magazine.

38. Civil Rights Leadership: Juan has been a vocal advocate for civil rights throughout his career.

39. Personal Interviews with Nelson Mandela: Following his release from prison, Juan conducted a personal interview with Nelson Mandela.

40. White House Library Recognition: Juan's work has earned a permanent place in the White House library.

Juan Williams: A Legacy in Journalism

Juan Williams' career is a testament to dedication, versatility, and impact. From his early days at The Washington Post to his influential roles at NPR and Fox News, Williams has consistently delivered insightful political analysis and compelling narratives. His work on civil rights, especially through books like "Eyes on the Prize" and "Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary," has educated and inspired many. Despite facing controversies, Williams has remained a respected voice in journalism. His interviews with global leaders, Emmy-winning documentaries, and numerous awards highlight his contributions. Whether discussing politics, race relations, or civil rights, Williams' voice has been pivotal. His legacy continues to shape journalism, making him a significant figure in American media.