You see him nightly as the most-watched news anchor in America, heading up ABC's World News Tonight since 2014. He has covered a ton of important events, from the hunting of Osama bin Laden to reporting live from the Vatican when a new pope was chosen. David Muir has even helped raise millions for the World Food Program through his reporting on climate change from faraway places like South Sudan and Madagascar. Just recently, he was named to the 2025 Time 100 list, with a kind tribute from his friend and mentor Diane Sawyer. It seems like a lot for one person to do.

But despite all these achievements and his long career in journalism, Muir, who is 51, says he feels most like himself somewhere far from the newsroom. "I'd say my most comfortable element is being outside, covered in mud like this weekend," he told PEOPLE in a recent interview. He was talking about a Memorial Day weekend trip back to his hometown in upstate New York. He said it was pouring rain and he loved every second of it. This shows a side of Muir we do not always get to see when he is delivering the news.

It is a side that helps Muir feel complete and connected to where he comes from. "I have a German short-haired pointer, and for him, the biggest event of the weekend was discovering there was a beaver who had begun to build a dam inside the little boathouse," he shared. "So I spent more time at nightfall standing on the dock with the dog who was waiting for a glimpse of this beaver coming out of the boathouse than I did doing anything else." He believes that being out on the lake, breathing the same air he did as a kid on his BMX bike, really recharges him. It makes him feel at home again. He added he "couldn't have been happier."

David Muir's Early Years and How a Childhood Dream Turned Into a Big Career

From a Young News Enthusiast to Becoming a National Broadcast Icon

Looking back at his early life, it makes sense that Muir ended up where he is today. He grew up looking up to news anchors. "I was a nerd who felt this gravitational pull to the news, starting back when I was 12 years old," he said. He remembers being outside, playing with the other kids in his neighborhood. He was the only kid who would go inside when the local news came on. He would watch Peter Jennings, who he thought was like the James Bond of the evening news, traveling the world. To Muir, Jennings showed him a chance to see the world beyond his own backyard. This idea always drew him in.

After deciding he wanted to be a journalist, Muir started writing letters to local reporters in his town. When they wrote back with offers for internships, he quickly took the chance. "I began interning, carrying all the equipment — and back then the equipment was huge and heavy — and I'd jump into the back of the cruiser and I was honestly the happiest kid," he remembered. Most kids looked forward to summer vacation. He could not wait to get into the back seat of that police car again. He looks back on that time as a moment that shaped his life. He said he was lucky to have people around him who were not bothered by the young intern.

After finishing college with a journalism degree Muir's career really took off. He started working at local news stations in Syracuse and Boston. In 2003 he joined ABC News as an anchor for World News Now. He has been there ever since slowly working his way up. He took over from Diane Sawyer on World News Tonight in September 2014. It is still hard for Muir to believe his path. He remembers his first morning at the Times Square studio, sitting next to Diane Sawyer. He could not believe she was sitting in the chair next to him. Sawyer herself told him "I'm not your mentor. I'm your friend. I'm your colleague. We're both reporters."

Behind the Broadcast: David Muir's On-Air Quirks and Unexpected Nicknames

Discovering the Playful Side of a Serious News Anchor When the Cameras Are Rolling

Now, going on his eleventh year at World News Tonight, Muir thinks viewers truly know who he is. But he does have one or two secrets to share. "I generally have jeans on from the waist down," he admitted about his clothing for newscasts. "So the first thing that we try to do is make sure my jeans aren't showing... I really don't try to take myself too seriously but I always just joke, 'Don't tell anyone about the jeans and the boots!'" It is a funny image to think about, a serious news anchor wearing jeans under the desk.

He also admitted to double-checking the date with his floor director Michelle before going live. "Because the news is hitting us at lightning speed, I literally will say just before we come on, 'It's great to have you Shelly on a Tuesday night?' And she says, 'Yes, David, it's Tuesday,'" he said with a laugh. This little routine shows how fast-paced his job is and how he stays grounded during a live broadcast. It is a small detail that makes him feel more human.

When asked about his dedicated fans especially those who make "thirst edits" on TikTok, Muir cannot help but laugh. There is even a Tumblr page called "Gimme Gimme Muir." He takes it all in stride. "People will forward TikTok videos, but only because they are laughing out loud at them and making fun of me and saying, 'When did you become Daddy?'" he joked. "So I don't know whether that happens when you hit 50 or what, but I'll take it as a compliment, I think." He added that anyone who works with him knows how uncomfortable he is putting on a tuxedo. He said he is surprised he even survives those events without looking like a "total nerd." He laughed, saying "So maybe it's lost on me, but I guess Daddy's better than the alternative."

Who Is More Famous: David Muir Or His Beloved Dog, Axel?

A Look At The Unexpected Stardom Of His German Shorthaired Pointer

Despite all the online attention, Muir believes his dog, Axel, might actually be more famous than he is. "I love when people come up to me and interact because I feel like if they're going to be with me every night on the news, they do know me and they have every right to come up and sort of check in with me," he said. "But I have a dog walker who has been with me for six years now. And so I love the stories of even when the dog walker is out in public, people will say, 'Is that David Muir's dog?' It kind of puts it all in perspective. The dog is always the most important."

He truly believes his pup is more famous. "He deserves to be," Muir said of Axel's fame. "And he has no idea which makes it even more special." This shows Muir's humble side and his deep affection for his pet. It is a sweet reminder that even a big news anchor finds joy in simple things like his dog's unexpected popularity. It grounds him in the everyday world. He also has a home in Skaneateles, showing he likes to stay connected to his roots in Central New York. He has spoken at commencements at Ithaca College and Syracuse University.

"I'm no different from the intern in Syracuse who then became the rookie reporter in Syracuse," Muir told syracuse.com years ago. "I think the sensibilities of having grown up in Upstate New York and the concerns, the fears, the hopes of the people there are reflected all over the country. And that still drives me to this day." This ongoing connection to his past helps shape his approach to journalism.

What's Next For David Muir And His Continued Journey In Journalism?

The News Anchor's Simple Yet Strong Philosophy For Growth And His Enduring Love For Reporting

With so many accomplishments already in his life, what is next for David Muir? He has a very simple answer. "I think it's really important to continue to try being better," he said. "The moment you stop learning, the moment you're no longer curious, the moment you don't believe you can be better than you were a night ago or a week ago, is probably a time to sort of check yourself." This philosophy highlights his dedication to his craft and constant improvement.

"I still feel like I'm that kid racing into that local newsroom all those years ago," he continued. "I love this job. I love the people that I interview and get to meet, and I think that journalism is more important than ever." His passion for reporting is clear, and it is what drives him to keep striving for excellence. He believes in the value of journalism, especially now. It is inspiring to see someone at the top of their field remain so focused and committed to their work.

David Muir presents World News Tonight every weekday at 6:30 PM ET on ABC. So tune in and see if you can spot the jeans under the desk.