Scott Pelley

Scott Cameron Pelley is an American broadcast journalist and author. He spent 37 years at CBS News, anchoring the CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017, a period when the broadcast actually gained viewers. Pelley was also a longtime correspondent for 60 Minutes, where he became the most awarded correspondent in the program's history with 41 national Emmy Awards. In 2019, he published the memoir Truth Worth Telling. Known for his serious, authoritative reporting style and his signature dark tailored suits, Pelley has covered every president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden. [edit]

Pelley grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where his father ran nightclubs and sold used cars, and his mother worked in real estate. He got his start in journalism at age 15 as a copyboy for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, falsifying his birth date to meet the minimum age requirement. His mother would drop him off two blocks from the newspaper office because he had not yet learned to drive. One of his tasks was collecting wire service dispatches from teletype machines, making him the first person in Lubbock to know national and international news. He majored in journalism at Texas Tech University but left a few credits short of a degree. His first TV job was at KSEL-TV in Lubbock in 1975, followed by stints at KXAS-TV and WFAA-TV in Dallas. [edit]

Pelley joined CBS News in 1989 as a reporter based in New York, then moved to Dallas as a correspondent. He covered the 1991 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and later served as chief White House correspondent from 1997 to 1999, breaking stories on the Clinton investigation. On September 11, 2001, he broadcast live from the rubble of the World Trade Center. He became a 60 Minutes correspondent in 2002 and anchor of the CBS Evening News in 2011, a role he held until 2017. In 2025, after 37 years at CBS News, Pelley left the network following a reported conflict with 60 Minutes executive editor Bari Weiss, whom he criticized in a staff meeting. He then signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). [edit]

Pelley is known for his 'immaculate gray locks, stentorian jaw and preference for dark tailored suits,' as one profile described him. His on-air persona is serious and authoritative, earning him the nickname 'the voice of God' among some viewers. He is respected for his dogged reporting and has a reputation for asking tough questions with calm persistence. Fans admire his dedication to traditional journalism values, and he is often cited as a throwback to the era of Walter Cronkite. No official fandom name exists, but he has a loyal following among news enthusiasts. [edit]

Scott Pelley commands a public presence defined by professional gravity rather than the fervent adoration typical of entertainment figures. His audience consists primarily of viewers who value traditional broadcast journalism, engaging with his work through news broadcasts and published memoirs rather than organized fan clubs or digital campaigns. The fanbase has no formal name. While some admirers view him as a throwback to the era of Walter Cronkite, these sentiments remain individual appreciations of his reporting style rather than a structured fandom movement. Regarding his standing in global cultural metrics, Scott Pelley is currently evaluated by the iFANN system without a placement in the published rankings. The Global Fame Engine has assessed his profile but determined he does not currently hold a position within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence of a numerical rank reflects his status as a respected institutional figure whose influence is concentrated in media and academia rather than viral consumer culture. Despite lacking a formal ranking, his recent trajectory has generated significant narrative momentum. Following his departure from CBS News after a conflict over editorial independence, Pelley transformed into a symbol of journalistic resistance. This narrative of firing and subsequent vindication, marked by industry awards like the Poynter Medal, has elevated his profile among peers and history enthusiasts, even if it has not translated into a quantifiable score on global fame charts.[edit]

Scott Pelley maintains a reputation for meticulous preparation, often reviewing hundreds of pages of background material before conducting an interview. An avid reader of history and biography, he once noted that he would have preferred a career as a history teacher had he not pursued journalism. His personal collection includes vintage fountain pens, reflecting a preference for classic writing instruments. A licensed pilot, Pelley frequently flies small aircraft for personal travel. He also bears a tattoo of a small anchor on his ankle, a subtle nod to his long career in broadcasting. A defining chapter of his career unfolded involving a high-profile clash with new CBS leadership under Bari Weiss. He publicly accused management of political interference regarding a segment on the killing of a Minneapolis protester. This dispute culminated in his firing, an event widely retold as a moment of institutional conflict rather than a simple employment change. The story gained further resonance when Pelley received the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement shortly thereafter, creating a narrative irony where he was honored for past work immediately after being dismissed. Shortly thereafter, he joined Columbia Journalism School as an inaugural journalist in residence, cementing his legacy as a veteran correspondent who prioritized integrity over corporate alignment.[edit]

Pelley married Jane Boone in 1983. Jane is a former teacher and has been a constant support throughout his career. They have two children, a son and a daughter, who have largely stayed out of the public eye. The family has lived in New York and Connecticut. Pelley has often credited his wife in speeches, saying at the Walter Cronkite Award ceremony: 'One person has given me a life, my lovely wife, Jane.' [edit]

Pelley has worked with numerous CBS News colleagues, including producers and editors at 60 Minutes. He has interviewed every U.S. president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden, as well as world leaders and newsmakers across the globe. [edit]

Pelley has been married to Jane Boone since 1983. Jane is a former teacher, and the couple has two children. Pelley has publicly credited Jane with giving him a life outside journalism, stating at the Walter Cronkite Award ceremony that she is the one person who has given him a life. As of 2026, they remain married and live in the New York area. [edit]

As of 2026, Scott Pelley's net worth is estimated at $8 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His primary income source throughout his career was his tenure at CBS News, where he earned a reported $7 million annually while serving as anchor of the CBS Evening News and correspondent for 60 Minutes. Additional revenue streams include book royalties from Truth Worth Telling and fees from speaking engagements. Since leaving CBS, he has signed with CAA to pursue new opportunities. Pelley's financial standing has increased modestly over the years through steady employment and conservative investment strategies.[edit]

Scott Pelley has won 41 national Emmy Awards, making him the most awarded correspondent in the 53-year history of 60 Minutes. He has also received 4 duPont-Columbia Awards and 3 Peabody Awards, among other honors. [edit]