Tom Jarriel, a 19 Emmy Award-winning veteran broadcaster who was a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, has died. He was 89.
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Jarriel, a distinguished journalist who received 19 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, passed away while receiving care at an undisclosed nursing home in Annapolis, Maryland. He suffered a stroke in 2023, and his son, Steve, confirmed to The New York Times that complications from this medical event led to his death.
Born in Georgia and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Jarriel began his career in broadcast journalism in 1958 at Houston’s KPRC. He joined ABC News in 1965, where he swiftly garnered national acclaim for his coverage of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tom Jarriel Joins ’20/20′, Leading to Coverage of a Wide Range of Stories
The year 1979 marked a turning point in Jarriel’s career, as he was appointed anchor of ABC’s Weekend Report and became a part of the network’s emerging primetime news magazine, “20/20.”
Jarriel delivered a widely praised report on female members of the armed forces who have reported experiences of rape and sexual abuse while serving their country. However, he regarded his series of reports on the struggles of children in Romanian orphanages as “the defining story of my career.”
Jarriel retired from journalism in 2002.
Geraldo Rivera, who was also a correspondent for “20/20,” honored Jarriel with a heartfelt tribute on social media. “He was an excellent, award winning reporter and gracious colleague on 20/20, a true gentleman,” Rivera wrote on X. “Condolences to Tom’s wife Joan and family,” he added.
Meanwhile, generations of TV viewers flooded the YouTube comments to ABC News’ segment on Jarriel’s passing.
“Tom Jarriel and Ernie Anderson were the voices of my childhood,” one person wrote. “RIP Sir. My condolences to your family and loved ones. He was a great anchor and reporter,” a second fan added. A third person offered: “low key, high impact…thank you Mr Jarriel we will miss you…”
Jarriel is survived by his devoted wife, Joan, with whom he spent 67 years, and by their three sons.