Neil Leifer talks about growing up poor on New York's Lower East Side, the deli delivery job that allowed him to buy his first camera, landing his first SPORTS ILLUSTRATED cover as a teenager, why his legendary picture of the triumphant Muhammad Ali still resonates, and the drive that propelled him to become one of the greatest sports photographers of all time.

Neil Leifer talks about growing up poor on New York's Lower East Side, the deli delivery job that allowed him to buy his first camera, landing his first SPORTS ILLUSTRATED cover as a teenager, why his legendary picture of the triumphant Muhammad Ali still resonates, and the drive that propelled him to become one of the greatest sports photographers of all time.

Neil Leifer talks about growing up poor on New York's Lower East Side, the deli delivery job that allowed him to buy his first camera, landing his first SPORTS ILLUSTRATED cover as a teenager, why his legendary picture of the triumphant Muhammad Ali still resonates, and the drive that propelled him to become one of the greatest sports photographers of all time.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Season 1, Episode 8: Neil Leifer

AMERICAN ACHIEVERS explores the power of ambition, commitment to excellence, risk-taking and tenacity in pursuit of the American Dream. Hosted and produced by author, documentary filmmaker, and media trailblazer Keith Dunnavant, who has been interviewing newsmakers for more than four decades, including many years as an award-winning journalist for various major publications, covering and directing coverage of sports, business, media, culture and politics. Widely acclaimed for his history books, including THE MISSING RING, MONTANA and SPY PILOT, Dunnavant directed the 2023 ESPN Films documentary BART STARR, based on his definitive biography. With each episode of AMERICAN ACHIEVERS, Dunnavant explores the life of an accomplished individual who has relentlessly chased success and fulfillment, often battling through significant adversity and reflecting universal lessons that strike at the heart of the American experience. Featuring entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, astronauts, media figures and civic leaders. Coming in late 2026: Season 5. KeithDunnavant.com

Society & Culture

AMERICAN ACHIEVERS explores the power of ambition, commitment to excellence, risk-taking and tenacity in pursuit of the American Dream. Hosted and produced by author, documentary filmmaker, and media trailblazer Keith Dunnavant, who has been interviewing newsmakers for more than four decades, including many years as an award-winning journalist for various major publications, covering and directing coverage of sports, business, media, culture and politics. Widely acclaimed for his history books, including THE MISSING RING, MONTANA and SPY PILOT, Dunnavant directed the 2023 ESPN Films documentary BART STARR, based on his definitive biography. With each episode of AMERICAN ACHIEVERS, Dunnavant explores the life of an accomplished individual who has relentlessly chased success and fulfillment, often battling through significant adversity and reflecting universal lessons that strike at the heart of the American experience. Featuring entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, astronauts, media figures and civic leaders. Coming in late 2026: Season 5. KeithDunnavant.com

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Season 1, Episode 8: Neil Leifer

Season 1, Episode 8: Neil Leifer