Nick Charles , who started off as a taxi driver and later became the first sports anchor at CNN , died Saturday after battling bladder cancer since 2009 . Charles began at CNN on the network 's first day , June 1 , 1980 . Charles appeared on a bubble gum card , a rarity for a television personality . He was also one of only two black people to appear regularly on " The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson " ( which is why he got his nickname ) and host an interview show called'Charlie Rose Presents
Charles began at CNN on the network 's first day , June 1 , 1980 . Charles appeared on a bubble gum card , a rarity for a television personality . He was also one of only two black people to appear regularly on " The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson " ( which is why he got his nickname ) and host an interview show called'Charlie Rose Presents