Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Dick Button, who won figure skating gold for Team USA in 1948 and 1952 before going on to star as a commentator, has died, his family announced. He was 95.
His family confirmed the death to U.S. Figure Skating. Button died Thursday in North Salem, N.Y. U.S. Figure Skating said he died of natural causes.
"U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button," U.S. Figure Skating said. "The two-time Olympic champion's pioneering style and award-winning television commentary revolutionized figure skating.
"His legacy will live on forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Button, recognized as one of the most accomplished men's figure skater in history, won five-consecutive world championships in men's singles from 1948 through 1952. He placed second in 1947. He also won seven-consecutive U.S. titles from 1946 through 1952 and North American crowns in 1947, 1949 and 1951.
Button was a pioneer in men's figure skating. At just 16, he became the first U.S. men's champion. He also was the first American to win Olympic gold in the sport and the first skater ever to perform a double axel in a competition. Button accomplished each of those feats at just 18, when he won gold at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
In 1948, Button became the first and only man to hold Olympic, World, North American, U.S. and European titles at the same time.
He also went on to land the first triple jump -- a triple loop -- in a competition, resulting in another gold at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.
After leaving the ice as an athlete, Button founded Candid Productions, creating events including the World Professional Figure Skating Championships. He also acted in several films and in TV shows. He went on to provide commentary for CBS, ABC and NBC broadcasts at several events, including the 1960 Winter Olympics, United States Figure Skating Championships and World Figure Skating Championships. Button received an Emmy Award in 1981.
Button, who also was a commentator for the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Olympics, was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976. Known as "The Voice of Figure Skating," Button was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2015.
Button sustained a serious brain injury during a fall while skating in 2000 at a rink in Westchester County, N.Y. He later became a spokesman for the Brain Injury Association of America.
Many skating legends mourned the loss, as they already were grieving from the 14 members of the skating community lost in Thursday's plane crash in Washington.
"This is the most heartbreaking day for our skating family community I've ever known," Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 women's singles Olympic champion wrote Thursday on social media. "Along with the tragedy and loss in D.C., we have also lost a legend, visionary, trailblazer, champion of all champions. Mr. Dick Button.
"He leaves a void that can never be filled. His contributions to our sport will live on forever. Thank you Mr. Button for helping to create a world where I could live out my dreams. Your humor, jokes and smile will be forever missed. Deepest Condolences to Emily, Edward and family."
Scott Hamilton, the men's singles champion at the 1984 Winter Games, said he will "miss Dick Button every day for the rest" of his days.