[2][5][6] In the early 1980s, David Carr got a job at the alternative weekly Twin Cities Reader becoming its editor.

"[14] Carr was credited for launching Lena Dunham's career and was described by Gawker's John Koblin as the "Daddy" of TV series Girls.

[18] In 2014, he was named the Lack Professor of Media Studies at Boston University, a part-time position where he taught a journalism class called Press Play: Making and distributing content in the present future.

[23] Carr had previously battled Hodgkin's lymphoma, and reported developing his hoarse speaking voice during his coverage of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

[24] On February 12, 2015, at around 9 p.m. EST, Carr collapsed in the newsroom of The New York Times and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, at the age of 58.

[27][28] In September 2015, The New York Times announced a fellowship in his name which would be dedicated to fostering the growth and development of journalists.

[30] In 2016, a David Carr Prize for Emerging Writers at SXSW was presented to author Jaime Boust.