Mike Wallace, right, poses for a photograph with actor Errol Flynn before an episode of NBC's "The Big Surprise," a TV quiz show that Wallace hosted.
7 Images

Mike Wallace | 1918 - 2012

Mike Wallace, right, poses for a photograph with actor Errol Flynn before an episode of NBC's "The Big Surprise," a TV quiz show that Wallace hosted.

Mike Wallace, right, poses for a photograph with actor Errol Flynn before an episode of NBC’s “The Big Surprise,” a TV quiz show that Wallace hosted. (Matty Zimmerman / Associated Press)

As the self-described "black hat" of "60 Minutes," Mike Wallace circled the globe, displaying his charm and wit and asking sometimes barbed, always penetrating questions of kings and presidents, business magnates and bureaucrats.

As the self-described “black hat” of “60 Minutes,” Mike Wallace circled the globe, displaying his charm and wit and asking sometimes barbed, always penetrating questions of kings and presidents, business magnates and bureaucrats. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

In this Oct. 15, 1984, photograph, Mike Wallace, right and CBS producer George Crile, left, leave the U.S. District Court in New York. The network and Wallace were for sued for $120 million by Gen. William Westmoreland, who, according to a "CBS Reports" documentary narrated by Wallace, had inflated enemy casualty figures to maintain support for the Vietnam War. Westmoreland eventually dropped the suit.

In this Oct. 15, 1984, photograph, Mike Wallace, right and CBS producer George Crile, left, leave the U.S. District Court in New York. The network and Wallace were for sued for $120 million by Gen. William Westmoreland, who, according to a “CBS Reports” documentary narrated by Wallace, had inflated enemy casualty figures to maintain support for the Vietnam War. Westmoreland eventually dropped the suit. (Mario Suriani / Associated Press)

Members of the "60 Minutes" staff gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Nov. 10, 1993, to celebrate the newsmagazine's 25th anniversary. From left are: Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Steve Kroft, Ed Bradley, Leslie Stahl and the show's executive producer, Don Hewitt.

Members of the “60 Minutes” staff gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Nov. 10, 1993, to celebrate the newsmagazine’s 25th anniversary. From left are: Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Steve Kroft, Ed Bradley, Leslie Stahl and the show’s executive producer, Don Hewitt. (Bob Strong / AFP/Getty Images)

Larry King, left, enjoys a light moment with "60 Minutes" newsman Mike Wallace during King's 70th birthday party at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills.

Larry King, left, enjoys a light moment with “60 Minutes” newsman Mike Wallace during King’s 70th birthday party at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Mike Wallace, right, talks with Disney CEO Michael Eisner at the Book Expo held at the Javits Center on June 4, 2005, in New York.

Mike Wallace, right, talks with Disney CEO Michael Eisner at the Book Expo held at the Javits Center on June 4, 2005, in New York. (Michael Nagle / Getty Images)

Mike Wallace insisted his interview subjects knew what they were getting into, often describing a "chemistry of confidentiality" that took hold during the process.

Mike Wallace insisted his interview subjects knew what they were getting into, often describing a “chemistry of confidentiality” that took hold during the process. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

1/7