Don Hewitt, Creator of “60 Minutes”, Dies Wednesday at 86

Don Hewitt, the CBS News executive who created the longtime staple TV show “60 Minutes,” died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer. He was 86.

Hewitt is credited for transforming television journalism by showing that news programs can garner high advertising revenues. In addition, he was integral in increasing the importance of television in politics.

Hewitt started his career at CBS News in 1948 and served as producer-director of the network's evening news broadcast for 14 years. He also served as executive producer for the 1960 Presidential Debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, which is still the most-watched debate in American history.

Hewitt later became executive producer of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite and then launched the 8-time Emmy winning show 60 Minutes, which is currently the longest-running prime time broadcast on American television.

"60 Minutes" featured some of America's most prominent broadcasters over its years, including Mike Wallace, Ed Bradley, Connie Chung, Walter Cronkite, Bryant Gumbel, Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper and Charlie Rose. Andy Rooney has contributed to the show's commentator since 1978.

Hewitt stepped aside as executive producer of “60 Minutes” in 2004 at 81. He authored two books: Tell Me a Story: Fifty Years and 60 Minutes in Television and Minute by Minute.

He was survived by his wife of 30 years, Marilyn Berger, and four children.

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