The Person Who Changed My Life by Matilda Cuomo

Author:Matilda Cuomo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale
Published: 2012-05-19T04:00:00+00:00

LARRY KING

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

My mentors taught me to never be afraid to take a risk, never cop out on my values, never lie to a friend, and above all, that all things will pass.

When I was a child, all I wanted to do was be on the radio, and there were two great radio broadcasters who influenced me and whom I admired. Arthur Godfrey was a wonderful broadcaster who exemplified great values—he was a risk taker, had a great personality, and above all, he was always himself. Red Barber was a Dodgers announcer whom I not only listened to as a child but also tried to imitate. I can remember pretending to be him when I was about ten years old, doing imaginary sports broadcasts by myself. I later met and worked with both these men, which was like living out a dream.

Both of these men had an enormous influence on my career as a radio broadcaster, for they taught me several important lessons. From them, I learned to be myself and to take risks. They showed me that in our profession the only secret is that there is no secret, and that above all I should trust my instincts. They gave me simple advice—to be the best I could be.

On a personal level, there were several people who had a tremendous effect on my life. Mario Cuomo, through his brilliance and friendship, taught me the importance of having a strong character. One of my favorite people has been Stan Musial, a baseball player. However, one individual who had an enormous influence on me was Edward Bennett Williams, a genius in the courtroom and a wonderful friend and adviser. Just being in his presence had a strong effect on me. Above all, he exemplified truthfulness and taught me that it was no shame to show one’s feelings.

There is one moment I shared with Edward that has stayed with me. I was walking with him down Connecticut Avenue two weeks before he died of cancer, and he knew he was going to die. He was cheering me up, telling me what a great career I had and what a wonderful life. I asked him, “Aren’t you scared?”

He was a devout Catholic, had always gone to church regularly, and he replied that if this life was all there was, then it didn’t make any sense and everything was just one big cosmic joke. Why do anything, he asked. Why work? In his mind, there had to be something greater than our life on earth, and he accepted this calmly. This concept was much more logical to him than the idea that there was nothing. I’m an agnostic, and his words had a tremendous impact on me. I can still hear his voice, saying those words.

Another great friend, whom I have known since we were nine, is Herb Cohen. Herbie taught me that you can negotiate anything. He would get me in trouble and then get me out of it again. When we were seventeen years old, we were walking one night when a squad car pulled up next to us.

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