Michael Barnicle was born on October 13, 1943, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a prominent American print and broadcast journalist, as well as a seasoned social and political commentator. He currently serves as a senior contributor on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Barnicle grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and graduated from Boston University in 1965. His formative years were influenced heavily by his early exposure to politics and social issues. In 1968, he volunteered for Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign—not only in Massachusetts, but in other states as well. The experience offered him a compelling glimpse into the mechanics of governance and political movements.
The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy profoundly affected Barnicle. He saw Kennedy as a principled leader who championed social justice and equality. Barnicle's relationship with the Kennedy family was close enough that he was invited to attend Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral, including the Requiem Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the funeral train to Arlington National Cemetery. This tragic event strengthened his resolve to use journalism as a tool for civic engagement and justice.
Barnicle's journalism career gained momentum in the early 1970s. Through a connection with actor Robert Redford during the filming of The Candidate, Barnicle was offered the opportunity to write a column for The Boston Globe. He held that role from 1973 to 1998, writing extensively about the socio-political landscape of Boston. His coverage of the court-ordered school desegregation in the 1970s garnered significant attention for its depth and candidness.
Over his career, Barnicle has penned more than 4,000 columns for major publications including The Boston Globe, New York Daily News, and The Boston Herald. His articles often focused on the lives and struggles of Boston's working-class residents. His compelling storytelling caught the eye of national outlets such as Time Magazine, Esquire, ESPN The Magazine, The Daily Beast, and The Huffington Post.
In broadcasting, Barnicle has been a regular contributor since 1986 to Chronicle on Boston’s WCVB-TV. He also appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and NBC’s Today Show, delivering news and feature commentary. His television career includes appearances on PBS’s Charlie Rose, the PBS NewsHour, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and sports networks like ESPN and HBO.
| Birth Date: | 15 Oct, 1943 |
| Age: | 76 yrs |
| Occupations: | Columnist Journalist |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Worcester |
| Education: | Boston University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American journalist and commentator |
| Twitter Id: | Mikebarnicle |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
