1. James Scott Brady was an American public official who served as assistant to the US president and the 17th White House Press Secretary, serving under President Ronald Reagan.
12 Facts About James Brady
1. 2.
James Brady began his career in public service as a staff member in the office of Republican Illinois senator Everett Dirksen.
3.
In 1970, James Brady directed a campaign in the same district for Phyllis Schlafly.
4.
James Brady served as press secretary in 1979 to presidential candidate John Connally.
5.
On March 30,1981,69 days into his presidency, Ronald Reagan and his cabinet members and staff, including James Brady, were leaving the Washington Hilton hotel when a gunman opened fire at the president.
6.
James Brady was unable to work as White House press secretary but remained in the position until the end of the Reagan administration with Larry Speakes and Marlin Fitzwater performing the job on an "acting" or "deputy" basis.
7.
In 1982, James Brady received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois.
8.
In 1993, Sarah and James Brady were each awarded a doctorate degree of Humane Letters by Drexel University.
9.
In 1996, James Brady received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton, the highest civilian award in the United States.
10.
James Brady died aged 73 on August 4,2014, in Alexandria, Virginia.
11.
James Brady was portrayed by John Connolly in the 2001 Showtime film The Day Reagan Was Shot.
12.
The episode depicts the media misreporting James Brady having died, before issuing the correction that he is still alive.