Tony Snow Biography: 1955-2008

Published January 13, 2015

Robert Anthony Snow

Born: June 1, 1955, in Berea, Ky.; spent childhood in Cincinnati area.

Family: Wife, Jill Ellen Walker, and three children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Davidson College in 1977. Did graduate work at the University of Chicago, in philosophy and economics, from 1978 to 1979.

Newspaper Career: Began as newspaper editorial writer for the Greensboro (N.C.) Record in 1979, then Norfolk Virginian-Pilot; named editorial page editor for the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press in 1982; became deputy editorial page editor at the Detroit News in 1984 and editorial page editor of the Washington Times in 1987; wrote columns for Detroit News, USA Today and syndication.

TV/Radio Career: Hired in 1995 by ABC's “Good Morning America” as a conservative voice in debates with Chris Matthews and served as replacement commentator for political talk shows like “Crossfire” and “Equal Time”; tapped in 1996 to host “FOX News Sunday,” the first news show on the FOX network, and began appearing on FOX News Channel when it was launched later that year; hosted FOX News' “Weekend Live with Tony Snow,” in 2003, as well as "The Tony Snow Show" on FOX News Radio.

White House Career: Left newspapers in 1991 to join staff of first President Bush as deputy assistant to the president for communications and director of speechwriting; later promoted to deputy assistant to the president for media affairs; appointed by second President Bush in April 2006 as White House press secretary after Scott McClellan resigned; served until September 2007, when colon cancer treatment and family financial pressures forced him to step down.

Sources: Biography Resource Center; Associated Press

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/story/tony-snow-biography-1955-2008