Nana also told me that one of the most difficult things about getting older is that people you have known and respected all your life die. And when they pass you feel you'll never see the likes of them again.
Mr. Mike Wallace passed on this weekend at the age of 93. He spent 68 years in radio and television, 38 of those years on 60 Minutes.
His good friend Morley Safer said - " For half a century, he took on corrupt politicians, scam artists and bureaucratic bumblers. His visits were preceded by the four dreaded words: Mike Wallace is here."
Mr. Mike Wallace believed a good journalist should - Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable
I loved Mike most when he would look at the person he was interviewing with an incredulous expression and simply ask “Why?” His direct stare would never waver and he would allow no wiggle room.
He told reporters late in his life that if he could write his own epigraph, it would read, "Tough But Fair."
Peaceful Journey Mr. Mike Wallace
18 comments:
I read an interesting statistic when reading about him: when he was born in 1918, almost no home in the country had a radio. He lived during a time that showed the most amazing progress in connection we are likely to ever see again. Blue skies, Mike Wallace.
It is like the end of an era; I remember his confrontations with Westmoreland over Viet Nam...hope he has found his peace. Hope you (and the ever adorable Miss Hope had a wonderful holiday. Did she get to wear her cowgirl hat?
He will be missed! He was an incredible man and one I admired so much. The end of an era indeed! I, too, hope he has found his peace. Hope you had a lovely holiday weekend! Hugs to Hope and to you.
Sylvia
A lovely tribute, as I knew it would be from you.
Thanks for a great eulogy!!!
May a gracious God be good to him!
Mike Wallace was an American Original. He was so tough and mentally agile well into his late 80's. Hell, he was 89 when he worked Roger Clemens over in '08.
Jay
What a WONDERFUL Tribute ro "Mr. Mike".....He was really something! He is from that time when CBS had the truly GREAT Commentators and Newspeople. I even rember when he and his first(?) wife had a show called "Mike & Buff" or was it "Buff & Mike"...anyway....He was always "Tough, But Fair".
RIP dear Mike Wallace.
One of the last of a true breed
Sounds like we could do with more like him in journalism today. I love the epitaph.
He also knew the story/news wasn't about him. He always gave it straight. He was one of the last of a dying breed.
Excellent tribute, Dianne. Thanks!
Mike Wallace: One of the true pioneers of the medium. RIP, my friend.
He was a great one, to be sure!
he was a guy after my own heart..a curmudgeon
He certainly was a wonderful interviewer. We enjoyed watching him and this is a terrific tribute to him with great pictures. Thanks. Have a great day.
He sounds like the type of person I would like - one of the good guys.
a loss and not just for those who knew him well ...
RIP, Mr. Mike Wallace! We will sure miss you & your skills. They don't make them like this anymore
:(
He was a real American original and a great journalist. thanks for the lovely post.
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