Drew Griffin's CNN colleagues pay tribute after the journalist's death at 60
Veteran investigative journalist Drew Griffin has died after a long battle with cancer, his employer, CNN, confirmed Monday. He was 60.
The broadcast news outlet cited Griffin's family and did not elaborate on his cancer diagnosis. During his illustrious career, Griffin received Emmy, Murrow and Peabody awards for his journalism, which spanned politics, sports, business and healthcare.
In a Monday note to staff, CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht called Griffin's death “a devastating loss to CNN and our entire profession," while hailing the late reporter's "ability to get even the most hostile of interviewees to open up.
"Drew’s work had incredible impact and embodied the mission of this organization in every way," Licht said. "He cared about seeking the truth and holding the powerful to account. He was hard-hitting, but always fair."
For nearly 20 years, Griffin contributed to hundreds of reports and various documentaries as part of CNN's investigative team. Before joining CNN in 2004, Griffin launched his journalism career as a reporter and cameraman for WICD-TV in his home state of Illinois. He also worked for TV stations in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Washington, as well as CBS2 News in Los Angeles.
A number of Griffin's CNN colleagues paid tribute to him Monday on social media. Don Lemon of "CNN This Morning" broke down in tears while reporting Griffin's death live on air alongside co-anchor Kaitlan Collins, who praised their late co-worker as "a gifted storyteller."
In a separate memorial segment, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper honored Griffin as a hard-working professional who "cared about people and how they were impacted" and was "deeply devoted to his family."
"Drew Griffin embodied everything that makes a journalist great," tweeted "CNN This Morning" co-anchor Poppy Harlow. "He was tenacious, curious, honest, dedicated and kind. He was admired by all of us @cnn."
"Wow, this is devastating," tweeted CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez. "Every time Drew Griffin did a story I knew I needed to turn up the volume. ... May he Rest In Peace."
"#DrewGriffin was so loved because in addition to being a stellar journalist, he was a great human being," tweeted CNN entertainment reporter Lisa Respers France. "So many of us are gutted by his loss. Love on your people today in recognition of how fleeting life can be."
Griffin is survived by his wife, Margot, and their three children. See more tributes to the revered newscaster below.
Have just heard the awful news that our CNN colleague Drew Griffin has died from cancer. Such a shock! Deepest condolences to his family. Here’s part of CNN CEO Chris Licht’s note. pic.twitter.com/3LsV2IVzqB
— Miguel Marquez (@miguelmarquez) December 19, 2022
We lost a beloved colleague. Drew Griffin embodied everything that makes a journalist great. He was tenacious, curious, honest, dedicated and kind. He was admired by all of us @cnn. To his wife Margot and their 3 children I am so sorry for your loss. We will always remember him.
— Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) December 19, 2022
Wow, this is devastating. Every time Drew Griffin did a story I knew I needed to turn up the volume. He died this weekend after a long battle with cancer his family said. May he Rest In Peace. https://t.co/rPe9yYKSBi
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) December 19, 2022
I’m heartbroken. Drew was an incredible journalist, but also such a good person and an absolute delight to work with. https://t.co/KYP3PmTZs0
— Patricia DiCarlo (@pdicarlocnn) December 19, 2022
Heartbroken doesn’t capture it. @DrewGriffinCNN is the best. Smart, relentless and dedicated to journalism. Always one of the first to send a note praising a story I had done. A fellow field reporting soldier who I will miss deeply.https://t.co/g4flBpcGme
— Ed Lavandera (@edlavaCNN) December 19, 2022
Just gutted by the news that Drew Griffin has passed away. He was a great investigative journalist - the most important beat for CNN and society - and a good man, gone far too soon. https://t.co/8EbUhRgmWz
— John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) December 19, 2022
This is stunningly sad news - Drew was a good man, a tremendous journalist and a huge part of @CNN. My deepest condolences to his family. https://t.co/igsI5Wqet9
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 19, 2022
A very sad day here @cnn. Drew was an incredible journalist and lovely person. He will be missed. 💔
Veteran CNN investigative journalist Drew Griffin dead at 60 - CNN https://t.co/Ok3dVXIBTM— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) December 19, 2022
A devastating loss of a gifted storyteller. My thoughts are with Drew's family. https://t.co/hed2Mv2IK4
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 19, 2022
#DrewGriffin was so loved because in addition to being a stellar journalist, he was a great human being. So many of us are gutted by his loss. Love on your people today in recognition of how fleeting life can be. https://t.co/IfpkPZgn31
— Lisa Respers France (@LisaFranceCNN) December 19, 2022
Such sad news. Drew leaves behind a powerful legacy of important journalism. May his memory be a blessing https://t.co/9kezZX5K1d
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) December 19, 2022
Incredibly sad news this morning. Drew was and an incredible colleague and journalist.
Veteran CNN investigative journalist Drew Griffin dead at 60 | CNN https://t.co/R80AZTGLGa— Wynn Westmoreland (@WynnWs) December 19, 2022
If we were on a story together, I always saw Drew find the first flight out to head home to his family. He reminded us that journalism matters— but it’s those closest to us who matter most. https://t.co/CstAx9qwyC
— Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) December 19, 2022
A true legend. https://t.co/WTbJVf2pts
— Curt Devine (@CurtDevine) December 19, 2022
Just devastating. As a boss, as a mentor, and as a friend — Drew was the best of us. He was the very core of our team and his writing, tenacity, kindness, and humor really defined our unit. You’ll be dearly missed. https://t.co/zgZ4917PEK
— Yahya Abou-Ghazala (@YahyaGhazala) December 19, 2022
Crushed. 💔
Drew Griffin was an incredible and dogged investigative journalist…and an extremely kind person and wonderful colleague.
CNN was better because of Drew.
Sending strength and love to Margot and their children. https://t.co/ngzZNWWdkl— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) December 19, 2022
I can’t say enough nice things about Drew. It was a real privilege to get to work with him. My thoughts are with his family and with CNN’s Investigative Team, his work family that I know cherished him. May his memory be a blessing. We’ll all miss you, Drew https://t.co/mpooGIogf3
— Ross Levitt (@cnnross) December 19, 2022
Can’t believe my friend and colleague, Drew Griffin, has passed. All know his outstanding work as a hard charging, investigative journalist. I know him as a warm and yes even soft, caring, human being, a true friend. Proud to have shared a long road together at CNN.
— Martin Savidge (@MartinSavidge) December 19, 2022
A devastating loss for @cnn, for the world of journalism, for his incredible team, and for his family. Drew was an amazing storyteller, but an even better person. https://t.co/MYJEc3gcvk
— Javier de Diego (@JaviCNN) December 19, 2022
Devastating. I have no words. What a loss.https://t.co/MS1tAaUlwb
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) December 19, 2022
This hurts 😔
He was a fantastic reporter and a great guy--was an honor producing for him so many times over the last decade. The world lost a brilliant journalist. We will all miss him.💔https://t.co/oKKfeoXicm— Kellie Keesee (@KellieCNN) December 19, 2022
Sending my deepest condolences to all of Drew’s family and friends. He was a great reporter and a wonderful person. https://t.co/41GgYx6vv3
— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) December 19, 2022
Such a loss - he was tenacious, unrelenting and incredibly kind. I had the privilege of working with him on a very short assignment a few years ago. Sending his family and friends love+light.
Veteran CNN investigative journalist Drew Griffin dead at 60 https://t.co/iivtEsmfzt— Stephanie Gallman (@sgallman) December 19, 2022
Thinking about the family of our incredible colleague, Drew Griffin. It was an absolute privilege seeing him in action at several assignments. The positive impacts of his remarkable reporting will be felt for generations. We’ll miss you Drew. https://t.co/Z5DJ31elKh
— Polo Sandoval (@PoloSandovalCNN) December 19, 2022
Such sad news about our colleague Drew Griffin. A master of his craft. RIP. https://t.co/yF28AgW4PS
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) December 19, 2022
Devastating loss. Drew was an inspiration. https://t.co/S7lJrtaQ87
— Boris Sanchez (@Boris_Sanchez) December 19, 2022
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.