Gibson began regularly anchoring ABC World News Tonight after long-time anchor Peter Jennings’ treatment for lung cancer forced him off the set in April 2005. On August 7, 2005, Gibson announced Peter Jennings death and the following day anchored the first World News Tonight following Jennings' death. He was a leading choice to replace Jennings and was eventually offered the job. However, Gibson couldn't agree with ABC News president David Westin over how long he would stay in the chair ^*. Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff were then chosen to be Jennings' permanent replacements on December 05, 2005.

Woodruff's severe injury in Iraq on January 29, 2006 suddenly threw the new World News Tonight anchor arrangement into confusion. There were doubts Vargas could sustain the program on her own over the longterm. Ratings were slipping. In March 2006, The New York Post's Cindy Adams reported that Charles Gibson will become Bob Woodruff's "Temporary Permanent Replacement" on WNT. On May 23 2006, Gibson was named sole anchor of WNT, effective May 29, 2006, after Vargas announced her resignation from the show; she cited her doctors' recommendation to cut back her schedule considerably due to her upcoming maternity leave, and her wish to spend more time with her new baby. [http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1993658&page=1

During the 1970s and 1980s, Gibson covered the House of Representatives and the White House for ABC News. Prior to anchoring ABC's morning show, Gibson worked as a reporter for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. He sometimes co-anchored World News Tonight when Peter Jennings was reporting on location. He also occasionally substituted for Ted Koppel on Nightline. On October 8, 2004, he moderated the second presidential debate between George W. Bush and John Kerry.

Gibson graduated from Princeton University where he was news director for the university radio station, WPRB-FM and a member of Princeton Tower Club. He now serves on Princeton's Board of Trustees.

On March 14, 2006, Gibson's daughter, Jessica, gave birth to Gibson's first grandchild.

On May 17, 2006, Gibson also made an appearance at the Monmouth University Class of 2006 graduation ceremony held at the PNC Arts Center in New Jersey as an honorary guest from about 1:30–3:30pm. After being presented with an honorary degree as a doctorate in humane letters, he read the graduation's commencement address written by himself.

Gibson is widely perceived as friendly and approachable, yet highly professional. In an interview on Fox News Channel, Gibson's elevation to WNT was praised by Brit Hume, anchor of the cable network's Special Report and Gibson's colleague at ABC News.

Trivia

• Gibson appears in the Disney film The Rookie anchoring World News Tonight and introduces a piece about Jim Morris, the main character of the film.
• Gibson states that when it comes to cable news, he normally watches CNN Headline News to get a quick fix on news. He also watches Fox News Channel's Special Report with Brit Hume, which is anchored by former ABC News correspondent and colleague Brit Hume, who Gibson has tremendous respect for. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/18/AR2006041801943_4.html
• Gibson is a huge Washington Redskins fan.

External links

• ABC News Bio
• Charlie Gibson's Goodbye Speech on GMA
• Gibson Exits 'Good Morning' in Transition
• Charlie Gibson Tribute Videos
• Photos: Celebrating Charlie's 19 years

ABC News | 1943 births | Living people | American television journalists | Broadcast news analysts | American reporters and correspondents | Princeton University alumni