James S. Brady, Former White House Press Secretary

James S. Brady, White House press secretary under President Ronald Reagan, died in Alexandria, Virginia, on August 4, 2014. His family did not specify a cause. Brady was 73.

On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley, Jr., fired several shots at Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Brady was one of four people shot (including the president), and as a result he suffered a severe head wound. Although the major media outlets reported that Brady had died in the assassination attempt, he survived, thanks in large part to an hours-long operation performed by surgeon Dr. Arthur Kobrine. The shooting left Brady with partial paralysis, slurred speech, and cognitive difficulties.

Brady finished out his term as White House press secretary, although it was in name only; Larry Speakes and Marlin Fitzwater actually performed the job during the remainder of Reagan’s presidency.

Over the next three decades, Brady and his wife Sarah became active and outspoken advocates of gun control. The “Brady Bill,” or Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, was named in his honor.

Although Brady died 33 years after the assassination attempt, his death was ruled a homicide because it was directly related to the 1981 gunshot wound.

See the NY Times slide show honoring James Brady here.

See the CNN report on Brady’s life and the Brady Bill here.