Known for his masterful interviewing skills, Willesee’s television career spanned more than 50 years, working for the ABC, the Nine network and the Seven network.

Known for his masterful interviewing skills, Willesee’s television career spanned more than 50 years, working for the ABC, the Nine network and the Seven network.

“He was the best in the studio, partly because he did his homework, he was unerringly accurate in his facts and he was polite even when he was tough,” fellow journalist Ray Martin told 9News.

“He was the best in the studio, partly because he did his homework, he was unerringly accurate in his facts and he was polite even when he was tough,” fellow journalist Ray Martin told 9News.

, where he gained acclaim for pressing the then-Prime Minister Harold Holt over his decision to appoint a new ABC Chairman.

Born in 1942 in Perth, Willesee first graced Australian television screens in 1967 as a reporter for the ABC show This Day Tonight , where he gained acclaim for pressing the then-Prime Minister Harold Holt over his decision to appoint a new ABC Chairman.

In 1969, Willesee moved on to become the host of Four Corners , before moving to the Nine Network in 1971 to host the newly-debuted A Current Affair .

Willesee also spent a number of years at the Seven Network, where he presented a nightly current affairs program called Willesee at Seven .

The veteran journalist became known for what was dubbed “the Willesee stare”, an interview technique that often resulted in politicians floundering during high-pressure interviews.

The veteran journalist became known for what was dubbed “the Willesee stare”, an interview technique that often resulted in politicians floundering during high-pressure interviews.

“His best trick was the penetrating stare and a politician would end his answer and Willesee would just glare at him. It worked every time,” fellow journalist Mike Carlton told 9News.

“His best trick was the penetrating stare and a politician would end his answer and Willesee would just glare at him. It worked every time,” fellow journalist Mike Carlton told 9News.

"Vale Mike. An icon and a legend, who was humanly imperfect like the rest of us, but no less a genius," she posted on Instagram.

"Vale Mike. An icon and a legend, who was humanly imperfect like the rest of us, but no less a genius," she posted on Instagram.