British journalist David Frost, famed for Nixon interviews, dead at 74

[News_Editor]

LONDON, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- British journalist David Frost, who was best known internationally for coaxing an apology from former U.S. President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal, died Saturday after suffering a heart attack on board a cruise ship, his family said on Sunday. He was 74.

Frost died unexpectedly on late Saturday evening when he suffered a heart attack while on board the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, where he was due to give a speech. The vessel had left the English port of Southampton on Saturday and is expected to arrive in the Portuguese capital of Lison on Tuesday.

"Sir David died of a heart attack last night aboard the Queen Elizabeth which is a Cunard (cruise) liner where he was giving a speech. His family are devastated and ask for privacy at this difficult time," his family said in a written statement, adding that a private funeral will be held in the near future.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Frost made a "huge impact" on television and politics, calling his interviews with Nixon among the great broadcast moments. "Sir David was an extraordinary man - with charm, wit, talent, intelligence and warmth in equal measure," he said.

Frost became famous in Britain in the 1960s with his television satire show "That Was The Week That Was," but he achieved fame worldwide when he interviewed Nixon three years after his resignation and coaxed an apology from him for his role in the Watergate scandal and the subsequent cover-up.

"I'm sorry," Nixon confessed to Frost. "I let down my friends. I let down the country. I let down our system of government and the dreams of all those young people that ought to get into government but will think it's all too corrupt and the rest. ... Yep, I let the American people down. And I have to carry that burden with me for the rest of my life."

The famed journalist interviewed many, from presidents and prime ministers to royalty and celebrities, but also wrote seventeen books and produced several films during his five-decade career. He worked for several employers, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Al Jazeera English.

"You couldn't write the history of broadcasting today without realizing the huge influence David had on it," BBC Director-General Tony Hall said. "From satire to comedy to the big political interviews, for more than 50 years he brought us the history of the world we live in today, that's the mark of the man."

Frost is survived by his wife Carina and their three sons.

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)

[Scott]

A chapter has been closed. A great and trusted journalist. RIP

[7by7]

From That Was The Week That Was, known as TW3.

Probably the first satirical programme on British television, it ran from 1962 to 1963.

[Mosha]

Best known for talking to Trickie Dickie. As a Brit it means more to me, that he gave The 2 Ronnies their big break.

RIP

[phutoie2]

Just read his obit. A capable footballer who turned down Notts Forest to go to Cambridge University.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ToddWeston]

A true legend, 74 is far too young.

I asked my Father why he wore red socks - he replied they came with his Knighthood.

[GentlemanJim]

What a shocker! A reminder of our own mortality. RIP David, part of the good old institution.

[bannork]

http://youtu.be/abTLsBxkIQc

Monty Python's classic satire of David Frost

[Songhua]

Very popular in Australia too. RIP Sir David.

[Sing_Sling]

A true great in his field

[NeverSure]

"I'm sorry," Nixon confessed to Frost. "I let down my friends. I let down the country. I let down our system of government and the dreams of all those young people that ought to get into government but will think it's all too corrupt and the rest. ... Yep, I let the American people down. And I have to carry that burden with me for the rest of my life."

No mention of his wife and children who stood bravely by him on national television, even in disgrace.

Frost was well known and liked in America. RIP.

[Seismic]

I grew up throughout the "Frost Years", He was always highly regarded for his Integrity and his journalistic skills. RIP,

[geriatrickid]

His ego was a bit too much for me and he was overhyped. Sorry, if that goes against the prevailing opinion.

I remember this interview when he tried to embarrass PM Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano. She put him in his place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1W4iQKQzo#t=331

Yes, his interviews with Nixon were interesting, but those were two egos in need of each other, feeding off of the other.

Yes, he could give a lively interview, but he could also fall flat.

He ended up at Al Jazeera and that says it all. It never was about journalism and its lofty principles. Rather it was about ego, fame and fortune.

Nothing wrong with that, and he was a successful business man, skilled and eloquent, but he wasn't a journalist. Entertainer, public affairs commentator, paid hack, entrepreneur, but not a journalist.

[Sing_Sling]

 

His ego was a bit too much for me and he was overhyped. Sorry, if that goes against the prevailing opinion.

I remember this interview when he tried to embarrass PM Thatcher over the sinking of the Belgrano. She put him in his place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1W4iQKQzo#t=331

Yes, his interviews with Nixon were interesting, but those were two egos in need of each other, feeding off of the other.
Yes, he could give a lively interview, but he could also fall flat.
He ended up at Al Jazeera and that says it all. It never was about journalism and its lofty principles. Rather it was about ego, fame and fortune.
Nothing wrong with that, and he was a successful business man, skilled and eloquent, but he wasn't a journalist. Entertainer, public affairs commentator, paid hack, entrepreneur, but not a journalist.

I'd disagree that one 'ends up' in a negative way at Al Jazeera . . . aside from that your post is spot on