A lot of you have sent me wonderful letters and said good things to me when you meet me in the street. I wasn't always gracious about it. It's hard to accept being liked. I don't say this often, but thank you. Although, if you do see me in a restaurant, please, just let me eat my dinner. 

 

 

 

Rooney started his writing career as a correspondent for the military newspaper Stars and Stripes after he was drafted in 1941. He often wrote about the men on bombing missions, eventually publishing a book about their experiences in 1944. After the war, Rooney became a free lance magazine writer, and then, moved to television. He was the 60 minutes original, starting with the show as a producer and become a regular on air contributor in 1978. Rooney's diatribes documenting the struggles of modern life were an instant hit.

 

 

 

Part of my success is how average I am. I'm a very normal guy. And it does not occur to me walking down the street that anyone recognizes me. 

 

 

 

His talents earned him six Writers' Guild of America awards and four Emmies. 

 

 

 

If it's any good I can write it in a couple of hours, and if it isn't any good, it takes me a couple of days. 

 

 

 

Rooney also wrote a syndicated column that appeared in more than 200 newspapers each day and published more than a dozen books. On October 2nd, 2011, after 33 years on 60 minutes, he gave his final regular commentary. 

 

 

 

In all this time, I've been paid to say what is on my mind on television. You don't get any luckier in life than that. 

 

 

 

The common man with the common touch. I'm Karen Caifa reporting.