Harry Smith Biography
Harry Smith is an American journalist and correspondent known for decades of reporting. Born on August 21, 1951, in Lansing, Illinois, he developed an interest in communication and storytelling. Smith attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he studied communications and theater.
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He graduated in 1973 and later returned to the college as a professor. After college, Smith built his broadcasting career in Denver. He worked in radio before moving into journalism at KRMA-TV and KMGH-TV. Those roles helped him develop reporting skills that shaped his career.
In 1986, Smith joined CBS News as a Dallas-based reporter. He became a correspondent the following year and later co-anchored CBS This Morning. He also contributed to CBS Evening News and CBS Sunday Morning. During his CBS years, Smith covered events across the United States and abroad.
His assignments included wars, natural disasters, political conventions, international conflicts, and human-interest stories. Smith joined NBC News in 2011 after about 25 years with CBS News. At NBC, he became a presence on Today and network programs. He also contributed to Rock Center with Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News.
After leaving NBC News in 2024, Smith returned to Central College and taught a course focused on curiosity. His work extended his interest in storytelling and learning. In September 2026, NBC News announced Smith’s return as a contributor. His work includes Common Good feature stories for Today, NBC Nightly News, and NBC News live events.
Throughout his career, Smith has earned journalism honors, including Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. He is married to sports broadcaster Andrea Joyce, and they have two sons. Today, Harry Smith remains associated with broadcast journalism, education, storytelling, and feature reporting.
Harry Smith Age: How Old Is Harry Smith?
Harry Smith is 75 years old as of September 2026. He was born on August 21, 1951, in Lansing, Illinois. Smith celebrated his 75th birthday in August 2026. He built a decades-long career in American broadcast journalism. Over the years, he worked with CBS News and NBC News. He also became known for his work on CBS This Morning and Today. In September 2026, Smith returned to NBC News as a contributor. He now produces Common Good feature stories for several NBC platforms.
Harry Smith Height: How Tall Is Harry Smith?
Harry Smith stands around 6 feet 2½ inches tall, or approximately 1.89 meters. His height gives him a notably tall appearance. Smith built his career as an American journalist, television correspondent, and news anchor. Over the years, he became recognized for his work with CBS News and NBC News. He also appeared on major programs, including CBS This Morning and Today. Additionally, Smith has spent more than five decades in broadcast journalism. His career includes anchoring, reporting, interviewing, and feature storytelling, making him a well-known figure in American television news.
Harry Smith Wife
Harry Smith is married to Andrea Joyce, an American sportscaster and television journalist. The couple met while working in Denver, where both were developing their broadcasting careers. Their relationship eventually grew into marriage, and they have remained together for decades. Harry Smith and Andrea Joyce have two sons, Jake and Grady. Because both parents maintained demanding television careers, they developed a routine that helped them balance work and family. They often traveled for assignments, so they made sure one parent remained home with their children. Additionally, Smith has credited their communication and commitment for helping their marriage endure. Andrea Joyce remains Harry Smith’s wife, while both have built distinguished careers in American television journalism.
Harry Smith Children: Does Harry Smith have children?
Harry Smith and his wife, Andrea Joyce, have two children, both sons. The couple has kept their family life relatively private while maintaining demanding careers in journalism and sports broadcasting. Smith and Joyce married in 1986 after meeting while working at KMGH-TV in Denver. Their sons are Harry Gerald Smith and Grady Thomas Smith. Over the years, Harry Smith has spoken about balancing work and family responsibilities. He and Joyce made an effort to ensure one parent remained home when their children were young. Their sons grew up with both parents working in television, creating a unique family connection to broadcasting. Smith continues to value family life alongside his long career in journalism.
Harry Smith Education
Harry Smith began his college education at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he enrolled in 1969. He initially chose the school partly because he wanted to continue playing football. However, his academic interests soon expanded beyond sports. Smith studied communications and theater, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1973. During college, Smith developed a stronger interest in writing and storytelling. Additionally, supportive professors helped him recognize his potential as a writer. His liberal arts experience also encouraged his natural curiosity, which later shaped his journalism career. In 2024, Smith returned to Central College as an executive-in-residence. He taught a course focused on curiosity and shared lessons from his broadcasting career.
Harry Smith Career: CBS Years, NBC Return and Journalism Journey
Harry Smith’s career spans CBS News, NBC News, television reporting, and feature journalism. He joined CBS News in 1986 and became a prominent morning anchor and correspondent. During his CBS years, Smith co-anchored CBS This Morning and later The Early Show. He also reported for CBS Evening News and contributed to 48 Hours and documentaries.
In 2011, Smith left CBS News and moved to NBC News. He later became a correspondent and contributed to Today, NBC Nightly News, and other NBC programs. His popular “Sundays with Harry” feature highlighted human-interest stories. Smith left NBC News in March 2024 after a 12-year run. However, his career has now taken another turn.
Harry Smith returned to NBC News in September 2026 as a regular contributor. He will produce “Common Good” feature stories for Today, NBC Nightly News, and NBC News live events. Therefore, the latest update does not involve a CBS return. His current comeback is with NBC News, where he resumed storytelling in September 2026.
Harry Smith has earned several major honors during his long career in television journalism. His awards recognize his broadcast reporting and breaking-news coverage. In 2025, he also received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism for his four-decade career.
Harry Smith Career Timeline
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1973–1981 | Worked as a radio host and disc jockey in Cincinnati and Denver. |
| 1981–1982 | Hosted a talk show at KRMA-TV, Denver’s public television station. |
| 1982–1985 | Worked as a reporter and anchor at KMGH-TV in Denver. |
| 1986 | Joined CBS News as a Dallas-based reporter. |
| 1987 | Became a CBS News correspondent and co-anchored CBS This Morning. |
| 1987–1996 | Served as a co-anchor of CBS This Morning. |
| 1990s | Covered major international and domestic stories, including the Gulf War, natural disasters, and national political conventions. |
| 2002 | Returned to CBS News and joined The Early Show. |
| 2002–2010 | Served as a prominent anchor of The Early Show and continued reporting for CBS News. |
| 2011 | Left CBS News after 25 years and joined NBC News. |
| 2011–2013 | Contributed to NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams. |
| 2013–2024 | Reported for NBC News and appeared regularly on Today and NBC Nightly News. |
| 2024 | Concluded his initial 12-year NBC News run and returned to teaching at Central College. |
| September 2026 | Returned to NBC News as a contributor, producing Common Good feature stories. |
Harry Smith Awards
- Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism – 2025
- News and Documentary Emmy Award – Outstanding General Coverage of a Single Breaking News Story
- News and Documentary Emmy Award – for his work covering major news events
- Edward R. Murrow Award – recognizing excellence in broadcast journalism
- Multiple Emmy Awards – earned during his CBS News and NBC News career
Smith continues his journalism career in 2026 after returning to NBC News as a regular contributor.
Harry Smith Salary
Harry Smith current salary remains undisclosed. No reliable public figure confirms his exact annual earnings from his latest NBC News contributor role. Previously, Smith held prominent positions as an anchor and correspondent. His work included Today, NBC Nightly News, and CBS This Morning. In September 2026, Harry Smith returned to NBC News as a contributor. He now produces Common Good stories for Today, NBC Nightly News, and NBC News NOW.
Harry Smith Net Worth
Harry Smith has an estimated net worth of around $25 million, reflecting his decades-long career in broadcast journalism. He built his wealth through prominent roles with CBS News and NBC News, where he worked as an anchor, correspondent, and feature reporter. Throughout his career, Smith appeared on programs including CBS This Morning, The Early Show, Today, and NBC Nightly News.
Additionally, his extensive reporting experience and long-term network positions helped establish his financial success. In September 2026, Smith returned to NBC News as a contributor, adding a new chapter to his television career. He now produces Common Good feature stories for Today, NBC Nightly News, and other NBC News platforms. His continued work in television journalism also keeps his professional career active.
