Celebrity Deathwatch: Tim Russert

Meet The Press host Tim Russert has died at age 58 from an apparent heart attack. He had just returned from Italy a celebratory vacation after his son graduated from Boston College.

I was always impressed by him and his work. He was tough and even handed. If he had any personal political agenda, he never let it show on the air. He was a consumate professional.

From MSNBC:

JEFF IMMELT, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, GENERAL ELECTRIC: Everyone at GE and at NBC Universal is devastated by the loss of our colleague and friend Tim Russert. Tim was a giant in journalism and a face and a voice that America trusted. He earned that trust through hard work, love of his profession and, above all, through his enduring honesty and integrity. And most importantly, Tim was a wonderful human being who valued family and friends over all. We will miss him greatly. My sincerest sympathies go out to Tim's family and to the many people whose lives he touched.

JEFF ZUCKER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NBC UNIVERSAL:We are heartbroken at the sudden passing of Tim Russert. We have lost a beloved member of our NBC Universal family and the news world has lost one of its finest. The enormity of this loss cannot be overstated. More than a journalist, Tim was a remarkable family man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Maureen, their son, Luke, and Tim's entire extended family.
STEVE CAPUS, PRESIDENT, NBC NEWS:This is a loss for the entire nation. Everyone at NBC News is in shock and absolutely devastated. He was our respected colleague, mentor, and dear friend. Words can not express our heartbreak. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maureen, Luke, Big Russ and all of Tim's family.

BOB SCHIEFFER: "Tim was the best of our profession. He asked the best questions and then he listened for the answer. We became very close friends over the years. He delighted in scooping me and I felt the same way when I scooped him. When you slipped one past ol' Russert, you felt as though you had hit a home run off the best pitcher in the league. I just loved Tim and I will miss him more than I can say, and my heart goes out to his son, Luke, and his wife, Maureen."
GEORGE STEPHANOPOLOUS: Tim loved everything about politics and journalism -- because he believed in it. Every Sunday morning he brought that passion to his table and made all of us better. My thoughts and prayers are with his family -- especially Maureen, Luke and his father Russ.

Heaven just got smarter.