Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Scott Pelley

Discover the career path of Scott Pelley, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Scott Pelley is a distinguished American journalist and television personality best known for his long-standing tenure at CBS News. He served as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017 and has been a prominent correspondent for the investigative news program 60 Minutes since 2004. Throughout his career, Pelley has covered major global events, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and various natural disasters. Renowned for his rigorous investigative reporting and steadfast delivery, he has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award. His work is characterized by a commitment to hard-hitting journalism and in-depth storytelling, cementing his reputation as one of the most credible figures in broadcast news.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1975: Beginning of KSEL-TV tenure

In 1975, Scott Pelley began working for KSEL-TV in Lubbock, marking an early milestone in his broadcasting career.

1978: Transition to KXAS-TV

Starting in 1978, Scott Pelley concluded his time at KSEL-TV and transitioned to a new role at KXAS-TV in Dallas.

1981: Conclusion of KXAS-TV tenure

In 1981, Scott Pelley finished his three-year tenure working for the news station KXAS-TV located in Dallas.

1982: Joined WFAA-TV

In 1982, Scott Pelley accepted a position as a producer and reporter for WFAA-TV in Dallas, where he would work for the next several years.

1989: End of WFAA-TV production role

By 1989, Scott Pelley concluded his seven-year period of employment serving as a producer and reporter at WFAA-TV.

1989: Beginning of CBS Career

In 1989, Scott Pelley officially began his professional career with CBS in New York City.

1990: Coverage of the Persian Gulf Crisis

In 1990, Scott Pelley began his extensive reporting on war zones by covering the onset of the Persian Gulf crisis.

1990: Gulf War Coverage

Throughout 1990, Scott Pelley began his coverage of the Gulf War, reporting from Baghdad and accompanying the XVIII Airborne Corps during their military operations in Iraq and Kuwait.

1991: Reporting on the Invasion of Iraq

During 1991, Scott Pelley provided comprehensive field reports during the invasion of Iraq as part of his ongoing war zone journalism.

1992: Presidential Campaign Reporting

In 1992, Scott Pelley was assigned to cover the presidential campaigns of Ross Perot and Bill Clinton.

1993: Reporting on Major National Incidents

During 1993, Scott Pelley provided reporting on significant national events, including the World Trade Center bombing, the Waco siege, and the Oklahoma City bombing.

1997: Appointment as Chief White House Correspondent

In 1997, Scott Pelley began his tenure as the Chief White House Correspondent for CBS News, a role he held during a period marked by significant political scrutiny.

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1997: Commencement of White House Correspondent Role

Starting in 1997, Scott Pelley took on the position of chief White House correspondent for CBS News.

1999: Investigative Reporters and Editors Award for reporting on child slavery

In 1999, Scott Pelley and his investigative team at 60 Minutes II received the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award for their significant reporting work focused on child slavery in India.

1999: Conclusion of White House Correspondent Role

Scott Pelley completed his assignment as the chief White House correspondent for CBS News in 1999.

2006: Darfur Genocide Reporting

In 2006, Scott Pelley began filing critical news reports documenting the ongoing genocide occurring within the Darfur region of Sudan.

2006: Induction into Texas Tech Hall of Fame

In 2006, Scott Pelley was officially inducted into the Texas Tech University College of Media and Communication Hall of Fame in recognition of his professional accomplishments.

2007: Armed Reconnaissance in Darfur

During 2007, Pelley coordinated with a rebel group to conduct an armed reconnaissance mission into Darfur, resulting in a report that exposed a village destroyed by government forces during their campaign of genocide.

2007: Receipt of the George Foster Peabody Award

In 2007, Scott Pelley and his reporting team were honored with the George Foster Peabody Award for their investigative journalism regarding the civilian deaths that occurred during a Marine Corps military engagement in Haditha, Iraq.

2007: Critical Acclaim for Scott Pelley's Journalism

In 2007, Scott Pelley received significant recognition from media critics for his work on 60 Minutes, including high-profile interviews with President George W. Bush and former CIA Director George Tenet. Journalists from publications such as The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and the National Review praised his interviewing style, effectiveness, and professional growth throughout 2007.

2008: Reporting on the Economic Collapse

In 2008, Scott Pelley provided significant reporting on the global economic collapse, covering the financial instability that defined the 2008-09 period.

2009: Interview with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke

During 2009, Scott Pelley conducted a historic interview with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, marking the first time in decades that a Fed Chairman participated in such an interview and effectively ending a long-standing tradition of silence.

2009: Scott Pelley and Team Win Second George Foster Peabody Award

In 2009, Scott Pelley and his reporting team were honored with their second George Foster Peabody Award, recognizing their investigation into the deaths of civilians during a Marine engagement in Haditha, Iraq, and a report regarding the medical relief organization Remote Area Medical (RAM).

2009: Scott Pelley and Team Receive Multiple Major Journalism Awards

Throughout 2009, Scott Pelley and his investigative team were honored with several prestigious accolades for their journalistic excellence. This included winning a George Polk Award, the Gerald Loeb Award for Television Enterprise Business Journalism, and an Investigative Reporters and Editors Award. These honors were largely driven by their deep-dive investigation into American recycling firms that were illegally exporting hazardous waste to China.

June 6, 2011: Scott Pelley named anchor of CBS Evening News

On June 6, 2011, Scott Pelley officially took over as the lead anchor of the CBS Evening News, stepping into the role previously held by Katie Couric.

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2011: Appointment as CBS Evening News Anchor

Scott Pelley began his tenure as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News in 2011.

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2012: Winning the Gerald Loeb Award

In 2012, Scott Pelley and his journalism team were honored with the prestigious Gerald Loeb Award for Explanatory business journalism, specifically for their investigative work on the story titled "The Next Housing Shock."

March 22, 2013: Named Outstanding Alumnus of Texas Tech University

On March 22, 2013, Scott Pelley received the Outstanding Alumnus award, which serves as the highest honor granted by the Texas Tech Alumni Association.

2013: Third George Foster Peabody Award Win

In 2013, Scott Pelley and his production team were honored with their third George Foster Peabody Award for a high-profile investigative report regarding a fraudulent medical study conducted at Duke University, which exposed how a prominent researcher falsified data related to a supposed cancer treatment breakthrough.

2014: Interview with FBI Director James Comey

In 2014, Scott Pelley conducted the first major television interview with then-FBI Director James Comey, marking a significant career milestone for the journalist.

February 2015: Los Angeles Times Praise for Pelley's Journalism

In February 2015, the Los Angeles Times published a critique commending Scott Pelley for his authentic, no-frills approach to broadcast journalism, noting that he did not rely on gimmicks to establish credibility.

September 2015: Meeting Pope Francis and Covering Papal Visit

In September 2015, Scott Pelley traveled to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis prior to the pontiff's trip to the United States. Following this encounter, Pelley served as the lead anchor for CBS News' comprehensive coverage of the Pope's American visit.

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2016: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism

In 2016, Scott Pelley received the prestigious Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in recognition of his significant contributions to the field.

2017: Conclusion of CBS Evening News Tenure

In 2017, Scott Pelley concluded his role as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, a period during which the program successfully increased its viewership.

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2017: Removal from CBS Evening News anchor chair

In 2017, Scott Pelley was removed from his position as anchor of the CBS Evening News, a decision he later attributed to his vocal complaints to CBS management regarding a hostile work environment within the news division.

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2019: Publication of Truth Worth Telling

In 2019, Scott Pelley released his book titled Truth Worth Telling, which highlights his career and perspective as a journalist.

April 10, 2022: Interview with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 60 Minutes

On April 10, 2022, a 60 Minutes segment aired featuring Scott Pelley's interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, conducted while Kyiv was under siege during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

October 15, 2023: Interview with President Joe Biden

On October 15, 2023, Scott Pelley conducted an in-depth interview with U.S. President Joe Biden, focusing on the implications of the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza.

2024: 2024 News Script Award for Healing and Hope

In 2024, the Writers Guild of America honored Scott Pelley, along with writers Nicole Young and Kristin Steve, with the News Script Award for their work on the 60 Minutes segment titled Healing and Hope.

April 27, 2025: Scott Pelley Tributes Bill Owens on 60 Minutes

On April 27, 2025, Scott Pelley utilized the 'Last Minute' segment of 60 Minutes to honor former executive producer Bill Owens. During this broadcast, Pelley addressed concerns regarding the editorial independence of the newsmagazine following corporate shifts at Paramount, noting that Owens resigned because he believed the show had lost the necessary autonomy for honest journalism. The segment also highlighted recent tensions regarding the program's coverage of political and international events.

2025: 2025 News Script Award for The Resistance

Scott Pelley and his co-writers, Nicole Young and Kristin Steve, received the News Script Award from the Writers Guild of America in 2025 for their contribution to the 60 Minutes segment titled The Resistance.

May 2026: Nick Bilton Appointed Executive Producer

In late May 2026, Nick Bilton officially took the helm as the new executive producer of the television program 60 Minutes, a move that preceded the escalating tension and eventual firing of Scott Pelley.

June 2, 2026: Termination from CBS News

On June 2, 2026, Scott Pelley was terminated from his position at CBS News following a volatile staff meeting where he openly criticized the network's editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, and the new executive producer of 60 Minutes, Nick Bilton. Pelley had accused Weiss of destroying the program and stated that Bilton was unwelcome on the show.

2026: Scott Pelley Departs CBS Following Editorial Dispute

In 2026, Scott Pelley announced his departure from CBS, citing a fundamental breakdown in values and editorial integrity. Pelley alleged that CBS leadership pressured him to include unverified and false claims in a report regarding 2026 protests in Minnesota, specifically involving a push to misrepresent the actions of a protester named Renée Good. Pelley refused to comply, noting that the request directly contradicted available video evidence, and subsequently resigned from his position at 60 Minutes.

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