Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American television and radio broadcaster and news anchor, who was best known as the anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–1981). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll.
He reported many events from 1937 to 1981, including bombings in World War II, the Nuremberg trials, combat in the Korean and Vietnam War, the Dawson's Field hijackings, Watergate, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the death of Walt Disney, and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy, civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr., and Beatles musician John Lennon.
He was also known for his extensive coverage of the U.S. space program, from Project Mercury to the Apollo 11 Moon landings and to the Space Shuttle. He was the only non-NASA recipient of an Ambassador of Exploration award.
Cronkite was well-known for his departing catchphrase: "And that's the way it is," followed by the broadcast's date. His departing catchphrase was especially notable in his voice role as Captain Neweyes in the 1993 Universal Pictures animated film We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story.
For Disney, he narrated the Epcot attraction Spaceship Earth from 1986 to 1994. He also hosted the short "Back to Never Land" at The Magic of Disney Animation attraction, alongside Robin Williams. Additionally, he was spoofed by Genie in Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
Gallery[]
