Stephen Chernin/Reuters
CBS News has reported the death of broadcaster Morley Safer at 84 years old. He had officially retired just last week after 46 years in the business. According to the network, Safer’s health had been “in decline” when it announced his retirement. His wife, Jane Safer, told The New York Times he died of pneumonia.
“Morley was a fixture, one of our pillars, and an inspiration in many ways. He was a master storyteller, a gentleman, and a wonderful friend. We will miss him very much,” 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager said in a statement. “Morley was one of the most important journalists in any medium, ever,” added CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves.
CBS News celebrated his long career this past Sunday evening with a post-60 Minutes special, titled Morley Safer: A Reporter’s Life, featuring interviews with historians, colleagues, past interview subjects, and Safer himself. Perhaps showing his sense of humor, Safer told CBS upon his retirement: “What would I do if I wasn’t doing this? I have not a clue. Maybe running a whorehouse or something like that. I’m not equipped to do much else.”