Tim Russert, Dead at 58

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Tim Russert, the lion of political pundits, collapsed and died this afternoon at NBC’s Washington bureau, Tom Brokaw reported today on MSNBC.

The 58-year-old moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” apparently had a heart attack.

“This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice,” Brokaw said. “He will be missed, as he was loved, greatly.”

Russert’s sudden death sent shock waves through the NBC News newsroom and the political establishment, over which he exerted huge influence through his Sunday morning talk show and ubiquitous commentary on MSNBC.

Brokaw noted that 2008 “was one of the important years in Tim’s life.” The avid political journalist often “worked to the point of exhaustion,” he noted.

NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker said the company was “heartbroken” about his death.

“We have lost a beloved member of our NBC Universal family and the news world has lost one of its finest,” Zucker said in a statement. “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.”

-- Matea Gold