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Factsheet

• Began his news career selling the Houston Chronicle as an elementary-school student; he later reported for the paper from 1954 to '55.
• Was the first guest on David Letterman's late-night CBS show.
• As a correspondent for CBS News, he helped the station snag seven Peabody Awards; he has personally won more than 20 News Emmys.
• Has published numerous books, including The American Dream (2001), The Camera Never Blinks Twice: The Future Adventures of a Television Journalist (1994), The Camera Never Blinks (1977) and The Palace Guard (1974).
• Was the inspiration for the title of R.E.M.'s 1994 song "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" Rather was asked that question by two men who accosted him outside his Manhattan apartment in a 1986 incident. Rather later sang along when the band performed the song on Letterman's show.
• Delivered his final newscast as the CBS Evening News anchor in March 2005, 24 years after taking over the position from Walter Cronkite.
• Began hosting the weekly newsmagazine Dan Rather Reports in November 2006 on HDNet.
• Voiced an animated version of himself on an episode of The Simpsons (2008) and in a 2010 Simpsons anniversary special; portrayed himself on several episodes of Dirty Sexy Money (2007, 2008).
• Known for using folksy, colorful and humorous analogies (sometimes referred to as "Ratherisms") while delivering the news. One such example, from the 2004 U.S. presidential election: "Kerry's rapidly reaching the point where he's got his back to the wall, his shirttail's on fire and the bill collector's at the door."