- Although he spent most of his career in radio and television news, he is best-known to TV viewers as the moderator of one of the most successful quiz shows of all time, "What's My Line." In its first, and most popular version, it ran in prime time on CBS from 1950 to 1967. He was the show's only moderator.
- He was a war correspondent in Italy in August 1943 covering Gen. George S. Patton at the time of the infamous "slapping" incident.
- Many people first heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor when John Daly came on the air at 2:25 PM (EST) with the news report on CBS radio. In his initial report he mispronounced the island named Oahu as "O-ha-ooh".
- When What's My Line went off the air in 1967, John Daly was appointed the director of the Voice Of America. His appointment was a contributing factor in deciding to end the show's long run.
- He was one of the featured reporters on CBS Radio's "You Are There" (1947-1950).
- John Daly by his own testimony on one "What's My Line?" show indicated that he was a retired naval reserve officer of the rank Lt. J.G. He said, "I was the oldest retired Lt. J.G. at the event," and then went on to explain his reserve duty and final rank at retirement, somewhat poking fun at himself for having never climbed higher.
- Was son-in-law of former US Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren.
- In the 1950s, he worked for several years at ABC Television as Vice President in charge of News, Special Events and Public Affairs. During this period, he received three Peabody Awards: 1954 - Personal Award for Radio-Televison News. Partial quote from citation: "John Charles Daly is primarily a reporter-and a good one. His versatility as a radio and television personality has not diluted his basic talent as a competent and discerning journalist." 1956 - Institutional Award for Television News Coverage of the National Political Conventions. Partial quote: "Last summer, the American Broadcasting Company, with department head John Daly and a carefully picked team, covered the Democratic and Republican national conventions. The result was a perfect example of how an important news event should be brought home to a television audience." 1957 - Prologue '58. Partial quote: "ABC's handling of the news, consistently authoritative and imaginative throughout 1957, hit a new high with its year-end roundup and forecast for the months to come
- 'Prologue '58.' The credit goes equally to John Daly and his staff.."
- Enrolled as a child at the Tilton School in New Hampshire; he eventually became the Chairman of the Board of the school and an alumni award was established in his name after his death.
- In August, 1955, John was appointed constable of Harrison, New York in Westchester County.
- His two sons with his first wife, Margaret Criswell Neale, were John Charles Daly (born 1937) and John Neale Daly. They also had a daughter, nicknamed Buntsie, born in 1945.
- His first wife, Margaret Criswell Neale, was nicknamed Kit.
- In the 1950s, Daly and his family resided in Rye, New York.
- Pets: In 1955, John and family had a female Scottish terrier named Bonnie.
- When it came to his golf game, said of himself, "I'm the original 110 for 18 holes man."
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 3, 1991-1993, pp. 121-123. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001.
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