There are few, if indeed any, more dynamically divisive figures in our mediascape than Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News. Yet one thing cannot be denied: from scratch he has built Fox into a juggernaut even as he has transformed himself into “The Most Powerful Man In News.” Such was the title of the cover story I was flattered to be called upon to photograph for NEWSMAX magazine.

In person, he is very low key, yet very personable and easy to work with. Not insignificantly, even the most casual observer would easily note that he is much liked and respected by everyone who works at the network -- from general staff to top anchor. On top of it, he is a FANTASTIC and humorous storyteller. Knowing a bit of his background, I asked how he had come to work with Richard Nixon. His face instantly lit up and he told me: “Now that’s a great story!” It was a simple twist of fate. He was the producer in the early days of The Mike Douglas Show. And as so often occurred: there was a booking anomaly. So he instructed a production assistant to place two guests into any two but very separate waiting rooms. So Richard Nixon, went into one; Tina the Snake Charmer into another (Ailes was afraid Nixon might scare the snake). Shortly thereafter, Ailes, looking for a quiet place to work on the script walked into the room with Nixon, who he had to calm down by explaining the power of television and who, as a result, he subsequently came to work for. Ailes said he could just as easily have chosen the other room. And today he would probably be working as a top circus promoter. Such, he said, is life.

Tags: Roger Ailes, Fox News