NBC's Jim Cummins, a TV news veteran whom I was fortunate enough to work with at my very first job at WTMJ in Milwaukee more than 30 years ago, has died.
Michelle Greppi of TV Week writes:
Jim Cummins, who worked his way up through Midwest stations to a three-decade career as a correspondent with NBC News, died Friday. He was 62 and had been diagnosed with cancer after retiring from NBC News earlier this year.In an e-mail to staffers, NBC News President Steve Capus described Mr. Cummins as “a gentle giant of a man” who had “spent decades making Americans feel right at home, with his down-to-earth, warm reporting style, delivery and presence. During a distinguished career with NBC News, Jim covered all kinds of breaking news assignments and memorable features.”
He is survived by wife Connie and six children, who Mr. Capus said were with him when he died.
“Jim and Connie had a vision for life after NBC. A damnable cancer diagnosis came a short time after he left the job, and those plans took a backseat to a courageous battle,” Mr. Capus said.
Capus put it very well - Jim was a gentle giant and his warm reporting style was so effective in today's whirlwind, "cram it all into 22 minutes" broadcast newscasts. I remember him carefully re-reading his scripts and then revising to match the film. I remember him digging on the phone. He was a terrific listener. He could stay calm and clear-headed amidst the frenzy of a newsroom or of a chaotic breaking news event. And he had a huge heart. As a young reporter, I was so impressed.
I never would have lasted in TV news as long as I did if I hadn't started off working with and learning from some terrific journalists - Cummins, and Pete Wilson who died recently after a long career in San Francisco TV news, certainly at the top of the list.
Posted by schwitz at October 29, 2007 09:40 AM | TrackBack