From the cbsnews.com web site: “It’s a sad day at ’60 Minutes’ and for everybody here at CBS News,” said Jeff Fager, chairman of CBS News and the executive producer of “60 Minutes.” “It’s hard to imagine not having Andy around. He loved his life and he lived it on his own terms. We will miss him very much.”
We had reported last week that Rooney had been listed in ‘serious condition’ in the hospital for complications following a surgery. Rooney had just signed off on Oct. 2, 2011 with his 1,097th essay, after 33 years on the air with the “60 minutes” news show on CBS.
Rooney’s career as a reporter and writer went back to his work for Stars and Stripes where he covered the World War II, and later wrote 4 books on the same topic.
During his time in the public spotlight, Rooney has been the recipient of many awards for his work, including 3 Emmy awards.
As he closed his last show on the 2nd of October, just weeks ago, Rooney closed by saying, in classic Andy Rooney style, “I wish I could do this forever. I can’t, though.”