NEW YORK (AP) - Longtime CBS correspondent Mike Wallace is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a fiercely aggressive interviewer who was proud of his intimidating demeanor.
CBS News chairman Jeff Fager says Wallace, who died last night in a Connecticut care facility, was well aware of his reputation as a tough, pugnacious interviewer. He says Wallace "loved the fact that if he showed up for an interview, it made people nervous."
Fox News Channel Roger Ailes says he never heard anyone accuse Wallace of taking a "cheap shot" or "playing some kind of game." He says of Wallace, "He actually was trying to serve the audience, and that's what made him great."
ABC News President Ben Sherwood says Wallace established a huge following for CBS's "60 Minutes." He says millions of viewers regularly tuned in every Sunday night to see what questions he would ask and who would be on the receiving end of his interrogations.
"60 Minutes" plans a full tribute to Wallace next Sunday.
