Andy Rooney
Andrew Aitken Rooney, commonly known as Andy Rooney, was a prominent American writer and television personality born in Albany, New York, in 1919. He initially aspired to be a writer at a young age and pursued this passion throughout his educational journey, eventually serving as the editor of a literary magazine at Colgate University. Rooney's career took a significant turn when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, where he worked as an army reporter for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. After the war, he became a freelance writer and contributed material to various radio and television programs, gaining recognition for his unique perspective on everyday life.
Rooney's style combined humor and commentary on mundane subjects, which resonated with a wide audience. He became a regular commentator on CBS's Sixty Minutes, where his segment "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" gained immense popularity. Throughout his career, Rooney received multiple accolades, including six Writers' Guild of America Awards and three Emmy Awards, highlighting his influence in the field of television commentary. He was also an accomplished author, having written sixteen books and numerous essays. Rooney's reflections on life and diverse topics remain a testament to his legacy as a keen observer of the human experience.
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Subject Terms
Andy Rooney
Television news commentator
- Born: January 14, 1919
- Birthplace: Albany, New York
- Died: November 4, 2011
Biography
Andrew Aitken Rooney, the son of Walter Scott and Ellinor Reynolds Rooney, was born in Albany, New York, in 1919. Around the age of twelve, Rooney decided that he eventually wanted a career as a writer. He earned his high school diploma from Albany Academy in 1938. He attended Colgate University, where he served as the editor of a literary magazine. In 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He became an army reporter and wrote articles for Stars and Stripes. Rooney married Marguerite Howard, a math teacher, in 1942. They reared three daughters and a son.
In 1944, Rooney and Oram C. Hutton published Air Gunner, a story about American soldiers serving in Europe during World War II. Two years later, they published The Story of the “Stars and Stripes,” an analysis of the development of the armed forces newspaper and its staff during World War II. Rooney was a magazine freelance writer between 1947 and 1949. To earn more money, he accepted a position to write material for the radio and television programs of Arthur Godfrey. He served in that capacity between 1949 and 1955. He also wrote material for comedians Victor Borge, Sam Levenson, and Herb Shriner. From 1959 until 1965, he worked as a writer for the Garry Moore television program. Between 1962 and 1970, Rooney wrote and produced television essays, documentaries, and specials for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). In 1966, he earned his first Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) Award for “The Great Love Affair.” His second was awarded in 1968 for “Black History: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed.”
Rooney became famous for writing and reporting on seemingly mundane subjects that had universal interest, such as annoying relatives, shoelaces, salad dressing, shampoo, making ice cream, prices of groceries, and uses of doors. He also became well known for his wry humor. After leaving CBS in 1970, Rooney worked for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for the next year and was awarded his third WGA Award for “An Essay on War” in 1971. Rooney returned to CBS in 1972 as a writer, producer, and narrator of television essays, documentaries, and specials. He was presented his fourth WGA Award in 1975 for “Mr. Rooney Goes to Washington,” and his fifth such award in 1976 for “Mr. Rooney Goes to Dinner.” In 1978, he became a regular commentator on the CBS News program Sixty Minutes. “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney” soon became a regular, popular part of the program. Rooney received his sixth WGA Award in 1979 for “Happiness: The Elusive Pursuit.”
Rooney considers himself to be a writer who has had the opportunity to make television appearances. For his television commentary, Rooney has earned three Emmy Awards. The first was received in 1978 for “Who Owns America?” The second and third were awarded in 1981 and 1982 for “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney.” In 2003, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists awarded Rooney the Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award for the body of his work. He received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2004.
Rooney has authored sixteen books and hundreds of essays and articles for magazines and newspapers. Some interesting insights into Rooney’s life can be gleaned from Sincerely, Andy Rooney, a collection of letters that Rooney wrote to a variety of individuals over a period of fifty years.