NBC's Tim Russert Dead At 58 (UPDATED)

Shocking and tragic news from the world of… news. Well known anchor, pundit, host of Meet the Press, and NBC’s Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert, has died. He was only 58.

The news broke just moments ago on NBC, when retired anchor Tom Brokaw came on to make the announcement. Word is that Russert collapsed and died suddenly early this afternoon, while at work. Heart-attack may have been to blame.

Update: Reports are stating that Russert collapsed and died of a heart attack today while at work in Washington. According to NBC's statement, he was recording voice-overs for this Sunday's edition of Meet The Press when it happened. Russert was with NBC for 24 years and according to ABC News' report, in addition to being the longest-running host in the history of Meet the Press, he also served as NBC News' Washington bureau chief as well as the a political analyst for NBC's Nightly News and the Today show.

Below is the transcript of Tom Brokaw's announcement:

TOM BROKAW, NBC NEWS:

"I'm Tom Brokaw, NBC News. And it's my sad duty to report this afternoon that my friend and college, Tim Russert, the moderator of "MEET THE PRESS" and NBC's Washington Bureau Chief, collapsed and died early this afternoon while at work in the NBC news bureau in Washington. Tim had just returned from a family trip to Italy with his wife, Maureen Orth, the writer, and his son, Luke. They were celebrating Luke's graduation from Boston College just this spring. Tim, of course, has been the host of "MEET THE PRESS" longer than any other person in that long-running television broadcast. He has been a very familiar face on this network and throughout the world of political journalism as one of the premier political analysts and journalists of his time.

Tim, 58-years-old, grew up in Buffalo and he wrote a No. 1 best selling "New York Times" book called, "Big Russ and Me," about his childhood and especially about his relationship with his father, big Russ. That was followed by another No. 1 "New York Times" best seller called, "The Wisdom of our Fathers." That book was inspired by the many letters that he received from other children talking about their relationship with their fathers.

This was one of the most important years in Tim's life for so many reasons. He loved this political campaign. He worked to the point of exhaustion so many weeks, not just on "MEET THE PRESS," but on MSNBC, and with our colleague, Brian Williams, of course, during the debates and on "Special Coverage" on NBC Nightly News.

Tim was a true child of Buffalo and the blue collar roots in which he was raised. For all of his success, he was always in touch with the ethos of that community. Just last week, he was back in Buffalo moving his father from his home to another facility. His father now in his late 80s. Big Russ, it goes without saying, our heart goes out to him and all members of Tim's family.

Tim loved his family, his faith, his country, politics. He loved the Buffalo Bills, the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals. He of course had season tickets to that team when they moved to Washington. We will have additional details throughout the evening here on NBC News and MSNBC, of course.

Brian Williams will have continuing coverage.

But to repeat, our beloved colleague, one of the premier journalists of our time, Tim Russert, died this afternoon after collapsing at work at the NBC News bureau in Washington, D.C. And I think I can invoke personal privilege to say that this news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice. He will be missed as he was loved, greatly."

Update: Steve Carell, of The Office and the upcoming film Get Smart was scheduled to appear on CNN’s Larry King Live tonight. We’ve just been informed that Carell’s interview is being rescheduled and King will be covering the news of Russert’s death on his show tonight, which airs on CNN at 9:00 p.m. EST.