Dick Cavett

Dick Cavett, a television personality, has had a long-standing presence on nationally broadcast television in the United States from the 1960s to the 2000s. His career began modestly as a copyboy at Time magazine, but quickly ascended as he started writing jokes for Jack Paar, the host of "The Tonight Show." Cavett's knack for wit and humor soon led him to become a talent coordinator for the same show. This position saw Cavett penning the famous introduction line for Jayne Mansfield and acting as an interpreter for Miss Universe of 1961, Marlene Schmidt of Germany. The breadth of Cavett's skills didn't stop at writing. He also briefly performed as a stand-up comic at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village.

However, it was Cavett's own talk show that truly cemented his place in the American television landscape. Since 1968, Cavett hosted his show intermittently on various networks including ABC, CBS, PBS, USA Network, CNBC, and Turner Classic Movies. His show, known for focusing on controversial people or subjects, earned Cavett a reputation as "the thinking man's talk show host" for his ability to engage guests in intellectual conversation and mediate between contentious guests. His interviewing skill extended to a wide array of personalities, from popular musicians like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix to political figures like John Kerry. Cavett's influence has been recognized by his peers, with Stephen Colbert citing him as a major influence in his own interviewing style.

In addition to his work on television, Cavett has made significant contributions to the written word. He has written online columns for The New York Times, co-authored two books, and currently maintains a blog titled "Talk Show: Dick Cavett Speaks Again." Despite battling clinical depression, which he has openly discussed, Cavett has remained active in his various roles. He was recently seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert promoting the HBO special, Ali and Cavett: The Tales of the Tapes. His dedication to his craft has been recognized with numerous accolades, including 10 Emmy nominations, three wins, and induction into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 1991.