Monday, April 9, 2012

Mr. Mike Wallace

My Nana always called him that. "Dianne, did you see Mr. Mike Wallace chasing that crook? He's a character that Mr. Mike Wallace."

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:

DJan said...

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.

ds said...

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?

Sylvia K said...

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

Hilary said...

A lovely tribute, as I knew it would be from you.

Kay Dennison said...

Thanks for a great eulogy!!!

May a gracious God be good to him!

I'm With Stupid said...

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

OldLady Of The Hills said...

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.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

One of the last of a true breed

Imaginography said...

Sounds like we could do with more like him in journalism today. I love the epitaph.

nitebyrd said...

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!

HermanTurnip said...

Mike Wallace: One of the true pioneers of the medium. RIP, my friend.

Linda Reeder said...

He was a great one, to be sure!

Rambling Woods said...

he was a guy after my own heart..a curmudgeon

Marg said...

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.

Akelamalu said...

He sounds like the type of person I would like - one of the good guys.

Daryl said...

a loss and not just for those who knew him well ...

Ivanhoe said...

RIP, Mr. Mike Wallace! We will sure miss you & your skills. They don't make them like this anymore
:(

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

He was a real American original and a great journalist. thanks for the lovely post.