Don Hewitt (60 Minutes creator) has died

American news producer Don Hewitt, who people may remember as the creator of CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” has sadly passed away today of pancreatic cancer. According to latimes.com, he died at his home in Bridgehampton, at the age of 86.

Hewitt had worked with industry giants such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite and he was a pivotal figure in the creation of modern television newscasts. He also directed the very first televised presidential debate in 1960.

It was back in 1968, that Hewitt came up with the idea for the hour-long, three segment documentary program called “60 Minutes,” that became one of the most watched programs for nearly quarter of a century. Our thoughts go out to his family.