CNBC’s Mark Haines died last night. His death was announced at 9:53amET during the show that he would normally be anchoring, “Squawk on the Street,” by anchor Carl Quintanilla who read a statement from CNBC president Mark Hoffman.
At this hour, most of CNBC’s coverage is being devoted to Haines’ death, which has come as a shock to colleagues. Haines was 65. A cause of death has not been announced.
Haines joined CNBC in 1989 and was the founding anchor of the network’s signature morning show, “Squawk Box” before moving to “Squawk on the Street.”
Haines, who had a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was a member of the New Jersey State Bar, had been a news anchor for KYW-TV in Philadelphia, WABC-TV in New York, and WPRI-TV in Providence.
It was Haines who delivered an emotional goodbye to his longtime co-anchor Erin Burnett less than three weeks ago as Burnett departed for CNN.
> More: Burnett phoned in to CNBC’s coverage at 10:50am to share her thoughts: “One of the most important things I learned was just that generosity and graciousness he showed that first day.” And about her final day on CNBC: “It was an unforgettable moment in my life and I’m glad we had it. I’m glad we had it.”
> More: Bob Pisani reads a statement from the NYSE: “Mark was an outstanding colleague and will be missed.”
> More: FBN achor Liz Claman who co-anchored with Haines on CNBC’s “Morning Call” from 2003-2007, and who was given the nickname “La Liz” by Haines, writes, “The day I left, he called me and said, ‘I’ll miss you, kid.’ I cried that day, as I do today. I miss you too, Mark. You remain unmatched in your unfailing ability to see through the noise and nonsense so many people spew out today. You were the benchmark of honesty. Thank you for that.”
CNBC will produce a special on Mark Haines tonight at 7pmET.
Update: Here’s the statement from Mark Hoffman:
It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I let you know that Mark Haines passed away last night in his home. I know all of you join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to Mark’s wife Cindy, his son Matt and his daughter Meredith. Mark has been one of the building blocks of CNBC since the very beginning, joining us in 1989. With his searing wit, profound insight and piercing interview style, he was a constant and trusted presence in business news for more than 20 years. From the dot com bubble, to the tragic events of 9/11, Mark was always the unflappable pro. Mark loved CNBC and we loved him back. He will be deeply missed.
> More: More remembrances:
- David Friend, now at WCBS: “Unique, talented, brilliant, a curmudgeon, pro, and beloved.”
- Jonathan Wald, now at CNN: “There wasn’t a colleague or viewer who didn’t respect Mark Haines. Not a lot of people on TV you can say that about.”
- Charlie Gasparino, now at FBN: “For all my battles at CNBC, I never battled Mark Haines; a class act thru and thru.