'60 Minutes' Bob Simon dies in car crash
Twitter reaction to news man's passing is swift, powerful
Legendary newsman Bob Simon was killed Wednesday night in a car crash in New York City. The celebrated “60 Minutes” correspondent’s storied career spanned five decades. He joined CBS News in 1967 and covered war zones around the world beginning with the Vietnam War. Simon, 73, remained active on the broadcast, covering both conflict and culture. He reported a feature on the Oscar-nominated civil rights drama "Selma" that aired just last weekend.
"Bob was a reporter's reporter. He was driven by a natural curiosity that took him all over the world covering every kind of story imaginable," said 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager in a statement.
"It is such a tragedy made worse because we lost him in a car accident, a man who has escaped more difficult situations than almost any journalist in modern times,” Fager said.
Journalists and celebrities quickly took to social media to share their shock over Simon’s sudden death, and to celebrate the 27-time Emmy award winner's career, with many tweeting links to Simon’s reports.
.@ScottPelley reports on death of legendary @CBSNews correspondent Bob Simon. http://t.co/WKO96lo8dj http://t.co/hipLdhP62f
— CBSN (@CBSNLive) February 12, 2015
"[Bob Simon] was brave — he would go places where you probably shouldn't have gone" http://t.co/9gwHCum2vg pic.twitter.com/kV9ucOwNcw
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 12, 2015
In America, he's Bob Simon. In Israel, he was simply "Bub." Life as a foreign correspondent: http://t.co/S4QWrGByEE pic.twitter.com/wqlPShl3Pj
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 12, 2015
#BobSimon was the best writer, in my opinion, working in broadcast news. I have admired him from the time I was a kid watching #CBSNews
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) February 12, 2015
Heartbreaking news about Bob Simon of @60Minutes, a brilliant writer and reporter and someone I admired deeply.
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) February 12, 2015
One of the great writers of a generation has passed. Bob Simon was a journalist of extraordinary courage.
— Scott Pelley (@ScottPelley) February 12, 2015
Condolences to the family of my friend and long-time colleague, CBS News Correspondent Bob Simon.
— Dan Rather (@TheDanRather) February 12, 2015
This afternoon I sat in Bob Simon's office and we bantered- "what are u working on kiddo? Are u gonna lead the show this weekend?" Such loss
— Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) February 12, 2015
Gutted to hear the news about Bob Simon. An absolute master of his craft.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) February 12, 2015
The entire journalism family. RT: @ChrisLicht: The tragic loss of Bob Simon is heartbreaking news for the entire CBS family. A true legend.
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) February 12, 2015
#BobSimon asked me to be on 60 Minutes in 2003. A true professional and a great human being. A friend to the voiceless everywhere. RIP
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 12, 2015
#BobSimon: A gentlemen journalist. Elegant. Courageous. He wrote beautifully and listened well R.I.P http://t.co/a5DT0HTxsa
— Byron Pitts (@byronpitts) February 12, 2015
Loss of #BobSimon Tragic news. Interviewed me. Epitomized what journalism can and should be. Mourn his passing. Told me about Iraqi diet.
— T. Boone Pickens (@boonepickens) February 12, 2015
Bob Simon was a legendary journalist. Always admired his work and devotion to getting the true story. My thoughts are with his family.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) February 12, 2015
So sorry to learn of the passing of Bob Simon. He was a great reporter & wonderful man. A frequent guest of mine. So sorry to hear this. RIP
— Larry King (@kingsthings) February 12, 2015
My heart goes out to Bob's family. I worked with him. True journalist. http://t.co/lDqJCkENsP
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 12, 2015
Bob Simon's writing and storytelling were the best of what tv journalism can be. He leaves a huge void. My prayers are w his family and CBS
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) February 12, 2015
A courageous, no-nonsense reporter with the touch of a poet RIP Bob Simon http://t.co/uIgjMqvF4D
— Candy Crowley (@CandyCrowley) February 12, 2015
The Great Zamperini - a great story by the late, great Bob Simon https://t.co/UbBHCXgeDv
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 12, 2015
I never met him, but it feels like I knew him after all these years of watching @60Minutes . RIP Bob Simon
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) February 12, 2015
RIP Bob Simon, one of the greatest reporters. My love and prayers to Mr. Simon's family. #bobsimon
— Patty Duke (@pattyduke_id) February 12, 2015
Never met Bob Simon but wish I had. Loved his reports, loved his style. Truly, one of the greats of TV journalism.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 12, 2015
Bob Simon in '13: "adrenaline that keeps us going...I'm never going to retire. Nobody ever retires from 60 Minutes." https://t.co/sLcNLE3KOb
— Chris Donovan (@chrisdonovan) February 12, 2015
