Shepard Smith
David Shepard Smith Jr. (born January 14, 1964) is an American journalist and former television news anchor. He spent most of his career at Fox News, where he joined at the network’s start in 1996 and served as chief anchor and managing editor of the breaking news division. He hosted Fox Report, Studio B, and Shepard Smith Reporting. In 2020 he joined CNBC as chief general news anchor and hosted The News with Shepard Smith, a nightly program that was canceled in November 2022.
Early life and education
Smith was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, the son of Dora Ellen Anderson and David Shepard Smith Sr. He grew up in Mississippi and later moved to Florida after his parents separated. He studied journalism at the University of Mississippi, leaving two credits shy of a degree to take a reporter job in Panama City, Florida. He delivered Ole Miss’s commencement address in 2008.
Career beginnings
Smith began his TV career at WCJB in Gainesville, Florida, then worked at WJHG in Panama City Beach, Florida. He later held reporting jobs at WBBH in Fort Myers, WSVN in Miami, and WCPX in Orlando. He also worked as a correspondent for A Current Affair before joining Fox News in 1996.
Key moments at Fox News
During his time at Fox News, Smith reported on major events such as the death of Princess Diana, Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, the Columbine shooting, the Oklahoma City bombing, Hurricane Katrina, and Michael Jackson’s death. In 2003, Fox Report with Shepard Smith was a top cable news program, and he became one of the most trusted anchors. He signed a three-year contract in 2007 and renewed in 2010. In 2013 he became the managing editor of Fox News’ breaking news division and the host of Shepard Smith Reporting. In 2012, while narrating a live helicopter chase in Arizona, a suspect shot himself on camera; Smith apologized afterward. In 2017 he publicly disputed the Uranium One conspiracy theory, clashing with Fox colleague Sean Hannity. He signed another multi-year contract in 2018 and left Fox News in 2019, saying the environment had become untenable due to misinformation.
Movement to CNBC
On July 8, 2020, CNBC announced Smith would join as chief general news anchor and chief general breaking news anchor. He hosted The News with Shepard Smith, which aimed to cover stories beyond financial markets. The program aired weekdays at 7:00 p.m. ET. It was canceled in November 2022, and Smith left CNBC.
Other work and views
In 2019 Smith spoke at the International Press Freedom Awards and donated $500,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists. He has appeared as himself in the 1997 film Volcano, and footage of his Fox News work has been used in Fahrenheit 9/11 and the 2019 Bombshell docudrama. In 2017 he publicly discussed his sexuality, announcing he is gay and that he has had a long-time boyfriend, Giovanni Graziano; he had previously been married to Virginia Donald from 1987 to 1993.
Personal life
Smith married Virginia Donald in 1987; they divorced in 1993. He later came out as gay and has a long-time partner, Giovanni Graziano.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:48 (CET).