For awhile, we have no idea how long, whenever we look into the center of the famous CBS eye, we’re going to see the likeness of a man who for so long has been so closely associated with the network. Iconic “60 Minutes” commentator and program closer Andy Rooney has moved on.
He announced just over a month ago that he was bringing his career as a regular contributor to the program to a close, although he did not rule out making an appearance from time to time. But complications from minor surgery made the 10/2/11 program his last. It was the 1,097th time he’d filed an essay on the program.
According to CBS, the network has been making out a paycheck with Rooney’s name on it for over 60 years – he spent many of them behind the camera working as a writer and producer.
But he began his tenure on “60 Minutes” on 7/2/78, and the rest is history.
CBS News exec Jeff Fager said, “It’s a sad day at ’60 Minutes’ and for everybody here at CBS News. 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.”
