Fox News cameraman Craig Savage passed away on Sunday at 61 following a private battle with cancer. He had been with the network since its 1996 launch and traveled the world during his nearly three-decade tenure, filming in such far-flung locations as Afghanistan and Iraq.
In a memo to staff, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and president and executive editor Jay Wallace called Savage a “pioneering force” that “left an indelible mark” on the network, especially in its early days.
“[Craig] was swiftly brought on board from local news to help establish our then nascent Washington, D.C. bureau due to his remarkable ability to blend technology with artistry as a gifted television photographer,” the duo noted, adding: “It was his troubleshooting prowess in particular that made him the go-to person for any complex challenge.”
America Reports anchor John Roberts delivered a special tribute to Savage on Monday’s newscast. “He was a force to be reckoned with—a consummate professional,” Roberts said.
As a member of the White House unit, Savage was behind the camera for such major news events as Fox News’ first interview with former President Bill Clinton during his second term, as well as Clinton’s trip to Africa. He later joined former President George W. Bush for his secret Thanksgiving trip to Iraq in 2003, and documented President Donald Trump‘s time in Afghanistan in 2019.
Savage also busied himself with training the succeeding generations of behind-the-camera talent, adapting to ever-evolving technologies including digital photography and piloting camera-equipped drones. “He imparted wisdom and expertise that transcended the art of photography, teaching many how to excel in their roles and approach each challenge with passion and precision,” Scott and Wallace wrote.
Savage is survived by his wife and Fox News senior produce Anne Marie Riha, as well as his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren.
Read Suzanne Scott and Jay Wallace’s memo to staff below:
Dear colleagues,
It is with heavy hearts and fond remembrance that we announce the passing of our beloved cameraman Craig Savage who died on Sunday at 61 after a courageous battle with cancer.
A pioneering force at FOX News Channel for nearly 30 years, Craig joined our team on October 3, 1996, four days before we launched. He was swiftly brought on board from local news to help establish our then nascent Washington, DC bureau due to his remarkable ability to blend technology with artistry as a gifted television photographer.
Shortly after joining the network, Craig’s exceptional skills and creative eye were quickly recognized by our then Washington bureau chief Kim Hume who assigned Craig to the White House unit, a role he honorably fulfilled throughout his career here.
An integral part of numerous pivotal events in FOX News Channel’s history, he helped shoot our first presidential interview with then-President Clinton and was subsequently involved in nearly every presidential interview thereafter. He also ran the FOX floor camera at the 2000 and 2004 presidential conventions — an extremely challenging job that he truly relished.
At the White House unit, Craig’s versatility shone brightly. He was at the forefront of the industry’s evolution from analog to digital, mastering complicated transitions to LED lighting. There, he continued his reputation as an award-winning photographer and was dedicated to perfecting the images he produced for news programming, encompassing everything from elections to wars and natural disasters. He often invested countless hours learning the latest technologies, only to turn around and generously share that knowledge with colleagues.
It was his troubleshooting prowess in particular that made him the go-to person for any complex challenge, mainly when it came to ensuring flawless live shots from the White House. In one notable instance, Craig chose to act as an engineer during a major pool trip for FOX News when then-President Clinton visited Africa, deciding to help our very young team accomplish a huge assignment instead of traveling in his traditional role, which would have allowed him to go on a safari and have a front row seat to an historic event in Africa.
Craig’s expertise was again crucial during then-President George W. Bush’s secret 2003 trip to Iraq to visit the troops there for Thanksgiving (as pictured on Air Force One with the team below) and he was later assigned to President Trump’s covert trip to Afghanistan for Thanksgiving with the troops in 2019. His stealth and proficiency in delivering footage under the most stringent conditions were a testament to his skill and dedication.
Continuing to innovate later in his career, Craig embraced the skies as a drone pilot, contributing hundreds of flight hours to our news gathering efforts on stories that ranged from the southern border to hurricanes and floods. He excelled in aerial coverage and devoted himself to teaching the craft to many others who joined the Fox Flight Team.
He truly left an indelible mark on FOX News and shaped the careers of many, including Senior Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton whom he worked closely with throughout his tenure.
Beyond Craig’s professional accolades, his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering positive spirit made him a fixture in Washington. As Bryan described, he nurtured a sense of belonging that transformed the workplace into a family unit full of camaraderie. More often than not, he imparted wisdom and expertise that transcended the art of photography, teaching many how to excel in their roles and approach each challenge with passion and precision.
Though we mourn his loss, we take solace in celebrating Craig’s enduring legacy of excellence – one that will continue to inspire all of us at FOX News Media and the countless colleagues he touched along the way.
Craig is survived by his wife, FOX News senior producer Anne Marie Riha, his sons Jake (wife Alexa), Andrew and Maxwell, his stepchildren Zachary and Carly Norins and his grandchildren Sloane & Evander Savage. We extend our deepest sympathies to Anne Marie and his entire family.
Suzanne & Jay
