One of the most important journalists of the 20th century, Don Hewitt is largely responsible for helping create the overall culture of television news. Born in New York, the newsman began his career in 1942 as head copyboy for the New York Herald Tribune. He would go on to work for the photo agency ACME Newspictures, which led to an offer from CBS, which was looking to spearhead its TV news coverage by hiring someone with photographic experience. He worked in many prominent capacities at CBS News, mostly in the realm of producer/director, and was involved in many important broadcasts such as the 1960 presidential candidate debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. After working as the executive producer for the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, he launched the news magazine show 60 Minutes in 1968, which would prove to be a massive success, airing for 40 years and winning many awards and accolades including Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and more. Hewitt was also involved in a 1996 tobacco industry scandal, helping bring controversial information to light, and was portrayed in the 1999 film The Insider by Philip Baker Hall. Hewitt passed away in 2009 at the age of 86.
Don Hewitt
Active - 2006 - 2019 |
Born - Dec 14, 1922 in New York, New York, United States |
Died - Aug 19, 2009 |
Genres - Historical Film, Culture & Society
Share on
Biography by AllMovie
Factsheet
- His interest in reporting began when he was a boy and, in the seventh grade, he won a Best Editorial contest in an issue of Junior Scholastic. Wrote a sports column for his school newspaper called Athlete's Footnotes. In 1942, began his career by reporting for the Pelham Sun during the day and moonlighting as head copyboy for the New York Herald Tribune. Met reporter Andy Rooney while in London as a merchant-marine correspondent during World War II. Directed the first televised network newscast for CBS on May 3, 1948. Produced the first 1960 Presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Produced and directed news programs featuring Douglas Edwards, Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. Devised the use of cue cards for newscasters. Was the executive producer and creator of the revolutionary newsmagazine 60 Minutes, which launched on September 24, 1968. Was the subject of the 1999 movie The Insider, about his decision to not air a controversial whistle-blowing report on the tobacco industry. Author of Minute by Minute (1985) and Tell Me a Story: 50 Years and 60 Minutes in Television (2001). Stepped down from 60 Minutes in 2004; during his tenure the show won more than 70 Emmys and nine Peabody Awards.