Andy Rooney, the cranky and lovable commentator for TV’s 60 Minutes, has died at age 92.
CBS News says Andy Rooney “died Friday night in a hospital in New York City of complications following minor surgery.” Rooney actually had the surgery in late October, it seems, and was hospitalized after having problems last week.
Rooney gave up his weekly slot on 60 Minutes just last month. He delivered a total of 1,097 of his famous show-closing essays on topics ranging from bottled water to modern art. His gently grumpy comments about the minutia of daily life brought to mind the essays of Robert Benchley.
Perhaps Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz is a more apt comparison. Like Schulz, Rooney died right after giving up his day job.
Andy Rooney had a long career as a TV writer and journalist before beginning his 60 Minutes career. He even flew on bombing raids over Germany during World War II. Good luck, Mr. Rooney, wherever you are.