Before becoming a fixture of American broadcast journalism, Mike Wallace navigated a diverse career as a radio announcer, game show host, and television actor. His transition from the varied entertainment roles of the 1950s to his rigorous investigative work at CBS defined a seven-decade career that spanned the evolution of national media and mass communication in the United States.
Early Career and Radio Origins
Born in Brookline in 1918, Wallace attended Brookline High School before graduating from the University of Michigan in 1939. His early professional life centered on radio. He served as a newscaster for WOOD in Grand Rapids and WXYZ in Detroit. During World War II, he joined the United States Navy, serving as a communications officer on the USS Anthedon. Following his 1946 discharge, he returned to Chicago to work as a freelance announcer for various programs, including The Green Hornet and The Spike Jones Show.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Transition to Television
In 1949, Wallace moved into television, starring in the police drama Stand By for Crime. Throughout the 1950s, his work was largely commercial and entertainment-focused. He hosted game shows such as The Big Surprise, Who's the Boss?, and Who Pays?. Simultaneously, he developed his interview style on programs like Night Beat and The Mike Wallace Interview. In 1959, he produced a documentary regarding the Nation of Islam, titled The Hate That Hate Produced, which brought the organization and figures like Malcolm X to a broader national audience.
The 60 Minutes Era
Wallace joined CBS as a news correspondent, anchoring the CBS Morning News from 1963 to 1966. In 1968, he became an original correspondent on the news magazine program 60 Minutes. This role established his reputation for investigative journalism, which he maintained until his retirement as a full-time correspondent in 2006. He remained associated with the network until 2008. His career was marked by the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Brookline
- Died: 2012, New Haven
- Education: University of Michigan
- Notable work: 60 Minutes
- Military service: United States Navy, World War II
- Member of: Zeta Beta Tau
- Burial site: West Chop Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Did Mike Wallace serve in the military?
Yes, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served as a communications officer on the USS Anthedon during World War II.
What programs did Wallace host before his journalism career?
He hosted several game shows, including The Big Surprise, Who's the Boss?, and Who Pays?, and worked as a radio announcer for shows such as Sky King and The Green Hornet.
Achievements
- Notable work: 60 Minutes
- Affiliated with CBS
- Educated at University of Michigan, Brookline High School and Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Worked as journalist, film producer and television presenter
