Russ Mitchell


Russell Edward "Russ" Mitchell is an American journalist best known for his career at CBS where he was anchor of The Early Show on Saturday, news anchor for The Early Show during the week, and weekend anchor of the CBS Evening News.
In December 2011, it was announced that he would leave CBS to join WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio, as a lead anchor, starting in January 2012.

Biography

Early years

Mitchell was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was raised in Rock Hill. He attended high school in Webster Groves in suburban St. Louis, and went on to graduate from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1982.

Career

Russ Mitchell's first television job came while he was still in high school, working as a part-time switchboard operator at KTVI in his native St. Louis. After graduation from Mizzou Mitchell worked as a reporter with Kansas City television station KMBC. Mitchell was later an anchor for WFAA Dallas, reporter at KTVI St. Louis, and a weekend anchor and reporter for KMOV St. Louis. He joined CBS News in 1992 as co-anchor of Up to the Minute. He was a correspondent for Eye to Eye on CBS, anchor of the CBS Sunday Night News, an original co-anchor on Saturday Early Show, news anchor for the weekday edition of The Early Show, anchor of the CBS Sunday Evening News and of the CBS Saturday Evening News. He also substituted for Harry Smith and Mark McEwen on CBS This Morning, the predecessor to the Early Show, and was a correspondent on CBS News Sunday Morning. He was also the primary substitute for Katie Couric and Scott Pelley on CBS Evening News.
In December 2011, it was announced that he would move to Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC, replacing Romona Robinson. Said Mitchell of the change: "I've been thinking about going back to local television for a few years... It's been a great run at CBS, but I miss the pulse of a local newsroom, and, being from the Midwest, I miss being part of a community. But I wasn't going to go just anywhere. Cleveland reminds me a great deal of the city where I grew up, and I'm looking forward to bringing my family because I think we're going to have a really good life there."

Personal life

Mitchell was married to Erica Townsend from 1987 to 2000. Their daughter Ashley is a college student. He married Karina Mahtani on December 2, 2006. They live in Cleveland, Ohio.

Honors and awards