Howie Carr

Howie Carr – Life, Career, and Selected Quotes

Howie Carr (born January 17, 1952) is an American radio talk-show host, journalist, and best-selling author known for his provocative commentary, hard-hitting political style, and books on crime and scandal. Discover his life, career, controversies, and voice.

Introduction

Howard Louis “Howie” Carr Jr. is a distinctive figure in American media: part journalist, part provocateur, part storyteller. Over decades, he has built a reputation in New England (and beyond) as a conservative radio talk-show host, a writer unafraid to dig into corruption and crime, and a commentator who courts controversy. His books, especially on Boston’s gangster history, have reached bestseller lists, while his daily radio presence has shaped political conversation. This article offers a deep dive into Carr’s background, his career path, his public persona, and some of his memorable lines and lessons.

Early Life and Family

Howie Carr was born on January 17, 1952 in Portland, Maine. He is the son of Frances Stokes Sutton and Howard Louis Carr Sr.

His childhood involved a degree of geographic mobility. His early years were split among Florida (Palm Beach) and North Carolina (Greensboro), where his parents worked in different capacities: his father in hotel operations, and his mother in administrative roles.

Eventually, Carr attended Deerfield Academy (a boarding school in Massachusetts). He won a scholarship to the school, which played a role in stabilizing his education despite financial limitations.

Because of financial constraints, Carr did not attend Brown University (though accepted), and instead enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). At UNC, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and contributed to the student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel. He graduated in 1973.

Career and Achievements

Journalism and Early Career

Carr’s professional writing began in journalism. He worked for the Winston-Salem Journal (in North Carolina) early in his career.

Later he moved to New England, joining the Boston Herald and its predecessor organizations. He held roles as assistant city editor, city-hall bureau chief, and State House bureau chief.

At times, his reporting was so tenacious that political figures expressed relief at his absence: for example, when then-Boston Mayor Kevin White announced retirement, he reportedly said avoiding Carr would be one benefit.

He also worked in television as a reporter and commentator for Boston television stations (such as WGBH-TV, WLVI).

Radio and Broadcasting

Carr is perhaps best known for The Howie Carr Show, a conservative radio talk show based in Massachusetts and syndicated across New England. On WRKO in Boston, among other stations, Carr broadcasts on weekdays. At some point, he launched his own Howie Carr Radio Network after departing a previous syndicator. In 2008, Carr was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

He is also a regular columnist for the Boston Herald, often publishing three columns a week.

Authorship: Books on Crime, Scandal, and Fiction

One of Carr’s most notable contributions is in non-fiction dealing with crime in Boston and political scandal.

Some of his key non-fiction works:

• The Brothers Bulger: How They Terrorized and Corrupted Boston for a Quarter Century (2006)

• Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano: Whitey Bulger’s Enforcer (2011)

• Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi (2013)

• Ratman: The Trial and Conviction of Whitey Bulger

• Kennedy Babylon: A Century of Scandal and Depravity (Volume 1 and 2)

• What Really Happened: How Donald J. Trump Saved America From Hillary Clinton (2018)

Carr has also written fiction novels:

• Hard Knocks (2012)

• Killers (2015)

His books, especially those on the Bulger gang and related organized crime, have attracted significant attention, in part because of his investigative style and willingness to challenge powerful figures.

Controversies, Risks & Public Stance

Because of his work exposing corruption and organized crime, Carr has faced threats. Notably, the infamous crime figure Whitey Bulger is said to have placed a contract on Carr’s life. During Bulger’s trial for murder and racketeering, Bulger attempted to have Carr barred from the courtroom by claiming Carr was a defense witness. Bulger was reported to have expressed his greatest regret was not killing Carr when given the chance.

Carr’s stances, especially his conservative political commentary, have also drawn criticism and polarization. He has publicly aligned with Donald Trump, participated in campaign events, and expressed views that generate both support and censure.

He has also been involved in legal pushback. For example, Superior Court Judge Ernest Murphy sued Carr and the Boston Herald over a column Carr wrote that was critical of the judge’s statements and decisions. The court awarded Murphy a multi-million dollar judgment.

Legacy and Influence

Howie Carr occupies a complex place in American media and political discourse:

• Voice in New England politics: For decades, Carr has shaped public opinion and debate across Massachusetts and New England through his radio program, columns, and presence.

• Investigative exposés: His work on crime in Boston, especially with the Bulger saga, has added to understanding of organized crime and corruption dynamics in urban America.

• Polarizing but influential: Carr’s unapologetic partisan voice means he is admired by many for his candor and criticized by others for his provocations. His style influences talk radio and political commentary in the conservative sphere.

• Crossing journalism and activism: He often acts less as a detached observer and more as a combative participant—his interventions in politics and scandal blur lines, which both energizes his audience and fuels controversy.

Personality, Style & Strengths

Carr is energetic, combative, witty, and provocative. He employs a direct tone, often peppered with sarcasm or sharp commentary. His voice is not tentative; he projects authority and confidence. He thrives in the public arena, relishes debate, and does not shy away from conflict.

His strengths include:

• Fearlessness: He digs into stories that many might avoid because of danger or complexity.

• Storytelling: He transforms journalistic details into narrative-driven prose that appeals to broader audiences.

• Persistence: He consistently revisits institutions, corruption, and scandals over long periods.

• Audience connection: His radio work reflects immediacy, interaction, and responsiveness; listeners feel engaged.

However, his style also tends to alienate some readers or listeners who might prefer more balanced or neutral discourse.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few statements and lines attributed to Howie Carr that reflect his style and views (paraphrased or taken from his public commentary):

• “Whitey Bulger put out a contract on me—yet here I stand.” (referring to his survival despite threats)

• About targeting powerful figures: “I never trusted people in robes or neckties, especially when they act like princes.” (reflecting his skepticism of elites)

• On journalism’s duty: “If they try to bury the story, dig deeper.” (a principle he often expresses)

• On avoiding complacency: “The only way to stay alive is never get comfortable.” (he has spoken about varying routines after threats)

Because Carr’s public presence is more verbal and broadcast than poetic, many of his lines come from radio, columns, or speeches rather than fixed “quotes” anthologized.

Lessons from Howie Carr

1. Speak boldly when many stay silent
   Carr’s career shows that investigative journalism with edge can draw attention—but it demands courage.

2. Local matters matter
   His focus on Boston, Massachusetts, and New England reminds us that regional journalism can have national significance.

3. Persistence over glamour
   Carr’s long career suggests impact comes from sustained effort more than flashiness.

4. Don’t underestimate risk
   Those who challenge power may face serious blowback. Carr’s readiness to adapt and protect himself is instructive.

5. Narrative matters
   Even hard reporting benefits from narrative flair—telling compelling stories helps ideas travel.

Conclusion

Howie Carr is not a conventional author in the mold of literary novelists or gentle essayists. He is a radio firebrand, a provocateur, a journalist risking confrontation, and an author who turns crime and scandal into gripping narratives. His life reflects the tensions between reporting and advocacy, between speaking truth and inviting backlash. Whether you admire or dispute his positions, his influence on New England media, political journalism, and popular nonfiction is unmistakable.