Andy Rooney Breaks Down About Cronkite

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During the private funeral services held for Walter Cronkite, his long-time friend Andy Rooney was overcome with emotion and excused himself midway through his speech. Luckily, Rooney was able to give his goodbye a second chance on '60 Minutes' where he spoke out about their friendship, which spanned over 65 years.

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Cronkite and Rooney met in London in 1945 as reporters during WW2 and continued their friendship once they returned to the U.S. "Walter Cronkite was a really good friend of mine -- a best friend. I didn't just know Walter well -- I didn't respect him. I didn't revere him. I just liked him a lot," Rooney said during his '60 Minutes' segment.

Cronkite, the CBS broadcast news icon who was dubbed "the most trusted man in America," died at the age of 92. According to a CBS executive, Cronkite died with his family by his side after he fell ill. His span on the news world covered many generations, from the Kennedy assassination to the moon landing the Iranian hostage crisis.

"I've been proud over the years to see Walter become not just one of the best known people on television, but one of the best known people in the whole world," Rooney said.

During Cronkite's funeral on July 23, Rooney admitted, "I can't get over it." Although he tried to go deeper into their long friendship, he cut himself short because he was unable to control his emotions.

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"I just feel so terrible about Walter's death that I can hardly say anything. He's been such a good friend over the years," Rooney added before asking to be excused from the memorial stage.

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Remembering Walter Cronkite

'60 Minutes' commentator Andy Rooney speaks at the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St.Bartholomew's Church in New York, July 23, 2009.

Reuters

Remembering Walter Cronkite

In this photo released by CBS, "60 Minutes" correspondent Andy Rooney, left, enters St. Bartholomew's Church prior to the funeral service for Walter Cronkite in New York, Thursday, July 23, 2009. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) ** NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY **

American mezzo-soprano Joanna Simon leaves St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, Thursday, July 23, 2009 after the funeral for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church. (AP Photo/William Regan)

In this photo released by CBS, ABC President David Westin, right, speaks with Barbara Walters during the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church, Thursday, July 23, 2009 in New York. Seated at left is ABS New's Charlie Gibson. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) ** NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY **

In this photo released by CBS, CBS New's Bob Schieffer, center, sits in the pews next to "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Croft, top right, during the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, Thursday, July 23, 2009. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) **NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY**

In this photo released by CBS, an unidentified man taps former "CBS Evening News" anchor Dan Rather on the shoulder during the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church, Thursday, July 23, 2009 in New York. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) ** NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY **

Bob Schieffer, CBS News' chief Washington correspondent, left, stands under an umbrella with Don Hewitt, the creator of the CBS news magazine "60 Minutes" after the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, Thursday, July 23, 2009. (AP Photo/William Regan)

People gather behind a barricade to watch attendees of the funeral for CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church Thursday, July 23, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

In this photo released by CBS, the Today Show's Meredith Vieira, ceter, finds a seat prior to the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomews Church , Thursday, July 23, 2009 in New York. At the bottom right is the Today Show's Ann Curry with Matt Lauer seated next to her. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) **NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY**

CBS News 60 minutes commentator Andy Rooney speaks at the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, July 23, 2009. REUTERS/John Filo - CBS/Handout (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARY) NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Reuters

In this photo released by CBS, "60 Minutes" Correspondent Andy Rooney, speaks during the funeral service for Walter Cronkite at St. Bartholomews Church in New York, Thursday, July 23, 2009 in New York. Cronkite died Friday, July 17, 2009 at his New York City home. He was 92. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo) **NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICA USE ONLY**

2009-07-27 10:26:37

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