“60 Minutes” Creator Don Hewitt Dead at 86

"60 Minutes" creator and journalism pioneer Don Hewitt, 86, died today, five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

In 1968, CBS debuted "60 Minutes," the groundbreaking investigative news show that aired weekly on Sunday nights. Hewitt remained on as the show's executive producer until 2004.

The eight-time Emmy winner had already been with CBS news for 20 years when he created "60 Minutes," serving as producer and director of the network's evening newscast. He also served as a director of "See It Now," hosted by Fred Friendly and Edward R. Murrow, and the Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960. Beginning in 1962, Hewitt was Cronkite's executive producer on the "CBS Evening News."

"America had a love affair with Walter Cronkite," Hewitt noted at the time of his friend's passing.

Get more: CBS, MSNBC

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