New York Times media columnist David Carr died on Thursday at age 58, the newspaper reported.
Carr was a longtime media critic and had worked at the Times since 2002, according to the Times. He wrote the newspaper’s “Media Equation” column that appeared in print on Mondays. He was also the author of the 2008 memoir “The Night of the Gun,” which detailed his struggles with drug addiction and recovery.
Along with media reporter Brian Stelter, who now works at CNN, he was also one of the main subjects of the 2011 documentary “Page One: Inside the New York Times.”
The newspaper’s obituary said Carr collapsed in the Times newsroom at about 9 p.m. ET and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Before working for the Times, Carr wrote for The Atlantic Monthly and New York magazine as well as the website Inside.com. Earlier in his career, he served as the editor of alternative weekly newspapers in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis.
The Times said Carr was survived by his wife, Jill Rooney Carr, and their daughter Maddie as well as his twin daughters, Erin and Meagan.
Earlier on Thursday, Carr had moderated a discussion at the New School in New York City with journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras along with National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden, who spoke via video feed. (A video recording of the event is below.)
Rumors of Carr’s death began to circulate on Twitter late Thursday before it was confirmed by the newspaper.
At 10 p.m. ET, Sarah Booth, a staff artist at the Times, posted a message to Twitter that mentioned Carr.
Seems to be a day of death. We just lost Columnist David Carr here at the Times today. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
— Booth (@Boothacus) February 13, 2015
Soon after, Booth tweeted that Carr had “collapsed” and “did not make it.”
It wasn’t my place to make an announcement. Tonight David Carr collapsed and we were just told by the photo desk that he did not make it.
— Booth (@Boothacus) February 13, 2015
The Times quickly published news of Carr’s death on its website. Messages of shock as well as tributes poured onto Twitter from his colleagues at the Times and throughout the media world.
Here’s Carr in my backyard doing what he loved most: smoking, drinking coffee, and working on his column. pic.twitter.com/nkz9NGVBXT
— Nick Bilton (@nickbilton) February 13, 2015
David Carr died today at 58. I owe him far more than 140. I owe him my career. http://t.co/kwVFWjFss2
— Sam Sifton (@SamSifton) February 13, 2015
David Carr was equal parts sweetheart, truth-teller and ass-kicker. And such a great colleague/journalist. I can’t believe this.
— Mark Leibovich (@MarkLeibovich) February 13, 2015
David Carr was a great journalist & a great person. He introduced us to his daughter after the event, who he was always praising. So sad-RIP
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 13, 2015
David Carr’s special air was that of a man who got a second chance at life, and made sure as hell he wasn’t going to blow it this time.
— Jacob Weisberg (@jacobwe) February 13, 2015
One of the great things about David Carr was he was unflinching in talking truth to power. In that way he was a model for all journalists.
— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) February 13, 2015
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I loved David Carr. He was a preposterously excellent human.
— Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) February 13, 2015
Heartbroken about David Carr’s death. Great journalist, but more important, great human being. Will miss him.
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) February 13, 2015
David Carr, Media Columnist for The Times, Is Dead at 58 http://t.co/v1eEFh5YM7 < I’m so shocked and saddened by this…
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) February 13, 2015
David Carr’s book, “The Night of the Gun,” inspired my last record. So grateful to have known the brilliant and kind news man.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) February 13, 2015
David Carr was the most generous journalist I’ve ever known–nobody more willing to help his brethren. That was only one of his gifts
— Joe Nocera (@NoceraNYT) February 13, 2015
David Carr. There will be none like him again.
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) February 13, 2015
David Carr stood out because at a time when the news industry is struggling for its soul, he exemplified both soul and integrity. RIP
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 13, 2015
Just watching @carr2n blow up my Twitter feed. Seems fitting.
— Patrick LaForge, NYT (@palafo) February 13, 2015
Course I learned David Carr passed away while I was onstage. We’ve been brothers since we met at a MPLS comedy club 32 yrs ago. I love him.
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) February 13, 2015
A light went out.
— Nick Denton (@nicknotned) February 13, 2015
Tonight I grieve with so, so many others who wouldn’t be where they are right now if not for the great, incomparable and loving @carr2n
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) February 13, 2015
David and I did a Sweet Spot once about Twitter as a place for collective grieving. He would appreciate what’s happening here tonight.
— a. o. scott (@aoscott) February 13, 2015
Watch video of Carr from the discussion he moderated earlier Thursday:
This post has been updated.
Very very sad news. Carr was a top-flight, terrific reporter. Condolences to his family.
This blows. Just awful news.
RIP, Mr. Carr. You pulled yourself out of some horrific stuff, all the while doing some terrific reporting.
My condolences to his family. And for those of you who may have not read it when first published, in 2008 one of my favorite David Carr pieces: When Fox News Is the Story
If that top picture and Nick Bilton’s tweet are both of David Carr, that’s quite a shocking transformation.
A great piece; thanks for the reminder. He was on with both Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow last night, a big day for his beat. What a damn shame.
What a sad week for quality media. Bob Simon and now David Carr. The Jon Stewart retirement I was expecting either this year or next. How come it’s never Rupert Murdoch attacked by ravenous Dingos or Limbaugh accidentally choked to death while performing auto erotica afixia.