Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years with the program. His departure comes amid ongoing changes at CBS News and brings his long run as a correspondent on the broadcast to a close.
Anderson Cooper announces he’s leaving CBS News’ 60 Minutes
Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes after nearly two decades as a correspondent, with the media newsletter Breaker first reporting the development. The CNN anchor chose not to extend his contract with the CBS program. His last segment, featuring an interview with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, aired Sunday.
Cooper will remain at CNN, where he anchors Anderson Cooper 360 and the weekly show The Whole Story. He also hosts the podcast and streaming series All There Is and covers major national and international events. His work on 60 Minutes was part of a partnership agreement between CNN and CBS News.
“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career,” Cooper said in a statement. “I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business. For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me” (via The Hollywood Reporter).
CBS News said in a statement, “For more than two decades, Anderson Cooper has taken 60 Minutes viewers on journeys to faraway places, told us unforgettable stories, reported consequential investigations and interviewed many prominent figures. We’re grateful to him for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast, and understand the importance of spending more time with family. 60 Minutes will be here if he ever wants to return.”
