Frank Blair; Anchorman on NBC’s ‘Today’ Show for 22 Years
Frank Blair, an anchorman on NBC’s “Today” show for 22 years, died at his home Tuesday. He was 79.
His death came 20 years to the day since he gave his last newscast on “Today.” He served as Washington correspondent when the show first went on the air Jan. 14, 1952, then anchored its news desk from 1953 to 1975.
Blair, a native of Yemassee, S.C., had been a premed student at the College of Charleston but quit to join a touring theater company.
He began his broadcasting career in the 1930s, working at radio stations in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. In 1937, he moved to WOL in Washington, where he covered news and special events.
Blair served in the Navy as a flight instructor and transport pilot during World War II, then returned to Washington to work for NBC’s radio operations.
He moved to Hilton Head when he retired in 1975 to spend more time with his family.
Blair is survived by his wife, Lillian, three sons and three daughters.
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