James Brady, a former editor of fashion and gossip publications who became the celebrity interviewer for Parade magazine and wrote more than a dozen books ranging in topic from war to high society, died Jan. 26 at his home in New York City. He was 80.
After returning from Korean War combat, Brady used his skills as a raconteur to advance at Fairchild Publications. He became publisher of Women’s Wear Daily in the 1960s and helped launch its spin-off, W.
Brady began in 1974 a long affiliation with Rupert Murdoch and his tabloid the Star. Brady edited the Star and went on to develop the snarky “Page Six” gossip column for the New York Post in the mid-1970s.
He was a news commentator on New York TV stations and a contributor to publications from Advertising Age to . For 25 years, he was the author of Parade’s “In Step With” celebrity profile column. His last column will appear Feb. 15. It will feature actor Kevin Bacon.
