CNBC anchor Mark Haines dies at age 65

NEW YORK — The bell rang as usual at the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday morning, but missing was the booming voice of longtime CNBC anchor Mark Haines letting viewers know he was on the beat, had their back and was reporting, "Live from the financial capital of the world!"

Haines, the founding anchor of CNBC's morning show "Squawk Box" and one of the pioneers that helped transform business news and tracking the Dow Jones industrial average into must-see TV, died Tuesday evening at his home. He was 65.

The no-nonsense early-morning anchor was best known for his penetrating yet fair interviewing style that challenged politicians, bankers, money managers, analysts and economists on key money matters of the day. He guided investors big and small through many of the nation's most trying days, including the bursting of the dot-com tech bubble, the tragic events of 9/11 and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

"Mark was real, he tells it like it is and fought for the individual investor," says Maria Bartiromo, who launched Squawk Box back in 1994 with Haines, Joe Kernen and David Faber in 1994. "Mark was not afraid to poke holes in a story or give you a punch in the face."

VIDEO:CNBC 'Squawk' anchor Mark Haines dies

MORE:CNBC.com coverage of Mark Haines' death

Bartiromo and others at CNBC lauded Haines for his unflappable and calming presence during the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. "He handled it with poise and calm even though it was the most tragic and shocking thing any of us had ever seen," she says.

Wall Streeters who sat across from Haines during on-air interviews remember him as tough yet fair.

"He was the consummate pro," says Richard Bernstein of money management firm Richard Bernstein Advisors. "He never would give people softball questions. He questioned his guests kind of brusquely but always fairly. I always admired him for that."

Calling a politician or a high-powered money manager out for a comment that was disengenuous or just plain didn't make sense was part of Haines' DNA.

"At times it could be unsettling," says current CNBC contributor Michael Farr who has been interviewed by Haines many times. "He was tenacious. He would drill down. He wouldn't let you go. He would make you twist."

Haines would also nibble on Cheerios and do The New York Times crossword puzzle during commercial breaks, adds Farr.

Haines, described by many as a family-man first but also a curmudgeon, had a playful side too. He had a way about him. He often went out of his way to put a regular CNBC guest at ease.

New York-based money manager Michael Holland and regular CNBC guest says Haines would introduce him on the air by poking fun at his last name. "His go-to line was a reference to the Holland Tunnel," recalls Holland. "He would say, 'We now have the owner of the Holland Tunnel. He has been there all day taking toll money.'"

Wall Street veteran Hugh Johnson, who was a guest of Haines when Squawk Box was first launched, says Haines would very often introduce him on the show as "Cautiously Cautious Hugh." Johnson says it was Haines' way of poking fun at him for giving a market forecast with caveats.

"(Haines) ranks as one of the best business TV journalists along with Louis Rukeyser," says Johnson, referring to the late journalist who anchored the long-running show "Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser.

On set, Haines was famous for coming up with on-air nicknames for his colleagues. He dubbed David Faber "The Brain," Joe Kernen "The Kahuna," and Steve Liesman "The Professor."

Longtime CNBC colleague and current contributor Ron Insana says Haines was instrumental in turning business news into a sports-like, ESPN-ish telecast.

"Mark was Chris Berman-esque," says Insana, referring to the well-known ESPN anchor. "He became the voice of our morning show with that powerful voice and character. With the help of a Wall Street guest and along with Kernen, Faber and Maria, he handicapped the game before it started."

Steering individual investors away from danger was his specialty. One day, during a particularly difficult period for the markets, Haines donned a helmet on set, warning viewers to "strap themselves in" because its "gonna be a tough day," recalls Insana. The show's producer wasn't happy and told Haines to tone it down. But then Jack Welch, then CEO of GE and parent company of CNBC, said it was the best thing he had seen on air in a while. "Jack had his back," says Insana.

The void left on the floor of the NYSE, where Haines reported from, was made clear by the cracking voice of long-time floor broker Doreen Mogavero: "When I would see him on the floor I would give him a hug and we'd talk about our dogs," she says. On Wednesday, there was no Haines. And no hug.

Haines is survived by his wife, Cindy, son Matt and daughter Meredith.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/2011-05-25-mark-haines-death-cnbc_n.htm


I enjoyed watching Mark, Joe Kernan and David Faber on Squawk Box during the late 90's / Early 2000's - Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfIDL-7qCK4

Mark Haines - 9/11 CNBC Coverage 8:46 - 8:55

(fast forward to 4:20)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G124C6RGKMQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfRD0yv_JzE

I was watching this program when the World Trade Center was hit.

Dan

RIP Mark Haines.  :(

The Squawk Box will never be the same...  :\'(

Owe you one for this.

Haines was one of the very few financial journalists - Lou Rukeyser's the only comparable name - who took absolutely no guff from anyone.

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He took no guff from the left.  (Bonus: tribute also includes his damn classy sendoff to Erin Burnett)

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Nor did he take any guff from the right.

Squawk Box back in the Internet bubble days was a lot of fun to watch. 

Every quarter after earnings, CNBC would interview Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon.com). Jeff has a very loud laugh and was always in a great mood when interviewed. Anyway, I think Mark or someone on Squawk box put the previous quarter's interview next to the real time interview revealing that Jeff was wearing the same shirt and jacket (he did not wear a tie), everyone laughed!



Dan