Philip Scheffler was an executive editor and producer for the long running news magazine 60 Minutes. His five decades in journalism included work as lieutenant to 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt.
In 1980, Scheffler was named senior producer of the news magazine, and became involved in producing every 60 Minutes report until his retirement in 2003. Before being named senior producer, he contributed to 60 Minutes segments for Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Harry Reasoner and Dan Rather for nine years.
Scheffler began his career in journalism in 1951, when he was hired by Hewitt as a copy boy on CBS’s Douglas Edwards With the News, the first network TV news program. Also that year, Scheffler became the show’s first man-on-the-street reporter.
In 1953, he was drafted into the Army, where he served for two years. During his time in the service he contributed as a writer and producer to a CBS series in which a Korean War recruit was followed through basic training. After Scheffler's discharge he returned to CBS and resumed work as a reporter, writer, and producer.
Philip Scheffler was an executive editor and producer for the long running news magazine 60 Minutes. His five decades in journalism included work as lieutenant to 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt.
In 1980, Scheffler was named senior producer of the news magazine, and became involved in producing every 60 Minutes report until his retirement in 2003. Before being named senior producer, he contributed to 60 Minutes segments for Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Harry Reasoner and Dan Rather for nine years.
Scheffler began his career in journalism in 1951, when he was hired by Hewitt as a copy boy on CBS’s Douglas Edwards With the News, the first network TV news program. Also that year, Scheffler became the show’s first man-on-the-street reporter.
In 1953, he was drafted into the Army, where he served for two years. During his time in the service he contributed as a writer and producer to a CBS series in which a Korean War recruit was followed through basic training. After Scheffler's discharge he returned to CBS and resumed work as a reporter, writer, and producer.
He also served as an associate producer and on-air reporter for the news program Eyewitness, from 1960 to 1963, then he served briefly as an associate producer on The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite. In 1964, he joined the documentary unit, where he produced more than 100 documentary and other broadcasts, including the special After Ten Years: The Court and the Schools.
In 1981, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism presented him with the Alumni Award for distinguished contributions to journalism. He also taught there for a time.
Scheffler died April 7, 2016, in New York City. He was 85.
The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more