Don Hewitt: 1922-2009

Don Hewitt in his New York office in 2003, during his last season as executive producer of "60 Minutes." In fashioning "60 Minutes" in 1968, Hewitt looked to adapt a print model for TV. The show is now the most successful and most respected broadcast in the history of TV journalism.

Don Hewitt, left, with Edward R. Murrow on the set of "See It Now."

Don Hewitt in Rome, Italy, for President Eisenhower's visit to Vatican City, December 5, 1959.

Don Hewitt of CBS News provides direction ahead of the first televised presidential debate between Sen. John F. Kennedy, seated at left, and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, seated at right, Sept. 25, 1960. In addition to producing "60 Minutes" for 36 years, Hewitt was famous for producing the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy debate, which many have said cost then-Vice President Richard M. Nixon the election.

Producer Don Hewitt, with Douglas Edwards, at left, on set of the CBS Evening News, Nov. 27, 1961, in New York.

Preparing for "A Conversation With The President." From left, President John F. Kennedy, Don Hewitt and Fred Friendly on Dec. 16, 1962, at The White House, in Washington.

CBS Evening News producer Don Hewitt talks on the telephone in his CBS News office, May 7, 1963, in New York.

Show creator and producer Don Hewitt confers with his two correspondents, Harry Reasoner, left, and Mike Wallace, as "60 Minutes" premieres in September 1968.

"60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt poses by the color camera on set, February 2, 1976.

60 Minutes correspondent Diane Sawyer, left and Don Hewitt, producer, in a CBS News control room, October 1, 1985.

Talk show host Larry King, actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr., broadcaster Walter Cronkite and "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt, are shown together at a gala for the Museum of Television and Radio at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, April 12, 1991.

Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Hillary Clinton speak with producer Don Hewitt, in 1992.

The 60 Minutes co-editors and correspondents. Back row, from left, Steve Kroft, Ed Bradley, Morley Safer and producer Don Hewitt. Front, from left, Andy Rooney, Lesley Stahl and Mike Wallace, September 1993.

Hewitt was profiled in an "American Masters" documentary called "90 Minutes on 60 Minutes." Hewitt poses May 6, 1998, in his New York office with some of the Emmy awards won by "60 Minutes."

Hewitt waves from the podium after speaking to his colleagues at the Freedom Forum in New York, Dec. 10, 1998. Hewitt said TV networks should combine newsgathering forces in a video wire service and spend some of the money they save to put news back into newsmagazines.

CBS News Anchor Dan Rather celebrates with Hewitt, the recipient of the 2000 Fred Friendly First Amendment Award bestowed by Quinnipiac College, May 10, 2000, in New York. Hewitt, who invented the news magazine format with the creation of "60 Minutes" in 1968, was honored for his pioneering work in broadcast journalism.

Past and present correspondents (Christiane Amanpour, Diane Sawyer, Steve Kroft, Meredith Viera, executive producer Philip Scheffler, Bob Simon, Lesley Stahl, Ed Bradley, Morely Safer and Andy Rooney) of "60 Minutes" join Hewitt on stage for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York, Sept. 3, 2003.

Hewitt and a guest arrive at CBS' 75th anniversary celebration, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York.

Hewitt answers questions from reporters during a Q&A session in the 2004 TCA Winter Press Tour, Jan. 17, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif.

Hewitt talks on the phone in his New York Office, May 4, 2004. At 81, Hewitt agreed to step down from his role at "60 Minutes" and become executive producer of CBS News.