Olympic Legend Dick Button, Figure Skating’s Trailblazer and TV Icon, Dead at 95

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Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Dick Button, renowned for executing the first triple jump in competition and subsequently captivating television audiences with his witty, award-winning commentary, passed away on Thursday at the age of 95.

Emily Button, an actress, confirmed that her father passed away in North Salem, New York, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Equipped with an extensive understanding of his field and degrees from both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Button brought a sharp sense of humor and deep passion to figure skating on television for over five decades, starting in 1960 when he commentated on the Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley, California.

In 1962, Button relocated to ABC and stayed there for more than four decades. During this time, he oversaw a revolutionary era in both media and skating. With popular figures such as Peggy Fleming, Janet Lynn, Dorothy Hamill, Tai Babilonia, Randy Gardner emerging on the global stage during the 1960s and 1970s, Button tirelessly advocated for increased airtime and higher production quality. This effort made figure skating the financial cornerstone of the Winter Olympics.

In a friendly yet informative manner, Button guided TV viewers on the intricacies of judging, identifying “classic lines,” graceful leaps, and pace in performances. Moreover, he delighted spectators by demonstrating how to recognize flaws such as erratic arm movements, incorrect leg positions, questionable attire, and jarring musical transitions, which often prompted his firm criticism.

About one song that stood out as quite unusual, Button remarked, “It appears there was some confusion during the recording process.

For the majority of his professional life, he served as an analyst at ABC, frequently collaborating with Jim McKay during their Saturday afternoon show Wide World of Sports. Additionally, he had lengthy stints working alongside Fleming at ABC and later with Terry Gannon, both at ABC and NBC.

Gannon stated in 2014 that he always had to stay alert because of this person. This individual speaks his mind without any hesitation, which is one of the reasons why he’s such a fantastic analyst. You can hear some of his commentary here.

In 1973, television pioneer Button devised the enduring ABC show “The Superstars,” which featured athletes from various sports competing against each other in extravagant multi-event contests akin to a decathlon.

Originally airing in 1976, “Battle of the Network Stars” gained legendary status during its 12-year span. The show pitted actors like Robert Conrad, Farrah Fawcett, Gabe Kaplan, Penny Marshall, and Hal Linden against each other in various competitions. The events were humorously overseen by Howard Cosell who poked fun at the whole affair. In later years, there have been multiple attempts to revive this popular series, with one occurrence as recently as 2017.

Under the fitting moniker of Candid Productions, Button broadened the financial avenues for skaters, establishing events like the World Professional Figure Skating Championships and the Challenge of Champions, along with TV specials dedicated to prominent figures such as Hamill. At her peak, she was among the highest-earning athletes globally.

1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano commented that “Dick popularized the terms ‘lutz’ and ‘salchow'” in everyday language, aiding Button in promoting his 2013 book titled “Push Dick’s Button“, which offered an insider’s perspective on figure skating.

Richard Totten Button, born on July 18, 1929, in Englewood, New Jersey, developed a passion for skating at the age of twelve, which some might consider late. However, within just five years, he had claimed the title of U.S. champion, a feat he would repeat an impressive seven times in a row.

Back in 1949, I was honored with the Sullivan Award – an accolade that celebrates the finest American athlete across all realms of amateur sports.

In natural and easy-to-read language:
Only an American skater has won Olympic gold twice, and that’s Button. At 18 years old during the St. Moritz Games in 1948, he performed the first double axel (2 1/2 rotations) in competition, making him the youngest male figure skater to ever win; later, at the 1952 Oslo Games in Norway, he executed his famous triple loop (while sporting a fashionable white mess jacket). To top it off, he also created the flying camel spin.

According to Mary Louise Adams’ 2011 book, “Artistic Impressions: Figure Skating, Masculinity, and the Limits of Sport,” Dick Button introduced a fresh athleticism into figure skating. His jumps were higher and longer, his spins faster than those of other skaters. He described his skating style as aggressive, enthusiastic, and distinctly American.

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As Mary Louise Adams explains in her 2011 book, “Artistic Impressions: Figure Skating, Masculinity, and the Limits of Sport,” Dick Button revolutionized figure skating with his athleticism. His jumps were higher, longer, and faster than his competitors’, and he spun at a remarkable speed. He characterized his skating style as aggressive, energetic, and quintessentially American.

For five consecutive years between 1948 and 1952, Button claimed the men’s singles title at the World Championships, first as an undergraduate student at Harvard. Upon completion of this remarkable feat, he decided to retire from competitions to embark on a professional career. During his law studies, he would tour with the Ice Capades during campus breaks.

He was a member of the first class inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976.

Within the commentary box, he was both intense and tender at once. In 1996, when Rudy Galindo achieved one of sports history’s most remarkable upsets by clinching the U.S. title following years of heartbreaking disappointments, Button struggled to hide his joy – or his tears.

In 1992, the Winter Games shifted to CBS, but Button continued his commentary duties with ABC. He stayed with them throughout the 2000s, even after an unexpected fall on the ice at the age of 70 resulted in a skull fracture, concussions, and hearing problems.

Over the years, he has consistently served as skating’s moral compass, vocally criticizing the restructured judging system (introduced following a scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games) that encouraged routine performances, thereby diminishing the sport’s elegance and TV allure.

Button chose to steer clear of the intense media coverage that swirled around Tonya Harding’s 1994 assault on her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan. He expressed his disapproval, calling it repulsive, regarding an incident that became one of the most notorious scandals in sports history.

In the year 2006, Button made his comeback to Olympic coverage after an absence of 18 years, this time working with NBC at the Turin Games on a temporary basis. The way he handled his limited responsibilities was highly appreciated, and as a result, NBC immediately increased his tasks right then and there – a partnership that continued until the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

2014 and 2018 Olympic Games saw Button’s live Twitter commentary receiving widespread acclaim among a younger audience for his witty sarcasm. As usual, his remarks were both celebratory and bitingly critical.

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During the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games, many people on social media admired Button’s live Twitter commentary for its sharp-witted humor. His comments were always a mix of triumphant and scathing remarks.

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At the 2014 and 2018 Olympics, Button gained popularity among young users of social media due to his snarky tweets. His live commentary was filled with both joyful and biting remarks, as it often is.

He tweeted during the Pyeongchang Games, expressing his distaste for overly emotional, tearful reactions to mediocre performances by skaters.

Despite being in his nineties, Button continued to uphold his duties as a protector. In the year 2020, he utilized U.S. Figure Skating’s work-from-home challenge to criticize the International Skating Union for promoting intricate and elaborate skating routines on the ice.

He returned to ABC in 2010 as a a judge on ABC’s Skating With the Stars.

Beyond his daughter, survivors also include his son, Edward, who is likewise a product of his marriage with figure skating coach Slavka Kahout, which spanned from 1973-84. She was the one who coached him, as well as many other champions, including Lynn.

In response to a question from The New York Times in 2014 regarding his potential fatigue with discussing figure skating, Button responded negatively.

He stated, “Skating doesn’t ever get boring because it introduces you to numerous artistic disciplines such as dance, acting, physical prowess, historical context, choreography, and even high fashion design. How can one grow weary of something so rich and diverse?

Deborah Wilker is a professional figure skater.

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2025-01-31 04:26