Ailes' wife announced his death in a statement Thursday.
Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many.
And so even as we mourn his death we celebrate his life… A brilliant broadcaster, Roger played a huge role in shaping Americas media over the last thirty years.
Roger and I shared a big idea which he executed in a way no one else could have.
In addition, Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs.
At 21st Century Fox we will always be enormously grateful for the great business he built.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Elizabeth and son Zachary.
However, his life and career were marred by allegations of sexual harassment.
He recognized the influence of television on the masses.
The reason: People are lazy.
With television you just sitwatchlisten.
The thinking is done for you.
Reaction to his death on social mediais already poles apart.
Today America lost one of its great patriotic warriors …
He has dramatically and forever changed the political and the media landscape singlehandedly for the better, Hannity continued.
Neither will ever be the same again as he was a true American original.
