He came from a large family and was the youngest of ten siblings. But at just 10 years old, his life was shattered by tragedy.
In 1974, his father — both a doctor and an academic — along with his brothers Paul and Peter, were killed in a devastating plane crash.
The crash marked the beginning of a long period of suffering, but also the start of what would become an incredibly successful career in front of the camera.
Described as “rambunctious”
When we look at Hollywood stars, it’s easy to get dazzled by the money, fame, and talent that seem to define their lives. It’s easy to forget that many of them come from very humble beginnings, with dreams, family tragedies, and everyday struggles just like anyone else.
Take, for example, the TV star and actor we’re focusing on today — his life has been shaped by everything from a tragic plane crash to a career-changing health battle.
This star was born in 1964 and grew up in Maryland and South Carolina. His father was a prominent doctor, and the TV personality has described his parents as devout, yet deeply committed to intellectualism. They taught their children that it was possible to question the Church and still remain Catholic.
He remembers having a “pretty conservative upbringing,” noting that his mother voted for a Democrat — John F. Kennedy — just once in her life. In interviews, she’s described him as “rambunctious.” As a kid, he noticed that Southerners were often shown as less intelligent on TV, so to sidestep that stereotype, he taught himself to mimic the speech of American news anchors.
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