Dick Button, Legendary U.S. Figure Skating Champion and Broadcaster, Dies at 95
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and pioneering commentator left an indelible mark on the sport.
Dick Button, an American figure skating legend and beloved broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 95, U.S. Figure Skating confirmed Thursday. Known for his groundbreaking achievements on the ice and his candid commentary on television, Button’s death marks the end of an era in the sport.
The Associated Press first reported Button's passing, citing his son, Edward, who did not disclose a cause of death. The news came just a day after a tragic midair collision in Washington, D.C., claimed the lives of over a dozen young competitors, casting a shadow over the figure skating community.
"U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button," the organization said in a statement. "The two-time Olympic champion’s pioneering style and award-winning commentary revolutionized figure skating. His legacy will live on forever. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones."
Button’s iconic career began at the age of 18, when he stunned the world at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland, by becoming the first skater to land a double axel in competition. He followed that groundbreaking achievement by making history again at the 1952 Oslo Olympics, where he became the first skater to land a triple loop and introduced the now-famous “flying camel spin,” also known as the Button camel.
No man would go on to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in figure skating until Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu achieved the feat in 2014 and 2018.
After earning a degree from Harvard University in 1952 and a law degree in 1955, Button’s competitive career came to an end, but he remained deeply involved in the sport. He toured with the Ice Capades and Holiday on Ice, delighting audiences with his skating prowess.
However, it was as a broadcaster that Button became a household name. He made his TV debut as a commentator during the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, for CBS. His sharp wit and unflinching honesty quickly made him a fan favorite, and for decades, his voice became synonymous with figure skating coverage. Button’s fearless commentary continued throughout the years, including his role as an analyst for NBC during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport’s media presence.
"Dick Button is, and always will be, the godfather of figure skating," said Tara Lipinski, Olympic gold medalist and NBC Sports analyst. "No other figure skater embodies the sport as much as Dick Button."
His broadcasting colleague, Johnny Weir, praised Button’s blunt and honest style, which set him apart from other commentators. “Dick Button created an open and honest space in figure skating broadcasting where no topic or moment was off-limits,” said Weir. "He told it like it was, even when his opinion wasn’t a popular one."
Button is survived by his spouse, Dennis Grimaldi, and two children, Edward and Emily Button. His legacy as both a champion skater and a groundbreaking broadcaster will continue to inspire future generations.