The Passing of Andy Rooney
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Photos: www.zimbio.com
Just recently on October 2nd, the legendary journalist and commentator, Andy Rooney,signed off at ’60 Minutes’ after being the grouchy and opinionated reporter with the bushy eyebrows each week since 1978. He was very outspoken but we all looked forward to hearing his steadfast opinion. His contribution to journalism left a huge impact on the industry and he became a mentor to many.
Les Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation, called Rooney an icon of our time.
We are all saddened to learn that at the age of 92, Rooney has passed away due to complications following minor surgery last month.
Rooney was born in Albany, New York on January 14, 1919 and was drafted into the army in 1941 at which time he began writing. He won a Bronze Star for his reporting on the battle of Saint-Lo, France. He wrote many books about his war experiences. CBS hired him in 1949 as a writer for the Arthur Godfrey radio and television entertainment show. ’60 Minutes’ earned him 2 of 4 Emmys and he earned 6 Writer’s Guild of America awards and one Peabody Award.
Controversy seemed to follow Andy Rooney throughout his career such as the monumental moment when he called Mel Gibson a “wacko”.
Rooney thought of himself as an ordinary guy and attributes that to his success. His ’60 Minutes’ team loved him for the person that he was. We knew week after week that the show was at an end as Andy Rooney appeared at his desk and gave us his latest viewpoint for that particular week.
Rooney’s wife of 62 years, Marguerite, died in 2004. He is survived by his four children: Ellen Rooney, a photographer; Brian Rooney, the television correspondent; Emily Rooney, the original host of a Boston public affairs TV program; and Martha Fishel, chief of the public services division of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Rooney also leaves behind five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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