At the age of 25, he discovered that he had multiple sclerosis. He managed his illness during a lengthy career across multiple networks, as recounted in a best-selling memoir. Richard M. Cohen, a vocal and celebrated television news producer whose career was ultimately impacted by the effects of multiple sclerosis, which he detailed in a popular memoir, passed away in December. 24 in Sleepy Hollow, New York, a community in Westchester County. He was 76 years old. His wife, former “Today” show host Meredith Vieira, stated that he passed away in a hospital due to acute respiratory failure. Mr. Cohen had a career in journalism that spanned over 20 years, collaborating with notable figures such as Ted Koppel at ABC and Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather at CBS. However, he approached a different topic when he penned a memoir and articles for HuffPost, The New York Times, and other publications about his experience with M.S., a progressive disease affecting the central nervous system. Mr. Cohen was diagnosed with M.S. in 1973 at the age of 25 while he was assisting in the production of a PBS documentary on disability politics. Despite his declining vision, which eventually led to legal blindness, and increasing balance issues that resulted in falls, giving the impression of inebriation to those unaware, he continued to work as a producer for CBS News, CNN, PBS, and FX until the mid-1990s. “Richard was a man of vibrant good humor and sparkling intelligence,” Mr. Koppel noted in an email. “I’m certain that his numerous health issues brought him more than just occasional feelings of hopelessness, but he never revealed that to me.” We’re experiencing difficulties accessing the article content. Please turn on JavaScript in your browser settings. Thank you for your patience as we confirm access. If you’re in Reader mode, please log out and sign in to your Times account, or subscribe to gain full access to The Times. We appreciate your patience as we confirm your access. Are you already a subscriber?
