LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: And our other story of this hour is the passing of Steve Allen. We have just learned that last evening, Steve Allen slipped away after having dinner at his son's house in Encino, California. We have -- the latest on the computer is that their only child Bill -- I am referring to Jane Meadows there on the screen, his wife of almost 50 years, and Steve Allen there -- the only child Bill said that last night his father was visiting his home. He said he was a little tired after dinner. Steve Allen went to relax peacefully and he never woke up. Their son Bill added that his father had a long, full and extraordinary life, a life that spanned 78 years. He was a comic, as you know. He was an actor. You may have seen him in "The Benny Goodman Story," which was one of my favorite movies starring Steve Allen, because of his musicianship he lent some credibility to that movie. He composed more than 4,000 songs, he wrote and published 52 books, and he was the man who pioneered the original television late-night show called "The Tonight Show." Steve Allen is dead at age 78, and we'll hear more about that throughout the day.
Comedian Steve Allen Dead at 78