Lew Wood was an American journalist and public relations professional known for his work with CBS News and NBC News. He anchored the news for NBC’s Today Show from 1975 to 1976 and reported on major historical events, including the Civil Rights Movement and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Later in his career, he transitioned into public relations, training corporate executives and serving as the National Director of Public Relations for the American Legion.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1929, Wood attended Howe High School before earning a degree in speech and broadcasting from Purdue University. He began his broadcasting career in 1952 at WDZ-AM in Decatur, Illinois, and moved to WSBT in South Bend, Indiana, the following year, working as a reporter and cameraman while anchoring the evening news.
Wood’s national career began when he joined CBS News as a correspondent, covering major historical events of the 1960s. He reported on the Civil Rights Movement, including marching with Martin Luther King Jr., and was part of CBS’s coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Texas in 1963.
After his time at CBS, Wood became a news anchor for WNBC in New York before being named the third-ever news anchor for NBC’s Today Show in 1975. However, his tenure on Today lasted only one year before the program underwent a format change, and he was succeeded by Floyd Kalber. Wood later joked that his departure was due to “illness and fatigue” because the producers were “sick and tired” of him.
Following his departure from Today, Wood transitioned into public relations, training Fortune 500 executives in media relations and serving as the National Director of Public Relations for the American Legion. He retired in 2006 after a successful second career.
Wood passed away on August 21, 2013, in California at the age of 84.
