“I have long believed that there is more that unites us than divides us,” Harry Smith tells PEOPLE
Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Harry Smith is returning to NBC News
- The veteran journalist is back after two years away from the network, PEOPLE can confirm
- “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do what I have done for so long: tell America’s story,” Smith says
Harry Smith is heading back to NBC News.
The veteran journalist, 75, is returning to NBC News as a contributor, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. In his new role, Smith will contribute what the network is calling “Common Good” feature stories through Today, NBC Nightly News and NBC News live events.
The return comes over two years after Smith’s initial NBC News departure, when the correspondent wrapped his 12-year run at the company.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do what I have done for so long: tell America’s story,” Smith says. “I have long believed that there is more that unites us than divides us. It’s in our bones. It’s part of America’s DNA.”
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Smith officially makes his return on Monday, Sept. 28, at NBC News’ live Common Ground event, where he’ll speak with violinist and Music Kitchen founder Kelly Hall-Tompkins about her work as a doctor and musician. Savannah Guthrie and Mike Tirico will lead the event.
In March 2024, Smith marked the end of his initial time at NBC News with “A Look Back” montage on Today, featuring glimpses of his interviews with the likes of Cher, Julia Roberts and Madonna. Colleagues Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones gathered to celebrate his departure.
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After getting a standing ovation from the emotional Today hosts, Smith said he had “nothing but gratitude” for his decade-plus of work at the company.
“Every time I would come on this show, I was welcomed so generously. I’ve had just this unbelievable array of phenomenal experiences since coming to NBC, and so I’m really full of nothing but gratitude.”
He added, “Every time I’d come on, everyone would drop their phones, pay attention to the story and then respond.”
Following his exit, he went back to his alma mater of Central College in Iowa to teach. Before his time at NBC News, Smith left CBS News in July 2011 after 25 years. He then served as a contributor for Rock Center with Brian Williams, before its 2013 cancellation.
During his first run at NBC News, he reported on stories, occasionally anchored for NBC Nightly News and had a weekly story in the “Sundays with Harry” Today segment.
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