On December 29, 2024, Aaron Brown, a distinguished CNN anchor known for his extensive live coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, passed away in Washington, D.C. at the age of 76. His family confirmed through CNN that the cause of death was pneumonia.
Brown’s unwavering reportage of the falling of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, despite not being on duty that day, has etched an indelible mark in the annals of American journalism. He narrated the calamitous event live from CNN’s Manhattan, New York rooftop for 17 straight hours, describing the scene as the tower “collapsed in a cascade of smoke and sparks.”
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brown was born in 1948 and began his career as a radio talk show host in his hometown and later in Los Angeles, California. His break into television came in 1976 when he joined Seattle’s KING 5 as an assistant night assignment editor. His rise to prominence continued at KIRO 7, where he worked as an anchor for a decade starting in 1986, gaining recognition for his balanced and considered reporting.
In 1991, ABC News recruited Brown as the inaugural anchor of “World News Now,” their groundbreaking overnight news show. This led to him anchoring weekend editions of “World News Tonight” before transitioning to CNN in 2001.
While at CNN, Brown earned accolades for his unique approach to news delivery and his empathetic handling of intricate stories on his show “NewsNight,” which he anchored from 2001 to 2005. His coverage of the 9/11 attacks even earned him the Edward R. Murrow Award. In a 2016 interview, he humbly admitted, “It’s the only time I thought, ‘Maybe you just don’t have what it takes to do a story like this.’ Because it just had never occurred to me.”
After leaving CNN, Brown moved into academia, occupying the Rhodes Chair in Public Policy and American Institutions at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication from 2007 to 2014. He taught and mentored aspiring journalists, emphasizing the significance of storytelling and ethical reporting. He also hosted PBS’s “Wide Angle” in 2008 and 2009, bringing global news to American viewers.
Jon Auerbach, a former CNN producer, lauded Brown for prioritizing writing and craftsmanship in his work. Despite being a prime-time anchor, Brown managed to balance his personal and professional life, always making time for his family and hobbies like golf.
Fellow CNN anchor Anderson Cooper recalled Brown as “thoughtful, funny, and diligent,” adding that “he had a truly unique talent and a beautiful way with words.” Over his career, Brown received three Emmy Awards and influenced a generation of journalists with his distinctive narrative style.
Brown leaves behind his wife, Charlotte Raynor, a daughter, two grandchildren, a brother, and a sister. He is remembered for his unforgettable 9/11 coverage and his lasting contribution to journalism through his teachings and mentorship of young journalists. His legacy continues to influence the field of broadcast journalism.
