First Host of Today Show

Missouri has always been a proving ground for journalists hoping to make a name for themselves. Dave Garroway was perhaps one of the brightest examples of that high bar, although he didn’t even set out to be a radio or TV star. Fate put him in the right place at the right time to pioneer a show that became one of the most successful TV franchises in broadcast history.

When Garroway began hosting “The Today Show” on NBC, it was a far cry from how it looks today. But the show he began became a rating juggernaut and continues to break ground more than 50 years after it first hit the air.

Early Years:

David Cunningham Garroway was born on July 13, 1913 in New York but was raised in the St. Louis area. Early in life, his family moved more than a dozen times before finally settling in University City. He graduated from University City High before making the short trek across town to attend Washington University. He earned a degree in psychology in 1935, then ventured out into the world to make his mark.

Rise To Fame:

Once Garroway graduated from college, he set his sights on moving back to the east coast. He took several jobs along the way, including working in a lab at Harvard University, and later as a salesman. None of those careers seem to fit his ambitions, so he decided to try his hand at broadcasting.

In his mid-20’s, Dave got an entry level job as a page at NBC in 1937 where he made $16 a week. He worked at that job while also being a part of the network’s school for announcers, where he had a rather “unremarkable” record, finishing second to last in the class of 24 aspiring broadcasters. Even with the dismal performance at NBC training, he was still able to land a job at a radio station in Pittsburg where he made a name for himself by going to great lengths to get stories. After 2 years of working his way up the ladder, he proved himself ready for a higher profile job in a bigger marker; Chicago.

His time in Chicago was short lived, as he enlisted in the Navy during World War II, but his work on the radio continued as he did a radio show in Hawaii. After leaving the armed services, he went back to Chicago, where he also got a taste of life as a TV personality.

Show Me Success:

Garroway At Large debuted in 1949, which was his first exposure to a nationwide audience. The program was a musical variety show that was broadcast live from Chicago. It turned out to be a big hit with audiences across the country and made him an in-demand media talent. As his broadcast resume grew, so did the opportunities, which eventually led to the television job that would make him a star.

Garroway’s legacy was cemented in broadcast history in 1952 with the debut of The Today Show. It was a far cry from the news-centered show that people are familiar with today. Garroway’s role was doing interviews with celebrities and newsmakers, all while hosting the show with his pet monkey, J. Fred Muggs. Garroway became a household name as the new breakfast show became a popular way for millions of Americans to start their days. He starred in that role for nearly 10 years before leaving Today after the death of his second wife. He surprisingly left the $350,000 a year job to care for their young children.

Those closest to him say that he often lamented leaving the show because he could never recreate the success that he had at NBC. He had suffered from depression throughout much of his life, even isolating himself from the public and focusing solely on his job. Garroway died in 1987 from suicide at his home outside of Philadelphia at the age of 69. His son claimed that Dave never fully recovered from an open-heart surgery and was dealing with side-effects from the surgery and illness which led to his tragic death.

Extra, Extra:

• Garroway wrote a children’s book entitled Fun on Wheels, which was designed to be read on road trips.
• He was married 3 times and had 3 children.
• Garroway has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in University City.
• Barbara Walters got her start at NBC as a writer for Garroway’s show.