Louis Rukeyser

Louis Rukeyser was a financial journalist and commentator who created and hosted "Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser" on PBS from 1970 to 2002 — 32 years of consecutive broadcasting that made it one of the most watched and enduring shows in public television history. At its peak the show attracted over 10 million weekly viewers, making Rukeyser the most watched financial educator in American history. The show combined market commentary, panelist discussion, and interviews with leading investors and economists — featuring luminaries including Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch, John Templeton, and Mario Gabelli. Rukeyser's contribution was making financial markets accessible to ordinary Americans through his witty, conversational style and his ability to explain complex investment concepts without condescension. His Friday evening broadcasts created a ritual for a generation of American retail investors who tuned in every week for his market summary and outlook. Rukeyser wrote several investment books and continued writing and broadcasting until his death in 2006. He is credited with helping create the culture of retail investing that would eventually fuel the 401(k) revolution and the growth of equity mutual funds in America.