George Stephanopoulos’ GMA co-host leaves the studio to support his big night

George Stephanopoulos has a big week ahead of the 63-year-old veteran journalist honored this Thursday, September 26th at the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame Awards in NYC.

The Good morning America Host is being inducted for his decades of work as a journalist on the front lines of political and breaking news and now as host of one of the country’s most popular news programs.

And it looks like he’ll have at least one familiar face cheering him on at the ceremony, as was announced Broadcast + cable The One of the evening’s hosts is one of his own colleagues.

Alongside ESPN host Brian Custer and TV personality and actor Mario Lopez ABC News correspondent and 20/20 Co-host Deborah Roberts will also host the evening.

George and Deborah are good friends, with the latter often joining the morning news program with special reportsand occasionally participate in the primetime specials.

Broadcast + cable spoke about his journey with George and some of the people who worked closely with him behind the scenes GMA and his love for journalism.

“The interview I did with President (Joe) Biden (July 5, after his debate with former President Donald Trump) was probably the highest-risk interview of my career,” he told the publication. And he also revealed whether he wanted his two daughters with Ali Wentworth, Elliott and Harper, to follow them into TV land. “I just want them to follow their dreams.”

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Former ABC News President David Westin spoke about becoming interested in adding George to the news team as a reporter after following his political career in the White House and reading his book All too human: A political education.

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“If you’ve decided to go into the news business full-time, I think you can have a really great career here,” he remembered telling George. “And to my surprise he actually said, ‘David, that’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about.'”

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Due to his political background, he initially faced some concerns from others on the team about his suitability as a broadcast journalist, but he quickly proved himself to be a first-class member of the team for programs such as World news tonight And This week.

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“I had conversations with Ted Koppel and Charlie Gibson and Peter Jennings,” George recalled. “But I also knew that discussions alone would not allay all concerns. I had to show it in my work and prove that I can be a fair and objective journalist. I tried that.”

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In fact, when David asked him to host GMA while he anchored This weekGeorge rejected him three times because he feared destroying his family’s life in the nation’s capital.

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“I had a young family in Washington DC and was fascinated by politics, political news and being on the Sunday show,” he revealed. “I didn’t think it was necessarily a natural fit. But David had faith in me and he was right and I was wrong. I just love the fact that every morning you have a whole audience waiting to start the day with you. It’s a great privilege.