Shepard Smith
Shepard Smith – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes
Explore the life and journalism career of Shepard Smith — from his Southern upbringing to his years at Fox News and CNBC — and read some of his most striking quotes on news, integrity, and media.
Introduction
David Shepard Smith Jr. (born January 14, 1964) is an American broadcast journalist best known for his long tenure at Fox News and later as host of The News with Shepard Smith on CNBC. Smith has been recognized for a style of reporting anchored in fact-based journalism and has often stood out in media environments increasingly blended with opinion.
Early Life and Education
Shepard Smith was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, to Dora Ellen Anderson (an English teacher) and David Shepard Smith Sr. (a cotton merchant). He attended Marshall Academy in Holly Springs. After high school, he enrolled in the University of Mississippi to study journalism. However, he left the university two credits short of graduation to take a television reporting job in Panama City, Florida.
Career Trajectory
Early Career in Local News
Smith’s journalism career began in local TV: he worked at stations such as WCJB-TV in Gainesville, Florida, and WJHG-TV in Panama City Beach. He also held reporting roles at WBBH-TV (Fort Myers) and WCPX-TV (Orlando). He later became a correspondent for A Current Affair.
Joining & Career at Fox News
In 1996, Smith joined Fox News Channel at its launch. Over more than two decades, he anchored several programs, including:
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The Fox Report with Shepard Smith
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Studio B
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Shepard Smith Reporting
He rose to become chief anchor and managing editor of Fox News’s breaking news division.
During his time at Fox, he became known as a voice of relatively independent, fact-based reporting — sometimes at odds with the network’s opinion programs. He also gained attention for confronting misleading news narratives and pushing back on claims inconsistent with evidence.
In October 2019, Smith announced his departure from Fox News.
Role at CNBC & Later Work
In 2020, Smith joined CNBC as its chief general news anchor and chief breaking general news anchor. He hosted a nightly program, The News with Shepard Smith, which launched on September 30, 2020. However, in November 2022, CNBC canceled The News with Shepard Smith.
Themes, Values & Journalistic Philosophy
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Smith has frequently emphasized the distinction between news and opinion, advocating for clarity and separation between them.
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He has resisted adopting partisan or sensational framing, focusing instead on straightforward reporting.
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He has spoken about the pressure in news environments to conform to narratives, and his desire to remain anchored in evidence.
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His decision to leave Fox was, in part, a response to growing tension between his reporting style and the larger direction of the network.
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In public remarks, he has cautioned against the dangers authoritarian actors pose to journalists, emphasizing the importance of press freedom.
Personal Life
Smith married Virginia Donald, a classmate at the University of Mississippi, in 1987; they divorced in 1993; they had no children. In 2017, Smith publicly acknowledged that he is gay and revealed he had been living with a boyfriend for years.
Notable Quotes by Shepard Smith
Here are some of Shepard Smith’s more memorable statements:
“I’m a journalist; I run to the fire, that’s what we do.”
“We have a product for sale called news, and I’m a salesman.”
“I like stories that affect families.”
“Interviewing politicians and movie stars, you know what you’ll get. I like the people-stories better.”
“I’ve never been in a focus-group meeting. I wonder how many anchors can say that.”
“I think there’s a certain sense of grounding that comes from not being a rich kid from a media-elite school.”
“In New York, I like it when you can get bagels at 3 in the morning.”
“When I make an error, it's a very bad day in my house.”
These quotes reflect his identity as a journalist committed to reporting facts, his humility, and his connection to everyday life.
Lessons & Takeaways from Shepard Smith’s Career
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Courage in challenging environments
Operating in spaces with strong partisan currents, Smith often held firm to fact-based reporting even when it drew criticism. -
News vs. narrative
He has persistently emphasized that journalism should avoid bending facts to fit a preferred story. -
Responsibility of platform
He recognizes that journalists hold influence and must act with integrity, not simply to attract views. -
Personal authenticity
By publicly acknowledging his sexuality and choosing to live openly, he added personal integrity to professional credibility. -
Adaptability & reinvention
Smith’s move from Fox to CNBC demonstrates his willingness to reframe his career rather than stagnate.