David Muir, the iconic face of World News Tonight with David Muir, is often associated with the most pressing global headlines, solemn reports, and piercing journalistic poise. But beneath the perfectly tailored suit jackets and the gravitas of anchoring the most-watched newscast in America lies a surprisingly down-to-earth, mud-covered, dog-loving man who still sees himself as a wide-eyed intern chasing stories in his hometown.

Now 51 and more than a decade into his role as ABC’s lead anchor, Muir has accomplished nearly everything a journalist could dream of. He’s reported from the frontlines of war zones, chronicled political shifts around the globe, and even stood among cardinals in the Vatican as history unfolded. His coverage has helped generate millions in donations to global aid organizations. He’s been honored on the 2025 Time 100 list. But if you ask him what truly brings him joy? It’s not the accolades — it’s standing on a wooden dock in the rain, watching for a beaver with his dog, Axel.

“I couldn’t have been happier,” Muir says of his recent Memorial Day weekend in upstate New York. “It was pouring, I was covered in mud, and it felt like home.”

That small-town tranquility is the kind of grounding energy that Muir clings to amid the constant rush of the news cycle. While audiences may only see the polished broadcaster, behind the scenes is someone still intimately tied to the air of his childhood, the simple pleasures of rural life, and the same journalistic curiosity that first drew him to the screen as a boy.

“I was the only kid who’d run inside when the local news came on,” he remembers, laughing. “Peter Jennings felt like James Bond to me. He was the globetrotter, the storyteller. That was what I wanted.”

His dream manifested early. As a teenager, Muir wrote letters to local reporters asking for mentorship. When they answered, he jumped at internships — hauling heavy equipment, sitting in the back of news vans, eager to learn. While most kids waited for summer breaks to relax, Muir couldn’t wait to get back to the newsroom.

After graduating from Ithaca College with a degree in journalism, Muir started at local stations in Syracuse and Boston before joining ABC in 2003. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to ultimately replace Diane Sawyer on World News Tonight in 2014 — a moment he still recalls with disbelief.

“To be sitting next to Diane that first morning… I could hardly believe it,” he says. “She would tell me, ‘I’m not your mentor. I’m your colleague.’ But to me, she’s always been both.”

Yet for all his composure onscreen, Muir isn’t immune to the unexpected quirks of fame — particularly in the age of TikTok and Tumblr. Recently, fans have begun labeling him with a tongue-in-cheek title: “Daddy.”

“People send me the videos just to laugh at me,” he says, amused. “They’ll say, ‘When did this happen? When did you become Daddy?’ Maybe it’s something that happens when you hit 50. I don’t know. But I’ll take it as a compliment… I think.”

There’s even a Tumblr page — Gimme Gimme Muir — dedicated to thirst edits, fan tributes, and lovingly sarcastic takes on his broadcast wardrobe. Muir, it turns out, is often wearing jeans and boots behind the desk. The suits? Only from the waist up.

“We always double check the framing so the jeans don’t show,” he confesses. “Don’t tell anyone!”

And while many anchors might shy away from such attention, Muir embraces the absurdity with humility. “I don’t take myself too seriously,” he admits, with a grin. “It’s not like I walk around thinking I’m cool.”

He even pokes fun at his nightly pre-show ritual — double-checking the day of the week with his floor director, Michelle. “News hits at lightning speed. Right before we go on air, I’ll say, ‘It’s Tuesday, right?’ Just to be sure,” he jokes.

But beyond his unexpected internet fame, Muir’s truest connection with people might be through his dog, Axel — a German short-haired pointer who may just be more recognizable than he is.

“I love when people come up to say hi,” he says, “but I really love when they recognize Axel. Sometimes even my dog walker gets stopped and asked, ‘Is that David Muir’s dog?’ Axel doesn’t know he’s famous, which makes it better.”

Despite the heavy headlines he reports, Muir remains grounded by his private life — moments by the lake, the loyalty of a dog, the smell of upstate air. And beneath it all, he remains someone who’s still trying to be better than he was yesterday.

“When you stop being curious, when you think there’s nothing more to learn, that’s when it’s time to check yourself,” he says. “I still feel like the kid running toward the newsroom. And I still love this job.”

As he continues to helm World News Tonight, Muir believes journalism is more vital than ever — not just for delivering facts, but for maintaining the public’s trust. And as for what’s next?

“Just to keep getting better,” he says. “That’s all.”

From the solemnity of national tragedy to the lighthearted reality of TikTok stardom, David Muir straddles two very different worlds. And somehow, in doing so, he makes the news feel more human — one mud-covered weekend and jean-clad broadcast at a time.