Legendary skater and announcer Dick Button’s death on Thursday at age 95 has prompted an outpouring of tributes, including a touching video released by NBC on Friday that celebrated the iconic figure. Button was the first superstar in American figure skating, winning the inaugural U.S. gold medal in the 1948 Winter Olympics and repeating the feat in 1952. He also won five world championships, but he is best remembered for his lengthy career as a television analyst for figure skating from 1960 through 2010.
Terry Gannon, who collaborated with Button for many years, narrated the tribute video, featuring clips of Button as both a skater and a commentator. Gannon spoke eloquently about Button’s distinctive style, saying, “At the mic, he was engaging and acerbic, passionate and unforgiving. If it was bad, Dick would say it was bad, showcasing a unique ability to make us laugh, think, cringe, cry, and raise our eyebrows—all with one comment. His commentary transcended the sport and attracted new fans.” He added, “He was simply a one-of-a-kind character who saw the world differently than the rest of us. For that, I am forever grateful for my time spent with him. He leaves a legacy woven into the fabric of figure skating, and our thoughts are with the entire Button family.
“He was simply a one-of-a-kind character.”
Terry Gannon narrates the story of American figure skating icon and transcendent sports figure Dick Button. pic.twitter.com/ZLkgJy9T8D
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) January 31, 2025
The figure skating community is mourning Button’s death, which occurred just a day after a tragic plane crash on Wednesday night that claimed the lives of many youthful skating stars, coaches, and family members. According to Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch, six of the victims were members of the Skating Club of Boston, where Button once trained. The tribute video was a heartfelt gesture by Gannon and NBC, acknowledging that Button had concluded his final Olympics with NBC in 2010, while also having worked with CBS, ABC, and ESPN throughout his illustrious career.
