tim russert (may 7, 1950 - june 13, 2008) was an american television journalist and lawyer. he was the longest serving moderator for nbc's "meet the press" beginning in 1991. he was the senior vice president of nbc news and a frequent correspondent and guest on nbc's "the today show" and "hardball". he was born in buffalo, new york. russert died from a heart attack in washington, d.c.