NEW YORK - "60 Minutes" has paid tribute to the late Andy Rooney with a rerun far sooner than anyone wanted to see.

The former commentator died Friday night from complications after minor surgery. Only a month ago, the 92-year-old curmudgeon gave his final commentary after 33 years on television's favourite newsmagazine.

On Sunday, veteran correspondent Morley Safer gave a short introduction about Rooney's death. Then, "60 Minutes" reran Safer's interview with Rooney that aired Oct. 2. It was filled with clips from Rooney's essays over the years.

In his introduction, Safer said Rooney "had the special gift for speaking for every man."

In Rooney's final essay, he said that he'd lived a life luckier than most and wished he "could do this forever."