Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey help Barbara Walters say farewell

Oprah Winfrey and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton paid surprise visits to Barbara Walters on Thursday as the veteran newswoman taped her final edition of "The View" to end a half-century career on television.

Actor Michael Douglas, a longtime friend and frequent subject of Walters' interviews, also dropped by for the tribute.

And after hailing the 84-year-old Walters for helping open the door to women in TV news, Winfrey introduced a parade of additional surprise guests: roughly two dozen prominent on-air women for whom Walters helped pave the way. They included Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts.

Walters, who began her TV career on NBC's "Today" show in 1962, created "The View" 17 years ago.

The farewell episode airs Friday at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.

A two-hour special celebrating Walters' life and legacy will air on the network that night beginning at 9 p.m. ET.