Bill Moyers

American journalist and commentator
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Quick Facts
Born:
June 5, 1934, Hugo, Oklahoma, U.S.
Awards And Honors:
Emmy Award

Bill Moyers (born June 5, 1934, Hugo, Oklahoma, U.S.) is an American journalist who was especially known for his television programs that aired on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Moyers originally trained for the Baptist ministry; he was ordained in 1954 and received a master of divinity degree from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1959. During that time he also studied journalism (B.A., 1956) at the University of Texas. In 1961 he joined the Peace Corps and soon became its deputy director (1962–63). Following the assassination of U.S. Pres. John F. Kennedy in 1963, Moyers became special assistant to Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, and from 1965 to 1967 he served as Johnson’s press secretary.

Moyers subsequently focused on journalism. He created and hosted the public affairs program Bill Moyers Journal on PBS (1972–76, 1979–81, 2007–10) and served as a news analyst for CBS News (1981–86). In 1987 he formed Public Affairs TV, Inc., for which he produced such television specials and series as A World of Ideas (1988, 1990), Healing and the Mind (1993), Genesis (1996), Now with Bill Moyers (2002–04), Bill Moyers on Faith and Reason (2006), and Moyers & Company (2012–14). He derived a number of best-selling books from the programs.

The recipient of numerous honours, Moyers won more than 30 Emmy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award (2006).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.