Remembering Mike Wallace 1918-2012

(CBS News) 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.

Wallace took to heart the old reporter's pledge to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. He characterized himself as "nosy and insistent."

So insistent, there were very few 20th century icons who didn't submit to a Mike Wallace interview. He lectured Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, on corruption. He lectured Yassir Arafat on violence.

He asked the Ayatollah Khoumeini if he were crazy.

The Other Mike Wallace: Philanthropist and Male Nurse
CBS' iconic newsman Mike Wallace dead at 93
"60 Minutes OT" Video: A look back at memorable Mike Wallace reports
Quoteboard: News world reacts to Mike Wallace's passing

He traveled with Martin Luther King (whom Wallace called his hero). He grappled with Louis Farrakhan.

And he interviewed Malcolm X shortly before his assassination.

Mike Wallace interviews President John F,. Kennedy.

/ CBS News

He was no stranger to the White House, interviewing his friends the Reagans . . . John F. Kennedy . . . Lyndon Johnson . . . Jimmy Carter. Even Eleanor Roosevelt.

Plus all those remarkable characters: Leonard Bernstein, Johnny Carson, Luciano Pavarotti, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Salvador Dali, Barbra Streisand. His take-no-prisoners style became so famous he even spoofed it with comedian Jack Benny.

It's hard to believe, but when Wallace was born in 1918 there wasn't even a radio in most American homes, much less a TV.

As a youth, Wallace said, he was "an overachiever. I worked pretty hard. Played a hell of a fiddle."

At the University of Michigan, where his parents hoped he'd become a doctor or lawyer, he got hooked instead on radio. And by 1941, Mike was the announcer on "The Green Hornet."

"My family didn't know what to make of it - an announcer?" he recalled.

He was soon the hardest-working announcer in broadcasting.

30 Photos

Remembering Mike Wallace, 1918-2012

View the Full Gallery »

When television arrived in the 1950s, Wallace was everywhere . . . variety shows, game shows, dramas, commercials.

But it was an interview show called "Nightbeat," first broadcast in 1956, that Wallace remembered fit him like custom-made brass knuckles. "We decided to ask the irreverent question, the abrasive question, the who-gives-a-damn question."

Some, like labor leader Mike Quill, had never been spoken to that way. "Go ahead and ask your stupid questions," he retorted.

Neither had mobster Mickey Cohen, whom Wallace asked, "How many men have you killed, Mickey?"

• no previous page
• next

1/2

[yarn101]

The orginal 60 minute man I remeber when 60 minutes begain in the year of 1968 it was also the year when the movie night of living dead was shown. Did'nt know what to make of it at first quickly latched onto the show when it was aired every Sunday night finally left the Wonderful world of Disney. "So long Mickey Mouse"! When growing up in Northern California I recall a local CBS affilate KPIX San Fransico would run the Muppuet show right before 60 minutes. Strange thing is it? But for some strange reason I would picture Mike Wallace, Morely Safer, and Dan Rather as Muppuets doing 60 minutes come to think of it I wonder what would happen if Mike Wallace would have interviewd Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, Cookie monster, Big bird, and Oscar the grouch? would they all fall under the Mike Wallace treatment?

[kaytothe2nd]

Mike Wallace, or anyone else, who cares more about getting the story than about the lives of American solders is neither a journalist nor a reporter; just a narcissistic glory seeker!

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=wallace+%27reporter+first%27+video&mid=286620158A20DC585781286620158A20DC585781&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2

[JohnHinAZ]

What I remember about Mike Wallace is an old joke: How do you know it's going to be a really bad day? When you open your front door and Mike Wallace is standing there. He was irreplaceable.

[ianhsutton]

This man, as with Murrow, Cronkite, Hewitt and the other giants of CBS News, will forever be irreplaceable. As said of Ceasar (per Shakespeare...and justifiably or not): this was a man: when comes such another.

[calchick82]

We need more journalists out there like Mike Wallace who are unafraid and will not kiss up to their interview subjects. He had balls! RIP Mike, and thank you for never conducting the standard, boring, safe interviews with people, but for CHALLENGING them.

[Saumyazone]

http://liveoncampus.com/wire/show/3364540
Here's one of Wallace's greatest conversations with the Emperor of Iran. One of his best ever.
It is indeed the passing of a journalistic generation.
A towering figure in journalism, Mike Wallace also should be remembered for courageously shining a light on the illness of depression.
RIP Mike Wallace.

[gcblues1]

not just wallace is dead. little by little the entire left wing kool aid machine masquerading as news is dying. fox is leading the way by airing all sides by reporting news instead of making news like wallace did. trevon is the latest example of bilge the people are sick of being fed. wallace, good riddance.

[tibiaornottibia]

There goes the country. When morons believe the Goebbels-esque BS Faux News and Limbaugh have been spewing out the past twenty years, it's no wonder we're on the downhill slide.

[kakienlevie]

http://bewarehalaustin.wordpress.com/about/

[greenlantern1]

Mike Wallace passed away.
Before him, Walter Cronkite passed away.
Andy Rooney passed away.
Dan Rather was fired.
Not to worry.
We still have the likes of Rush Limbaugh!

[Jphilmlee]

We still have Bill Plant

[tibiaornottibia]

Rush is in a scategory all his own.

[Khoshteep]

Are you saying you didn't set up men kind for failure? Then why the forbidden fruit? (Mike Wallace interviewing God upon arrival to after life) Rest In Peace Mr. Wallace.