Fox News host Shep Smith paid tribute to Roger Ailes in a tearful segment on his show Thursday.
“Roger Ailes died today,” Smith said. “The founder of our network, our former CEO and chairman, husband to Beth, father of Zach, media genius, revolutionary in American politics, shaper of American history, uproariously funny man with now well documented flaws, fell at his home in Florida and did not survive. I loved him.”
Throughout the 12-minute long segment, Smith teared up several times, at one point having to stop to reach for tissues to wipe his tears. He recounted his relationship with Ailes, tracing back from his earliest days at Fox News up until the founders ouster among sexual harassment allegations last year.
A recurring theme throughout the tribute was the Ailes’ “complicated” nature as a leader, friend and human being. Smith recalled receiving support from Ailes to his face, while simultaneously hearing from managers that the former Fox News boss was accusing him of “going rogue” in closed-door meetings.
“It’s all so complicated,” he said. “Everything here was and is… as he was.”
The most personal moment of the segment came when Smith described Ailes and his wife Beth putting on a display of support when Smith first came out as gay.
“When an extortionist and blackmailer entered my life and the lives of my family he held my hand and protected me and saw me to the other side,” he said. “When details of my personal life became public, he supported me. My partner Gio and I went to a fourth of July party at his amazingly beautiful home overlooking West Point. He used to say, ‘I’ll man the turret if anyone gets near this place.’ And he had one.”
Ailes died at the age of 77 on Thursday morning, succumbing to complications from a fall at his home last week. The former Fox News CEO was remembered fondly by a number of his old employees, but the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation last July has resulted in a more mixed reaction from those outside the company.
“Roger Ailes was a patriot,” Smith said. “He was the biggest personality and the most influential and powerful man I ever personally encountered. He changed my life and the lives of everyone in my family forever, for generations to come. He guided me and supported me and protected me and he told me he loved me like a father. And I love him.”
The Evolution of Roger Ailes, From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News Innovator (Photos)
The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.
Fox News
Born and raised in Ohio, Roger Ailes attended Ohio University as a young man, majoring in radio and television. During his time there, he served as station manager for the university's WOUB radio for two years.
Ohio University
Ailes worked his way up to executive producer on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Mike Douglas Show," which began as a local program in Cleveland before expanding nationwide.
Westinghouse Broadcasting Company
In 1968, Ailes got an Emmy nod when "The Mike Douglas Show" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, ultimately losing to NBC's "Today" show.
After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of "The Mike Douglas Show," Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics.
Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Ailes produced the famous "revolving door" ad for Bush, which painted Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.
In 1988, Ailes co-authored a self-help book with Jon Kraushar. "You Are the Message" shared Ailes' tips for effective communication and public performances.
Simon and Schuster
In 1992, Ailes served as executive producer on a syndicated late-night talk show hosted by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, which ran for four years before coming to an end in 1996.
Ailes Productions
Ailes was named president of CNBC in 1993, where he launched the new cable network America's Talking, which was shut down and replaced with future Fox News competitor MSNBC.
America's Talking
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch hired Ailes to serve as founding CEO and Chariman of the Fox News Channel in 1996, which soon grew to become the most popular cable news network in the country.
Getty Images
In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. In July, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, claiming years of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances.
Getty Images
On July 20, 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid the growing outcry over the sexual harassment allegations.
Getty Images
Ailes died on May 18, 2017 at age 77.
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Roger Ailes, who died Thursday at age 77, began as a producer on a daytime show and went on to become a willy successful cable news network boss
The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.