David Carr was a columnist and media critic best known for his work with the New York Times. Considered by many to be the finest media journalist of his era, he became widely known for appearing as himself in the 2011 documentary Page One: Inside the New York Times. In the film, he defended mainstream journalism against bloggers and other outlets claiming to be “real news.”

In addition to his work as a writer, Carr made multiple television appearances as a guest on shows such as Charlie Rose and The Colbert Report, as well as single appearances on Real Time with Bill Maher and a segment for 60 Minutes. He was also a mentor to numerous journalists, some of whom went on to forge successful television careers, including CNN's Brian Stelter and Jake Tapper.

He was also outspoken and honest about his drug addiction years earlier. In his 2008 memoir The Night of the Gun, Carr recounted his years as an addict in Minneapolis, where he was editor of The Twin Cities Reader. He would later become editor of The Washington City Paper in Washington, D.C, before joining The New York Times in 2002.

Carr died February 12, 2015, in New York City. He was 58.