Bryant Gumbel, Now 76, Stood by Matt Lauer and Advocated Against the NRA: A Brief Look Back

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Today, media personality and journalist Bryant Gumble is 76 years old. Best known for 15 years as one of the more popular anchors of the Today Show, Gumbel went on to host Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel for twice that long. This is his story.

A Closer Look

Bryant Gumbel was born September 28, 1948, in New Orleans, the son of Rhea Alice (née LeCesne), a city clerk, and Richard Dunbar Gumbel, a judge. Raised Catholic, Gumble attended and graduated from De La Salle Institute in Chicago, while growing up on the Windy City’s South Side.

In 1970, he graduated from Bates College with a degree in Russian history. One year later, he became editor of Black Sports, leaving in 1972. In October of that year, he began his TV career with a position as a sportscaster for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles.

In the fall of 1975, Gumbel was hired by NBC Sports as co-host of the network’s National Football League pre-game show, GrandStand with Jack Buck. From 1975 until January 1982, Gumble hosted numerous sporting events for NBC.

That same year, he replaced Tom Brokaw and became the first African-American lead anchor for The Today Show.

After his tenure on Today ended, Gumble returned to the Peacock network to host the 1988 Summer Olympics and other events.

In 2023, Gumbel was honored at the 44th annual Sports Emmys, where he received a lifetime achievement award.

Meanwhile, his show, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, became one of the most lauded TV programs in history, with 37 Emmys, duPonts, and Peabodys.

Controversial Topics

Bryant Gumbel has experienced his share of not-so-bright moments in the spotlight.

Exhibit A: Gumbel once defended Matt Lauer, his former colleague from the Today Show, who was credibly accused of sexually harassing employees on that daily news series. “He’s my best buddy,” Gumbel said in 2017 after the allegations emerged. “I was the best man at his wedding. He was the best man at mine. I still love him!”

Exhibit B: In an interview from 2015 with Rolling Stone, Bryant railed against the NRA, saying that there were few things in America that he hated more. “There are a few things I hate more than the (National Rifle Association). I mean truly. I think they’re pigs. I think they don’t care about human life. I think they are a curse upon the American landscape. So we got that on the record,” he was quoted as saying.

Beyond the Public Eye

Bryant Gumbel has been married to Hilary Quinlan since August 24, 2002. He was previously married to June Carlyn Baranco, with whom he had two children.