Ann Curry

For the British historian, see Anne Curry.

Ann Curry (born November 19, 1956) is an American journalist and photojournalist,^[2] who has been a reporter for more than 30 years, focused on human suffering in war zones and natural disasters. Curry has reported from the wars in Kosovo, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Afghanistan, Darfur, Congo and the Central African Republic.^[3] Curry has covered numerous disasters, including the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, where her appeal via Twitter topped Twitter's 'most powerful' list, credited for helping speed the arrival of humanitarian planes.^[4]

Ann Curry
Curry in 2022
Born	(1956-11-19) November 19, 1956 (age 66) Agaña,^[1] Guam, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Oregon
Occupation	Journalist
Years active	1978–present
Spouse	Brian Ross ​ (m. 1989)​
Children	2

In June 2012, she became the national and international correspondent-anchor for NBC News and the anchor at large for the Today show. She was co-anchor of Today from June 9, 2011, to June 28, 2012, and the program's news anchor from March 1997 until becoming co-anchor. She was also the anchor of Dateline NBC from 2005 to 2011.^[5]

On January 13, 2015, it was announced that Curry would be leaving NBC News after nearly 25 years.^[6] In January 2015, Curry founded her own multi-platform media startup.^[7] She continued to conduct major news interviews on network television, including securing an exclusive interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in 2015 about the Iran nuclear talks.^[8] She hosted and produced We'll Meet Again with Ann Curry from 2018 to 2019 on PBS.

Early life and education

Ann Curry was born in Agaña, Guam, the daughter of Hiroe Nagase and Robert Paul "Bob" Curry.^[1] Her mother is Japanese, and her father, an American from Pueblo, Colorado, had Irish and German ancestry.^[9][1] Her parents met when her father, a career United States Navy sailor,^[10] worked as a streetcar conductor during the United States occupation of Japan after World War II.^[11][12] Although he was transferred out of Japan, he returned two years later to marry Nagase.^[11] Curry is the eldest of five children.^[11]

Curry lived in Japan for several years as a child, and attended the Ernest J. King School on the United States Fleet Activities Sasebo naval base in Sasebo, Nagasaki. Later, she moved to Ashland, Oregon, where she graduated from Ashland High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1978.^[13]

Career

1978–1989

Curry began her broadcasting career in 1978 as an intern at then NBC-affiliate (now CBS-affiliate) KTVL in Medford, Oregon.^[14] There she rose to become the station's first female news reporter. In 1980, Curry moved to NBC-affiliate KGW^[15] in Portland, where she was a reporter and anchor. Four years later, Curry moved to Los Angeles as a reporter for KCBS-TV and received two Emmy Awards while working as a reporter from 1984 to 1990.

1990–2012

In 1990, Curry joined NBC News, first as the NBC News Chicago correspondent then as the anchor of NBC News at Sunrise from 1991 to 1996. Curry also served as a substitute news anchor for Matt Lauer from 1994 to 1997 at Today. From 1997 to 2011, she served as news anchor at Today, becoming the show's second-longest serving news anchor, behind Frank Blair, who served in that capacity from 1953 to 1975. During this time, she also served as a substitute anchor for Today. On June 24, 2005, Curry was named co-anchor of Dateline NBC with Stone Phillips; she remained as the primary anchor when Phillips left on July 2, 2007, until she replaced Meredith Vieira on Today in 2011. She was the primary substitute on NBC Nightly News from 2005 to 2011.

 

Curry covering the 2009 Commander in Chief's Ball, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen

Curry has reported on major international stories, filing stories from places such as Baghdad, Sri Lanka, Congo, Rwanda, Albania, and Darfur. Curry hosted NBC's primetime coverage and highlights of the Live Earth concerts on July 7, 2007, and also contributed with interviews for the special with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Al Gore. Curry reported from the USS Theodore Roosevelt during the invasion of Afghanistan in November 2001, and had an exclusive interview with General Tommy Franks. She reported from Baghdad in early 2003, and then from the USS Constellation as the war in Iraq began. Curry was also the first network news anchor to report from inside the Southeast Asian tsunami zone in late 2004.^{[citation needed]}

On December 17, 2007, Curry bungee-jumped off the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough, England, to raise money for charity. Her jump was shown live on the Today show.

In 2009, Curry traveled to Iran, where she interviewed then-President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad days before Ahmadinejad traveled to America to speak in front of the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2011, Curry appeared in the first PBS Kids Sprout "Kindness Counts" public service announcement.

Departure from Today

In June 2012, Curry was widely reported as being replaced as co-host of Today. Curry hired attorney Robert Barnett to represent her in her discussions with NBC.^[16][17][18] On June 28, Curry announced in an emotional broadcast on the show that she was leaving Today. She signed a new multiyear contract with the network as NBC News national and international correspondent/anchor and Today anchor-at-large. Her departure had led to some discussions about racism, particularly as she was one of the most prominent Asian-American journalists on the national stage.^[19]

For a time, she led a seven-person unit producing content and reporting for NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (for which she also was a regular substitute anchor), Dateline NBC, Rock Center with Brian Williams, Today, and MSNBC. Curry also anchored multiple NBC News primetime specials.^[20][21] On August 9, 2012, Curry made her first post-departure appearance on Today, when she reported a story during the show's coverage at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The reunion with her former co-anchor, Matt Lauer, was described in the media as "tense", "awkward", and "chilly".^[22][23] In September 2013, Lauer said he was disappointed in the way the media reported Curry's departure.^[24]

In January 2015, Curry was announced as officially leaving NBC News.^[25]

2015–present

 

Curry in 2017

In June 2016, she moderated a panel discussion between the Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga at the 84th annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis.^[26] In July 2017, PBS announced a new documentary television series We'll Meet Again with Ann Curry hosted and co-produced by Curry.^[27] In November 2017, she attended WE Day at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.^[28] In 2018, she also spoke at two other WE Day events, in Seattle and in Toronto.^[29][30]

In January 2018, Curry returned to television with her PBS series, We'll Meet Again. Developed by her own production company, the series focused on 12 stories of people searching for individuals who changed their lives.^[31][32] She then appeared on The View as guest co-host on January 23, 2018, where she addressed the controversies surrounding her departure from Today.^[33] In 2019, Curry hosted TNT/TBS’s Chasing the Cure.^[34][35]

Career timeline

• 1978–1980: KTVL reporter
• 1980–1984: KGW reporter and anchor
• 1984–1990: KCBS reporter
• 1990–2015: NBC News^[36]
  • 1990–1991: NBC News Chicago bureau correspondent
  • 1991–1996: NBC News at Sunrise anchor
  • 1996: Weekend Today interim anchor
  • 1994–1997: Today substitute news anchor
  • 1997–2011: Today news anchor and substitute anchor
  • 2005–2007: Dateline NBC co-anchor
  • 2005–2011: NBC Nightly News substitute anchor
  • 2007–2008: Today 4th hour co-host (with Hoda Kotb and Natalie Morales)
  • 2007–2011: Dateline NBC anchor
  • 2011–2012: Today co-anchor
  • 2012–2015:
    • Today anchor-at-large
    • NBC News national and international correspondent
    • NBC News special anchor
• 2018–2019: PBS' We'll Meet Again docuseries
• 2019: TNT and TBS' Chasing the Cure^[37]

Personal life

Curry was raised Catholic by her mother, who was a convert to the religion.^[11] Curry is married to Brian Ross, a software executive, whom she met in college. They have a daughter, McKenzie, and a son, William Walker Curry Ross. The family lives in New Canaan, Connecticut.^[38]

Charitable work

• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation^[39]
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation^[39]
• AmeriCares^[39]
• Save the Children^[39]
• Médecins Sans Frontières^[39]
• Airline Ambassadors International^[39]
• buildOn^[40]

Awards and honors

• Emmy Awards, presented for coverage of the 1987 Los Angeles earthquake and for reporting on the explosion of a San Bernardino gas pipeline^[41] and a third in 2007 for her reporting on NBC Nightly News about the Darfur crisis.^[42]
• Golden Mike^[43] (four times),^[44] presented by Radio and Television News Association of Southern California
• Quinn Award, Los Angeles Press Club.^[45]
• Certificate of Excellence, Associated Press^[46]
• Gracie Award, presented by the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television^[47]
• Excellence in Reporting, presented by the NAACP^[48]
• Vision Award, presented by the Asian American Journalists Association,^[49]
• Pioneer Award, presented by University of Oregon, 2003^[50]
• Truth in Media Award, presented by the Centre for Responsible Leadership^[51]
• Hall of Achievement induction, University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, 2002^[10][41]
• Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service, presented by PNC Bank for outstanding achievements in mass communications, 2008^[52]
• Honorary Doctorate in Journalism from Southern Oregon University on May 6, 2010, after giving the commencement address^[53]
• Curry received an honorary degree from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island on May 16, 2010.^[54]
• Curry received an honorary doctorate from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, on May 22, 2010,^[55] where she also delivered the keynote address to the graduating class. The address briefly gained national news attention as she cited several famous alumni in her speech, only one of whom had graduated from the college. All the other "alumni" had graduated from the Wheaton College in Illinois. Curry later apologized for the gaffe.^[56]
• Ann Curry Scholarship for University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication Broadcasting Students, 2002^[10]
• Member of the board of directors of the International Women's Media Foundation^[57]
• Former member of the board of trustees of the University of Oregon^[58]
• Member of the board of the American Friends of Yahad-In Unum^[59]

See also

• List of journalists in New York City

References

1. Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 22, 2019
2. Isger, Sonya, "Hear NBC's Ann Curry talk about her photography at the Photographic Centre in West Palm Beach", The Palm Beach Post, Saturday, December 5, 2009
3. "Ann Curry – About Us", "Today.com"
4. "Ann Curry's Haiti Tweet Tops Twitter's 'Most Powerful' List", "PC Magazine", December 14, 2010
5. , NBC official biography
6. Battaglio, Stephen (January 13, 2015). "Ann Curry leaves NBC News to form her own production company". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
7. . January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015.
8. "Iran Foreign Minister Zarif: 'We will never have a bomb'", "NBCNews.com", March 5, 2015
9. "Mixed Race: America's Fastest Growing Population". Marie Claire.
10. Mack, Ann (Fall 2003). . Flash. University of Oregon. 18 (1). Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
11. Guideposts: "Telling Stories of Hope – Find out why Ann Curry says journalism is an act of faith and how she finds stories of hope among all the suffering" By Ann Curry retrieved November 10, 2013
12. Curry, Ann (January 18, 2018). "Ann Curry Says Her Parents' Love Story Inspired Her to Become a Journalist". Woman's Day. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
13. Clehane, Diane (December 30, 2009). "SO WHAT DO YOU DO, ANN CURRY, NEWS ANCHOR, THE TODAY SHOW?". Mediabistro.com. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
14. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (January 23, 2018). "Ann Curry: I Learned To Cuss In The Newsroom". Archived from the original on December 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
15. David Stabler (May 15, 2011). "Ann Curry, about to take over Today co-anchor post, stays grounded in Oregon roots". The Oregonian.
16. . Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
17. "NBC discussing plan to remove Ann Curry as host". Boston.com. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
18. "Rumors of Ann Curry's departure from 'Today' pick up steam". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
19. "Ann Curry's Dismissal: An Asian-American's Perspective". Huffington Post. July 11, 2012.
20. Page, Susan (June 28, 2012). "'Today' co-host Ann Curry will bid farewell today". USA Today.
21. . NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
22. Ravitz, Justin (August 9, 2012). "Ann Curry Has Tense Reunion With Matt Lauer on First TODAY Show Appearance Since Ouster". Us Magazine.
23. "Ann Curry and Matt Lauer back together at Olympics for an awkward moment". New York Daily News. August 9, 2012.
24. Fussman, Cal. "MATT LAUER: WHAT I'VE LEARNED". Esquire. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
25. Stelter, Brian (January 14, 2015). "Ann Curry exiting NBC News." CNN.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
26. Mallenbaum, Carly (June 26, 2016). "The Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga got together to chat". USA Today. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
27. Sefton, Dru (July 31, 2017). "Luna arrives, Ruffman returns and more from the PBS Press Tour". Current. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
28. Otarola, Miguel (November 8, 2017). "Thousands of youths celebrate at annual WE Day in St. Paul". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
29. Pittman, Travis (April 5, 2018). "Russell Wilson, Ciara head WE Day Seattle lineup". KING-TV. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
30. Smith, Ainsley (September 13, 2018). "Everyone confirmed to attend WE Day Toronto this month". Daily Hive. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
31. Coyne, Kate; Corinthios, Aurelie (January 17, 2018). "Ann Curry on Her Reaction to the Matt Lauer Scandal: I Was 'Outraged'". People. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
32. "Ann Curry returns to TV with her PBS series, "We'll Meet Again"". CBS News. January 17, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
33. Corinthios, Aurelie (January 23, 2018). "Former Today Anchor Ann Curry Says Megyn Kelly's Jane Fonda Clapback Was 'Not Journalism'". People. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
34. de Moraes, Lisa (January 23, 2018). "Ann Curry Tells 'The View': "I Did Not Have A Button In My Office" At 'Today'".
35. "What to Watch on Thursday: Ann Curry, expert doctors are Chasing the Cure for medical mysteries". Entertainment Weekly. August 8, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
36. . wktv.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
37. Strohm, Emily (September 5, 2019). "How Ann Curry's New Show Is Using Crowdsourcing to Crack Undiagnosed Medical Mysteries". People. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
38. "Waking Up on the Wrong Side of a Rating War". The New York Times. April 18, 2013.
39. Pace, Giacinta (July 27, 2007). "Cause Celeb: Ann Curry". NBC News. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
40. . Moffly Media. 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
41. . Irish America. April–May 2005. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006. (archived 2006)
42. Gold, Matea (September 25, 2007). "PBS is star of news Emmy show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 25, 2007.^{[dead link]}
43. "RTNA". rtna.org. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
44. College, Reed. "NBC Today Show anchor and Oregon native Ann Curry discusses her news career on November 5". reed.edu. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
45. "Joseph M. Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement". Los Angeles Press Club.
46. "Ann Curry". today.com. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
47. "Dateline wins Gracie Allen awards". nbcnews.com. March 2, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
48. "Ann Curry - International Women's Media Foundation". iwmf.org. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
49. . aaja.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
50. "Lynn Frohnmayer to receive Pioneer Award - Media Relations". uoregon.edu. April 30, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
51. Leadership, Centre for Responsible. "Responsible Leaders Summit to Honour Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Johnson & Johnson's Alex Gorsky, Statkraft's Christian Rynning-Tonnesen and Renowned Journalist Ann Curry with Leadership Awards". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
52. Awards, Common Wealth. "Close, Howard, Curry, Hansen to Receive 29th Annual Common Wealth Awards". prnewswire.com. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
53. "Happy Birthday To New Canaan's Ann Curry". dailyvoice.com. November 19, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
54. "News anchor Ann Curry to speak at PC commencement". Boston.com. April 19, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2017 – via The Boston Globe.
55. . Wheaton College. May 22, 2010. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
56. Dykes, Brett Michael (May 2, 2010). . Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010.
57. . iwmf.org. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
58. "The Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon". UO. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
59. "American Friends of Yahad-In Unum - Yahad-In Unum". yahadinunum.org. Retrieved February 28, 2017.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ann Curry.

• Ann Curry on Twitter  
• Ann Curry at IMDb
• Ann Curry at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
• Ann Curry on the Muck Rack journalist listing site  

Media offices
Preceded by Meredith Vieira	Today Co-Anchor June 9, 2011 – June 28, 2012 with Matt Lauer	Succeeded by Savannah Guthrie
Preceded by Matt Lauer	Today Show News Anchor 1997–2011	Succeeded by Natalie Morales
Preceded by Jane Pauley	Dateline NBC anchor 2005–2011 with Stone Phillips 2005–2007	Succeeded by Lester Holt