He was dashingly handsome, loving, loyal, charming, talented and strong, with a heart of gold and a mustache like no other. Chris Michon was suave and debonaire, Yet he was also a cowboy with his rugged style. He could tell a story that would transfix anyone who had the privilege of being in his orbit, and Chris sure had stories.
Born in Teaneck and raised in Montvale, this native Jersey Boy traveled the world throughout his prestigious career as an award-winning television and documentary producer, covering some of the most historical and epic events of our time from the Vietnam War to the attacks on 9/11. He spent 35 years at NBC News working with David Brinkley, Chet Huntley, Tom Brokaw and Linda Ellerbee. At CBS News, he spent eight years producing the 20th Century with Mike Wallace.
For NBC News, Chris covered Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign through his assassination. He is THAT guy in the iconic news footage pointing to his head, signaling to his camera crew, just moments after RFK was shot. He never knew where the next news story would take him, but was always steady and ready. With David Brinkley, Chris went on a cattle drive in New Mexico where they came upon John Wayne shooting the film The Cowboy, ending the day with a tequila-fueled night with The Duke. He was a correspondent on a country music series for The Today Show where he was invited to join The Judds on the road to film their Farewell tour, also producing profiles on Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Clint Black and Conway Twitty for that series. Chris was also Linda Ellerbee’s first producer at NBC News and later helped launch her own production company, Lucky Duck Productions, where he met the love of his life, Meryl, also a television and documentary producer. He had the career of legends, and it was his passion.
But his truest passion was his family who he loved fiercely. Chris and Meryl were wed in New York City in 1994. Married for over 31 years, they had a love affair for the ages. Chris was Meryl’s prince and her happily-ever-after. Their love ran deep and they knew they could get through anything, if they did it together. And Chris was a provider who cherished his four children and was blessed with four incredible grandkids and a precious great-granddaughter. He was so beyond proud of them all.
Chris is survived by his beloved wife Meryl, his son Christopher (Lucy), his three daughters, Tara (Doug), Madeleine and Jenna, four grandchildren, Andrew (Zeenia), DJ (Deby), Danielle and Lauren, and his great-granddaughter, Taylor Virginia.
A Celebration of Chris’ Extraordinary Life will take place in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CHRIS MICHON’S FINAL WISH: https://tinyurl.com/3y747hn4
