Channing, Henderson and More On Cronkite Passing

Legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite died last night, Friday July 17th after a long battle with illness at the age of 92. Stage and screen legends Carol Channing and Florence Henderson commented on the iconic newsman's passing.

Carol Channing commented, "I adored both Walter and his wife Betsy. We were together often. He had worked as a theatre reporter covering vaudeville and he knew everyone. I just loved to hear his stories. Oh he was so funny. He and Betsy were a wonderful couple. Betsy loved to tease him, well both of us really, but he loved it."

Florence Henderson remembered, "I knew him well. We shared a love of boats. I performed at the first Kennedy Center Honors when he hosted. I think every reporter owes him a debt and every journalist today and in the future should be required to study everything he did.

Producer Harlan Boll, "I adored Walter. His office was one of the most amazing places. I have such fond memories of sitting and talking to him in NY. He was a great supporter of children and participated in the book I worked on years ago call Portraits of Life by photographing with a child who was HIV to show people they didn't have to be afraid of those living with the disease. I once asked if I sent him a copy of his book, would he sign it. I was told not to buy one and three days later a copy arrived signed to me. A truly great man."

Cronkite's longtime chief of staff, Marlene Adler, announced that Cronkite died at 7:42 p.m. at his Manhattan home surrounded by family. She said the cause of death was cerebral vascular disease.

In a pre-recorded performance in the 1995 Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, Walter Cronkite was the Book Voice.

Cronkite started his career as a war correspondent, before being signed to CBS by the legendary Edward R. Murrow. Cronkite landed the anchor job at CBS Evening News on April 16, 1962, a job he held until his retirement in 1981. 

During the heyday of CBS News in the 1970s and 1980s, he was often described in viewer opinion polls as "the most trusted man in America" because of his professional experience and kindly demeanor. Walter Conkrite covered some of the biggest news stories of the 20th century, including the Kennedy Assassination, the Moon landings and the Vietnam War.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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