| Full Name | David Shepard Smith Jr. |
| Birthday | January 14, 1964 (age 59) |
| Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Born | United States |
| Alma Mater | University of Mississippi |
| Social | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
David Shepard Smith Jr. is a renowned American broadcast journalist, formerly working on CNBC‘s The News with Shepard Smith until its cancellation in 2022. He spent over two decades as a top anchor and managing editor at Fox News, building a reputation for integrity in reporting.
Humble Beginnings in the American South
Born in Mississippi and raised across the South, Smith grew up with a curiosity about the world beyond his small town. He attended Marshall Academy, a private Christian school known for academics. There, Smith worked on the school newspaper and yearbook, getting his first taste of journalism.
After graduation, Smith studied journalism at the University of Mississippi. Like many aspiring reporters of his era, he started out reporting local stories at small newspapers and TV stations across Florida in the late 1980s.
Rising Meteor at Fox News
Smith joined fledgling Fox News at its launch in 1996, becoming one of its original hires. He displayed talent right away as both an anchor and reporter, covering major stories like Princess Diana‘s death and the 2000 election recount.
Over time, Smith hosted shows including The Fox Report, Studio B, Shepard Smith Reporting and Fox Report Weekend. He anchored live coverage of events like New Year‘s Eve, elections, and space launches.
During his Fox tenure, Smith had memorable on-air moments like shouting "We are America!" in response to torture, and debunking false claims about President Obama.
Awards and Honors
His time at Fox cemented Smith‘s status as a premier newsman. He won 3 Emmys and the Radio Television Digital News Association‘s First Amendment Award.
Shock Departure from Fox News
In October 2019, Smith stunned co-workers and viewers when he announced on-air he was leaving Fox News after over 20 years. He cited a desire to move on but many speculated other factors were at play.
Some believe Smith was uncomfortable with Fox‘s rightward tilt in the Trump era. Others point to rumored tensions with outspoken primetime host Tucker Carlson.
Fox called it an amicable departure and said they respected Smith‘s decision. But his absence left the network without its lone non-partisan voice.
Out of the Spotlight
Unlike many TV personalities, Smith has always kept his private life firmly private. He is an openly gay man but has shared little about his sexuality or any relationships.
After exiting Fox, Smith laid low and was not seen on-air for over a year. Even his social media presence is sparse. Friends say he is quite shy and introverted for a famous broadcaster.
In 2020, he reemerged as host of The News on CNBC but the show was cancelled in 2022 likely due to poor ratings. He seems to have stepped back from the limelight.
Legacy: A Journalist First
While networks and roles have changed, Shepard Smith‘s legacy remains his commitment to ethical journalism. He reported the news without fear or favor.
Smith proved it was possible to succeed in cable news without embracing a partisan perspective. He set an example as a reporter who let facts, not opinions, guide his work.
"A better newsman you will not find," said colleague Neil Cavuto.
For over 20 years, Shepard Smith reporting meant getting "just the facts" – a rarity in today‘s media landscape.
