Henry Schuster, a veteran producer for 60 Minutes, has officially left CBS News after nearly two decades, and his farewell message makes it clear his exit is linked to the turmoil happening under the network’s new leadership.
The news of Henry Schuster’s departure from the legendary news program broke on June 29, 2026. After 19 years at 60 Minutes, Schuster announced his exit in a LinkedIn post, explaining that while he had been thinking about leaving for a while, his goodbye has been overshadowed by the “forced departures” of many of his colleagues.
Here is everything you need to know about who Henry Schuster is and why his departure is making headlines.
Who Is Henry Schuster?
Henry Schuster is a highly respected, award-winning television producer. Before joining 60 Minutes, he spent 25 years at CNN as a senior producer in the investigative unit. He moved to CBS News in January 2007.
During his time at 60 Minutes, Schuster covered many of the biggest stories of the last two decades. His portfolio includes reporting on the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of ISIS, a Marine unit in Afghanistan, Russian corruption, life inside Supermax prisons, and the Sandy Hook families. He also conducted five interviews with the chair of the Federal Reserve.
His work earned a Peabody Award in 2008 for a report called “Lifeline,” which looked at efforts to bring free health care to uninsured Americans. The report was so impactful that it was played in full before a House committee hearing about health insurance.
Schuster is also the author of the true crime book Hunting Eric Rudolph, which he co-wrote with Charles Stone.
Why Did Henry Schuster Leave 60 Minutes?
Schuster made it clear that his decision to leave was his own choice, and he took a buyout opportunity that was offered in February 2026. However, in his LinkedIn post, he did not shy away from addressing the internal conflict happening at the network.
“After almost two decades, it was time for a change. It has been a great run at 60 Minutes and what I got to do there was extraordinary. But I have been thinking about leaving for a while now and when the opportunity presented itself in February, I took it. And finally, it is official. Although, it has been overshadowed by the forced departures of so many colleagues and friends at the broadcast.”
The “forced departures” he mentions refer to the ongoing changes at CBS News led by Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
The Growing Turmoil at CBS News
Schuster’s exit adds to a growing list of departures from 60 Minutes following Bari Weiss’s appointment as editor-in-chief. The turmoil started when longtime executive producer Bill Owens resigned before Weiss arrived, citing corporate interference.
Recently, the network fired several high-profile staff members on a day employees call “Black Thursday.” Among those let go were executive producer Tanya Simon, correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, senior executive producer Draggan Mihailovich, and veteran producer Guy Campanile.
The most significant firing was that of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, who was let go after 37 years with the network. Pelley was fired after a heated meeting with newly installed executive producer Nick Bilton, where he reportedly accused Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes.
Anderson Cooper also left 60 Minutes earlier this year, although he remains at CNN. Reports say Cooper was uncomfortable with the direction of CBS News under Weiss.
What’s Next for Henry Schuster?
While many journalists might start a podcast, Schuster joked that he wants to avoid that cliché. He mentioned he is open to interesting projects and might even see if he has “another book” in him.
“What’s next? I ain’t the retiring type, so after a bit of a break, I will think about what comes next. Maybe I will finally get my high school diploma, or see if I have another book in me. Or maybe something else… I will try to avoid being a cliché, so I’m not starting a podcast or a Substack. At least not now.”
Also Read:
Who Is Bari Weiss?
Bari Weiss is the founder of The Free Press, an online media outlet. She was hired by CBS’s new owner, David Ellison, after his company Skydance Media bought Paramount Global for $8 billion. Weiss has no prior experience in broadcast television news. Her leadership has been met with criticism from staff and has led to accusations that she is dragging the network’s editorial stance to the right.
The recent wave of firings and departures signals a major shift for one of television’s most respected news programs.
Also Read: Kathy Griffin Claims She’s Banned From Jimmy Fallon’s Show, Slams Host for Booking Conor McGregor
For the latest breaking news and updates on television media, stay tuned to VvipTimes.
