John C. Dvorak Dies at Age 74 – Tech Columnist and No Agenda Host

John C. Dvorak’s passing was announced by the No Agenda Show on July 22 2026

The No Agenda Show’s Twitter account shared that John C. Dvorak, described as a beloved husband, father, and cherished host, had died at the age of 74. The announcement noted that more details would follow.

His career spanned print, television, and podcasting

John C. Dvorak wrote columns for PC Magazine, Byte, Infoworld, and Mac User, and appeared on television programs such as ZDTV/TechTV, Computer Chronicles, Cranky Geeks, and Silicon Spin. He was a regular guest on Leo Laporte’s TWiT podcasts and co‑hosted the No Agenda Show with Adam Curry.

Readers and colleagues remember his style and influence

Many commenters recalled reading his opinionated columns in the 1980s and 1990s, describing them as entertaining, insightful, and shaping their tastes in software and computing. Others highlighted his appearances on TechTV and his role as a "lovable curmudgeon" who brought humor and bold takes to discussions. Personal anecdotes included meetings at Chez Panisse, shared love of Costco wines, and his willingness to engage with young readers via email.

Some noted his later work and points of contention

In later years John C. Dvorak launched several SubStack newsletters, including one focused on political commentary during the COVID‑19 pandemic. A few commenters expressed disappointment with what they perceived as a shift toward conspiratorial or toxic ideas in his No Agenda show, while others defended his earlier persona as a friendly curmudgeon.

Tributes highlighted his lasting impact on tech culture

Fans cited his influence on their early technology experiences, his memorable on‑screen moments such as disassembling an IBM PS/2 on Computer Chronicles, and his podcasts that accompanied them through college and beyond. The No Agenda community announced that Adam Curry and John’s wife Mimi would host a remembrance episode to share stories and anecdotes.

A note on age discrepancy

While the announcement gave his age as 74, one commenter pointed out that the Wikipedia entry for John C. Dvorak lists his age as 80, indicating a possible discrepancy that may be resolved later.