Legendary News Producer Don Hewitt Has Died

Don Hewitt, who created and executive produced 60 Minutes, and whose early credits include producing and directing the "Great Debates" in 1960 between Nixon and Kennedy, has died at the age of 86.



The Archive of American Television interviewed Hewitt on April 15, 1997. The two-and-a-half hour interview was conducted by Michael Rosen. In it, Hewitt spoke articulately about the beginnings of broadcast journalism; the days of Douglas Edwards with the News; the profound influence of Fred Friendly, Edward R. Murrow, and William Paley; and of course, the creation and success of 60 Minutes.

Link to Don Hewitt entire five-part Archive interview.

Mike Wallace is 90 Today!

The Archive of American Television wishes Mike Wallace a happy birthday as the veteran newsman turns 90. Wallace spent his early years as an announcer and actor in radio and television. In the early 1950s he often appeared as an actor in the dramatic anthologies of the day including Suspense and Studio One. When he began to do the nightly news for the Du Mont network and then his subsequent Night Beat interview program, he solidified his reputation as a probing journalist that he brought most famously to 60 Minutes.

The Archive interviewed Mike Wallace for three hours in 1998. Click here to access his complete Archive interview.