Tonight's episode of "60 Minutes" will honor the late journalist by revisiting some of his best stories. Photo property of CBS News.
By: Jacob Elyachar
The journalism world has lost one of its’ greats: Mike Wallace. The iconic 60 Minutes correspondent was known as one of the most ferocious reporters in the industry.
Over his multi-decade career, he has interviewed thousands of newsmakers including former heads of states in multiple countries, crooks and artistic legends. This past week saw tributes coming from former colleagues on rival networks, longtime friends and countless news commentators from around the country.
Jacobelyacharjournalist.com would like to salute the legendary journalist by highlighting some of his best interviews that have been seen by multiple generations.
The Family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1968)
Mike Wallace’s powerful interview with the late Dr King’s family in 1968 where he visited with the late Civil Rights leader’s family six months after Dr. King’s assassination. This segment spoke volumes because it painted a picture of a strong family who experienced tragedy and rose above their own situations to look into our nation’s future.
Click here to watch his interview with the eloquent Coretta Scott King and her children: http://youtu.be/ex0bvt-UbOI
Clint Hill (1975)
Clint Hill was a former Secret Service agent who accompanied the late President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, on their infamous trip to Dallas, where Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated the President. Thirteen years after this tragic event in American history, Agent Hill opened up with Mike Wallace about his failing to save the President.
To watch this interview clip, click here: http://youtu.be/xCy3yqIOBI4
Mike Wallace’s interview begins at 0:32 and ends at 3:49.
Ayatollah Khomeini (1979)
Out of Mike Wallace’s many interviews, one that stood out to many viewers and colleagues was his 1979 interview with the first Supreme Leader of Iran: the feared Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In an intense moment, Wallace quoted then Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who declared the Supreme Leader a lunatic and a “disgrace to Islam” and asked for his comment. This question shocked the Ayatollah’s translator and received a strong response.
The History Channel aired a documentary called Crisis in Iran that contained this interview. Click here to watch this segment: http://youtu.be/j1fzFNsu15U
General William C. Westmoreland (1982)
From 1959 to the 1990s, CBS Reports delivered impeccable documentaries on several controversial topics that included migrant workers in the United States and homosexuality. However, the most controversial story that aired in this documentary series lead to a $120 million libel suit: Westmoreland vs. CBS. Titled The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception showcased that General William Westmoreland’s intelligence officers “deliberately underreported the size and strength of the enemy in Vietnam.”[1]
Click here to watch part of the documentary including the heated interview: http://youtu.be/5tsZP2lXQVw
Louis Farrakhan (1996)
It was a rare to have an interview subject lash out at the legendary journalist. When Wallace interviewed the Head of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan in 1996 one of his statements that made the leader explode was calling Nigeria, the most corrupt nation in the world. This prompted the leader to blast him and countered Wallace’s statement with America’s mistreatment of Native Americans and African-Americans. The 1996 interview makes this list because it marks a true debate that is seen on 60 Minutes.
To watch the explosive interview, click here: http://youtu.be/Os5DlODMoNg
Roger Clemens (2008)
One of Mike Wallace’s final 60 Minutes interviews was with baseball superstar Roger Clemens. The former baseball player fell from grace by being accused by his former New York Yankees trainer Brian McNamee of taking steroids.
To watch part one interview, click here: http://youtu.be/12OS6X0FO4g and part two: http://youtu.be/ThWV_YT6u98
Mr. Wallace, thank you for being an inspiration for journalists for many generations. You will be missed.
60 Minutes will air a tribute tonight showcasing some of his legendary interviews. To learn more about this tribute, visit 60 Minutes’ Website: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
I do not own any of these clips that are in this article, they belong to the CBS News organization.
[1] Wallace, Mike and Gary Paul Gates Between You and Me (2005)
Really interesting article!!