Chris Wallace is a name synonymous with hard-hitting journalism and in-depth interviews. With a career spanning over six decades, Wallace has made his mark on major networks like CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox News, and now CNN. Born on October 12, 1947, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in journalism, with his father Mike Wallace being a legendary figure in the field. From moderating presidential debates to interviewing world leaders like Vladimir Putin, Wallace has done it all. His unique style, blending humor with persistence, has earned him numerous awards, including three Emmys and a Peabody. Let's dive into 50 fascinating facts about this iconic journalist.
Key Takeaways:
- Chris Wallace, a renowned journalist, began his career at NBC and later joined ABC News before becoming the host of "Fox News Sunday." He now hosts an interview series on CNN and HBO Max.
- Known for his tough interviews and confrontational style, Chris Wallace has won multiple awards and spent over 50 years in journalism. He made history as the first Fox News anchor to moderate a general-election presidential debate.
Early Life and Education
Chris Wallace's journey into journalism began with a strong foundation in his early years. His family background and education played a significant role in shaping his career.
- Birth: Christopher Wallace was born on October 12, 1947.
- Parents: His parents, Mike Wallace and Norma Wallace, divorced when Chris was a year old. Mike Wallace later remarried in 1949.
- Stepfather: Chris’s stepfather, Bill Leonard, was a broadcast journalist who worked at CBS News and played a significant role in Chris’s early interest in journalism.
- Harvard University: Chris Wallace graduated from Harvard University, where he was in good company with notable alumni like actor Tommy Lee Jones and future Vice President Al Gore.
Career Beginnings
Chris Wallace's career took off with his decision to dive into journalism, starting with print media before transitioning to television.
- The Boston Globe: Despite being accepted at Yale Law School, Chris decided to work for The Boston Globe, where his boss described him as an "aggressive and ambitious reporter."
- City Hall Coverage: He initially covered City Hall during the time Kevin White was mayor of Boston and later became a roving national reporter.
- WBBM-TV: For a time in the early 1970s, Chris worked for the Chicago station WBBM-TV, which was owned and operated by CBS.
- Impact of Television: Chris noticed the power of television when he saw all the reporters at the 1972 political conventions watching the proceedings on television instead of in person. This experience led him to focus on broadcast television news.
Network Journalism Debut at NBC News
Chris Wallace's career in network journalism began with NBC, where he spent 14 years honing his skills and building his reputation.
- 1975: Chris began his network journalism career with NBC in 1975, where he stayed for 14 years as a reporter with WNBC-TV in New York City.
- Washington Bureau: He then transferred to NBC's Washington bureau as a political correspondent for NBC News and later served as Washington co-anchor and news reader for Today show with Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley in 1982.
- Chief White House Correspondent: Chris served as chief White House correspondent alongside contemporaries CBS's Lesley Stahl and ABC's Sam Donaldson from 1982 until 1989.
- NBC Nightly News: He anchored the Sunday edition of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1987.
- Meet the Press: Chris moderated Meet the Press from 1987 to 1988.
Career at ABC News
After leaving NBC, Chris Wallace joined ABC News, where he continued to make significant contributions to journalism.
- 1989: Chris left NBC in late 1988 for ABC, where he was welcomed by Sam Donaldson, who described him as a "plus" for the network.
- Primetime Live and Nightline: At ABC News, Chris was the senior correspondent for Primetime Live and occasionally hosted Nightline.
- Persian Gulf War Coverage: During the Persian Gulf War, Chris reported from Tel Aviv on the Iraqi Scud missile attacks. He faced a challenge when the Israeli government did not want to advertise where the Scuds landed to prevent the Iraqis from adjusting their launchers.
Fox News Sunday
Chris Wallace's tenure at Fox News Sunday marked a significant chapter in his career, where he became known for his tough interviews and moderating skills.
- 2003: Chris began hosting Fox News Sunday, a role he held until 2021. He is the only person to have anchored two Sunday public-affairs programs: NBC’s Meet the Press and Fox News’s Fox News Sunday.
- Moderating Presidential Debates: Chris became the first Fox News anchor to moderate a general-election presidential debate, moderating the final debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016.
- 2020 Debate: He was chosen again to moderate the first 2020 United States presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. After the debate, he referred to it as chaotic and unruly.
Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?
In 2022, Chris Wallace embarked on a new venture with CNN and HBO Max, hosting an interview series that showcases his interviewing prowess.
- 2022: Chris began hosting a new interview series titled Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, which airs on CNN and HBO Max.
Awards and Recognition
Chris Wallace's contributions to journalism have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
- Emmy Awards: Chris has won three Emmy Awards for his work in journalism.
- Peabody Award: He received a Peabody Award for outstanding public service in broadcast media.
- George Polk Award: Chris was awarded the George Polk Award honoring special achievement in journalism.
- duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award: He received the duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award for his contributions to journalism.
- Paul White Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris was awarded the Paul White lifetime achievement award for his dedication to journalism.
Personal Life
Chris Wallace's personal life, including his relationships and early experiences, has also shaped his career and character.
- Relationship with Father: Despite his parents' divorce, Chris developed a relationship with his father, Mike Wallace, after reconnecting at his brother Peter's funeral. The two maintained a close relationship until Mike's death.
- Stepfather’s Influence: Bill Leonard, Chris’s stepfather, was deeply involved in political journalism and played a significant role in shaping Chris’s career path.
- CBS Internship: At 16, Chris got a job as a gopher for broadcaster Walter Cronkite during the 1964 Democratic and Republican national conventions, thanks to his stepfather’s connections.
- Crush on Walter Cronkite’s Daughter: During this internship, Chris developed a crush on Walter Cronkite’s daughter, Nancy, who became his girlfriend.
- Arrest During Harvard Protest: During his senior year at Harvard, Chris was arrested during a peaceful student protest against the Vietnam War. While in custody, he used his only phone call to file a news report to campus radio station WHRB, signing off with, “This is Chris Wallace in custody.”
Notable Interviews
Chris Wallace is known for his tough and wide-ranging interviews with prominent figures, often making headlines.
- Ronald Reagan: Chris covered Ronald Reagan across the world for ABC News, including all four Reagan-Gorbachev summits.
- Vladimir Putin: He interviewed Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, asking, “Why do so many people who oppose you end up dead?”
- Mother Teresa: Chris spent a week with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, an experience he highlighted as one of his career’s most significant moments.
- Mixing Humor with Scolding: Chris is known for mixing humor with scolding and persistence with patience to guide his interviewees toward the most substantive encounters, especially during unusually vicious elections.
Comparison to Father
Chris Wallace is often compared to his father, Mike Wallace, for his confrontational interview style and dedication to journalism.
- Tough Interviews: Chris is often compared to his father, Mike Wallace, for his tough and wide-ranging interviews. Both are known for their confrontational style, which has sometimes led to controversy.
Media Appearances
Beyond his regular journalism work, Chris Wallace has made appearances on various media platforms, showcasing his versatility.
- Jeopardy: In 2012, Chris appeared on Jeopardy! during “Power Players Week,” competing against BBC journalist Katty Kay and television personality Dr. Oz. He won the game with $22,400.
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: In July 2019, Chris appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote a documentary about his father, Mike Wallace is Here.
Impact on Freedom of the Press
Chris Wallace has been vocal about the challenges facing journalism, particularly during the Trump administration.
- Trump’s Impact: In December 2019, Chris stated at the Washington Media Museum that Trump is engaged in the most direct sustained assault on freedom of the press in U.S. history.
Power Player of the Week
On Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace featured a segment called “Power Player of the Week,” highlighting influential individuals.
- Feature on Fox News Sunday: Each week on Fox News Sunday, Chris features a “Power Player of the Week,” celebrating individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and Liz Cheney.
Father-Son Relationship with Mike Wallace
The relationship between Chris and his father, Mike Wallace, had its ups and downs, impacting both their personal and professional lives.
- Acrimony in the 1990s: After a period of acrimony in the 1990s, Mike Wallace swiped an interview with comedian Chris Rock from under his son’s nose, leading to a temporary estrangement between the two.
Comparison to Other Journalists
Chris Wallace's work has often been compared to that of other prominent journalists, highlighting his unique style and contributions.
- Sam Donaldson: Sam Donaldson, his journalistic rival at ABC, described Chris as a “plus” for the network and praised his work.
- Lesley Stahl: Chris worked alongside Lesley Stahl at CBS, who is also known for her tough interviews.
Trump Debates
Chris Wallace's role in moderating presidential debates, particularly those involving Donald Trump, has been a significant part of his career.
- Deficit Spending Graphics: During the 2016 presidential debates, Chris prepared a series of graphics on deficit spending and defense to illustrate contradictions in Donald Trump’s plans. This approach antagonized Trump, who later called Chris “only a tiny fraction of Mike.”
Moderating Style
Chris Wallace's moderating style is often likened to that of a referee, aiming to keep debates focused and fair.
- Referee Analogy: Chris views his role as moderator like being a referee in a heavyweight championship bout. He aims to keep the debate focused and avoid becoming a “truth squad.”
First Fox News General Election Debate Moderator
Chris Wallace made history as the first Fox News anchor to moderate a general-election presidential debate.
- Historic Role: Chris is the first Fox News general election debate moderator in the network’s history. He expressed pride in representing Fox News during this significant event.
Personal Traits
Chris Wallace's confrontational style and persistence have defined his career, often drawing comparisons to his father.
- Confrontational Style: Chris has no denial of accusations that he likes to confront his interview subjects head-on, a trait some compare to his father’s confrontations on 60 Minutes.
Barack Obama’s Refusal to Appear
Chris Wallace's confrontational style sometimes led to notable figures avoiding his show, including former President Barack Obama.
- “Crybabies” in Obama’s Administration: Chris attributed Barack Obama’s refusal to appear on his Fox News Sunday program to “crybabies” in the president’s administration.
Bill Clinton’s Accusation
Chris Wallace's interviewing style has sometimes led to tense moments with his subjects, including former President Bill Clinton.
- Smirk During Questioning: Bill Clinton once accused Chris of having a “little smirk” during questioning, which Chris has acknowledged as part of his confrontational style.
Career Milestones
Chris Wallace's career spans over five decades, marked by numerous significant events and achievements.
- 50-Year Career: Chris has spent over 50 years in journalism, covering numerous significant events and interviewing prominent figures.
Current Work
Chris Wallace continues to contribute to journalism with his new interview series on CNN and HBO Max.
- Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?: In 2022, Chris began hosting Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, an interview series airing on CNN and HBO Max.
Chris Wallace: A Legacy of Integrity in Journalism
Chris Wallace's career, spanning over six decades, showcases his dedication to journalistic integrity and tough interviews. From his early days at The Boston Globe to moderating presidential debates, Wallace has consistently sought the truth. His work at major networks like NBC, ABC, Fox News, and now CNN, highlights his versatility and commitment. Notable interviews with figures like Ronald Reagan, Vladimir Putin, and Mother Teresa underscore his ability to handle diverse topics with depth and insight. Awards like the Emmy, Peabody, and George Polk reflect his excellence. Wallace's legacy is not just about the stories he covered but the ethical standards he upheld. His journey inspires future journalists to pursue truth with persistence, humor, and a confrontational spirit. Chris Wallace remains a beacon of journalistic excellence, ensuring the principles of ethical reporting endure.
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