Stone Phillips

Stone Phillips is an American broadcast journalist best known for his tenure as a co-anchor of the prime-time news magazine program Dateline NBC. With a career spanning over three decades at NBC News, he became recognized for his serious demeanor, incisive interviewing style, and coverage of major news events. His work earned him multiple awards, including several Emmy Awards, solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in American television.

Early life and education

Stone Stockton Phillips was born in Tacoma, Washington, and spent part of his youth in Europe due to his father's career in the United States Army. He attended high school in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was a standout athlete. Phillips pursued higher education at Yale University, graduating with a degree in English literature. At Yale, he continued his athletic pursuits, playing varsity basketball under coach Carm Cozza and serving as team captain, which honed his discipline and teamwork skills later valuable in broadcast journalism.

Career

Phillips began his journalism career in 1978 as a general assignment reporter for WAGA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. His work quickly garnered attention, leading to a position at ABC News in New York City in 1983, where he served as a correspondent for programs like World News Tonight and 20/20. In 1990, he made a significant move to NBC News, initially contributing to NBC Nightly News and Today. His major breakthrough came in 1992 when he was named co-anchor of the newly launched Dateline NBC, alongside Jane Pauley. During his long tenure, which lasted until 2007, Phillips reported on and anchored coverage of major stories including the O. J. Simpson murder case, the September 11 attacks, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and conducted notable interviews with figures such as Michael Jackson and Hillary Clinton.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Stone Phillips received widespread acclaim from the journalism industry. He is a multiple Emmy Award winner, receiving recognition for his reporting and interviewing. His work on Dateline NBC also earned the program several awards for its in-depth journalism. Phillips was honored with the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award and awards from the Associated Press for his investigative reporting. Furthermore, his peers in the Radio Television Digital News Association have recognized his contributions to broadcast journalism.

Personal life

Phillips married Deborah Skardal in 1983, and the couple has two daughters. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and philanthropic interests. An avid sports enthusiast, he has participated in charity sporting events and has been involved with organizations supporting education and youth athletics. The family has resided primarily in New York City and Connecticut.

Later work and legacy

After departing Dateline NBC in 2007, Phillips continued to work as a freelance journalist and contributor. He hosted the History Channel series History's Business and made guest appearances on various news programs. His legacy is that of a stalwart of the network news magazine format, known for a calm, authoritative presence that guided viewers through complex and often sensational stories. He is regarded as part of a generation of anchors, including Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings, who defined television news in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Category:American television journalists Category:Yale University alumni Category:1954 births Category:Living people