Anderson Cooper Announces Exit From 60 Minutes After Nearly 20 Years

by

Anderson Cooper is ending his time with 60 Minutes.

After almost 20 years with the show, I’m sharing the news that I’ve decided to move on. February 16th was my last day! It’s been an incredible run, and I’m excited for what’s next, but I’ll definitely cherish my time there.

Anderson said his time as a correspondent for 60 Minutes was a career highlight, allowing him to share incredible stories with a talented team. In a statement to Variety, he explained that after balancing roles at CNN and CBS for almost twenty years, he wants to prioritize spending time with his sons, Wyatt, 5, and Sebastian, 4, while they still want to spend time with him.

Prior to his departure, Anderson shared how much becoming a part of the team meant to him.

You know, it’s funny how careers unfold! I never really planned to be a correspondent, honestly. But I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the 60 Minutes team. I grew up watching it with my family – it was a real tradition – and we’d always discuss the stories we saw. It’s a show I’ve admired for as long as I can remember, and to actually be on it now is just incredible.

Anderson, 58, went on to note that it was simply “thrilling” to be approached for the job.

I agreed right away,” he said. “I’m still working on improving, and I’m excited to keep growing.”

Calling it a great honor, Anderson shared how the role had shaped his career.

He explained that this work is a completely different approach to interviewing. It involves in-depth, long-form storytelling, unlike the interviews he does for his CNN show. These projects require a much greater amount of research, time, and overall production effort.

He shared that it has been valuable in every interview he’s had. He’s also developed a different writing style and learned countless lessons, both large and small, though he feels he still has much more to learn.

For more shocking exits from some of your favorite shows, keep reading…

Jenna Lyons has confirmed she won’t be participating in the next season of The Real Housewives of New York City.

Confirming the speculation, the former J. Crew Creative Director announced on Instagram on November 21st that she would be joining season 16 of RHONY as a ‘friend of.’ She explained that because she wasn’t comfortable sharing her personal life on camera, they agreed this role was a good fit.

The fashion icon, who started on the Bravo show in 2022 for its fourteenth season, realized she didn’t want to be just a supporting player.

After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to return to the show,” she explained. “I’d be the oldest and only openly gay woman there, and I think it’s a chance for something fresh to happen.”

Fans were surprised in 2025 to learn that Mehcad Brooks was leaving the NBC crime show before its 25th season.

Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.

After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.

In a November social media post, Chrishell shared that she’s reached a point where she no longer relies on the show for income. She explained that because she has other work, continuing with the show was negatively affecting her mental well-being.

Jax Taylor has confirmed he won’t be participating in season three of The Valley. This decision comes after fans expressed concerns about his actions during the previous season.

As many of you know, I’m navigating a really challenging time with my divorce, but I’m committed to prioritizing what matters most: my well-being and becoming the best dad I can be. Right now, that means focusing on my sobriety, really working on my mental health, and making sure I’m a great coparent to our sweet little Cruz. Taking this time to heal and grow isn’t just for me, it’s about ensuring I can show up fully for him, and that’s my biggest priority.

Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the announcements happening close together.

Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.

Following the departures of Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim from Saturday Night Live, two more popular cast members, Gardner and Nwodim, announced they wouldn’t be back for the show’s 51st season. Gardner had been with the show for eight seasons, and Nwodim for seven.

Sofia Mattsson finished her role on the long-running soap opera in the summer of 2025, after seven years as Sasha Gilmore. Her character moved to Paris as part of the storyline.

Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, left the show after its successful first season.

The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in the season, calling it a truly special and innovative project. She also thanked viewers for watching and supporting the first season, and for sharing their personal stories with her.

As a storyteller, I always tell people to pay attention to the source material! Many viewers likely suspected Joel’s time was limited, especially knowing his fate in The Last of Us Part II – the game the show’s second season is based on – mirrored what happened. But honestly? Even knowing it was coming, seeing Joel brutally impaled was still a shocking moment. It’s a testament to Pedro Pascal’s performance and the show’s ability to build tension, even when you think you’re prepared.

Pascal, known for dying in roles on shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly that he’s used to it – he actually enjoys playing characters who meet an end!

Following what he called a “wild adventure,” Peter Krause finished his run as Captain Bobby Nash on the drama 9-1-1 in an episode that aired in April 2025.

According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to make a powerful sacrifice. Creator Tim Krause explained that the character’s purpose was to reflect the bravery of first responders, who put their lives on the line every day to save others, and his storyline is meant to honor their dedication.

Showrunner Tim Minear told Variety that killing off the popular, yet troubled, firefighter was a big decision. He explained that after eight seasons, they needed to raise the stakes for future storylines, and that meant someone had to die to make those stories feel meaningful.

Summer just got a little less fun.

In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo revealed she was leaving the Bravo series after being on the show for seven seasons.

Okay, so, it’s just… hitting me so hard right now. Seven summers! Seven summers I’ve spent listening to them, feeling like I know them. I’m so thankful for all the laughs, the amazing community we built around the podcast, and everything it’s given me. But honestly? They said it themselves – even good things have to end, and sometimes… well, sometimes even mistakes run their course. It’s just time to close this chapter, and I’m trying to be okay with it, but it hurts.

The popular Netflix show will not feature the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to release in April 2025.

In an Instagram post on April 23rd, the actress announced she’s leaving Emily in Paris. She shared photos with her former co-stars and described her time on the show as a fantastic experience full of growth, creativity, and cherished memories.

Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she will no longer be part of the show.

She shared on social media in July 2023 that the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and connected her with many of her closest friends. She added that after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.

Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Reneé Rapp is leaving. She shared on Instagram that they’re sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s upcoming music tour. Kaling expressed a lot of love for Rapp and her talent.

I still can’t believe it! For over a year, we’ve all been hearing whispers that Kevin Costner suddenly left ‘Yellowstone’ after four and a half amazing seasons, and now it’s confirmed! He officially said in June 2024 that he won’t be back to finish the fifth and final season. It just breaks my heart – I was so invested in his character, and now it feels like the show won’t be the same without him!

In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after 19 seasons as a main cast member.

Pompeo shared on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she felt the need to try new things. She explained that at 53, her mind felt scattered, and she couldn’t keep doing the same routines, like completing The New York Times crossword puzzle daily. Despite this, she did return for a guest appearance in May and continues to narrate the show.

But she’s not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Henry Cavill, known for his role in Batman vs. Superman, has announced he’s leaving the Netflix fantasy series after its third season. Liam Hemsworth will take over as Geralt, starting with season four and likely continuing in future seasons.

In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that after playing Geralt of Rivia, he would be stepping down from his role for Season 4, saying his time battling monsters and having adventures as the character had come to an end.

Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing Detective Jay Halstead for ten seasons.

Everyone involved with the show has poured their heart and soul into making each week’s episode, and it’s been a rewarding experience,” said Jesse Soffer in a statement following his last episode on October 5th. “I’m incredibly proud of my work as Detective Jay Halstead.

After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.

In August 2021, Emily VanCamp left the TV show The Resident on Fox, meaning she would no longer be playing her role as a doctor.

Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021, calling the role a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew, with whom she had a wonderful experience.

Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about who Raymond Reddington really is. Megan Boone, the actress who played Liz on NBC’s The Blacklist, decided to leave the show after season eight. Her character was killed off before she could read a letter containing the big reveal. Boone described her time on the show as “a dream” in an Instagram post when she announced her departure in 2021.

The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Rege-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. Fans were disappointed when it was announced in 2021 that he wouldn’t be returning.

He told Vanity Fair that he simply took on a job, completed it, and then did some additional work. ‘That’s all there is to it,’ he said. ‘I wish there was a more exciting story behind it.’

Ruby Rose first appeared as Batwoman (Kate Kane) in a 2018 crossover event and then led the CW’s Batwoman series for one season. This was a historic moment, as she became the first openly lesbian superhero to star in her own show. However, Rose announced she was leaving the role just two days after the season one finale in 2020. In season two, Javicia Leslie took over the role, playing a new character named Ryan Wilder who would become the new Batwoman.

Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.

America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant both a change for the characters at Cloud 9 and a loss for the series. While the pandemic led to a brief return in the first two episodes of season six, she ultimately came back for the show’s final episode to ensure her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) got a satisfying conclusion to their story.

As a huge fan of The Magicians, I was absolutely gutted when Quentin, played by Jason Ralph, gave his life to save Eliot (Hale Appleman) in the season four finale. It was a powerful moment, and while the show definitely isn’t afraid to kill off characters, I really missed Jason Ralph’s presence in the fifth and final season. It just wasn’t the same without him.

Ahead of the final season, Arrow‘s Emily Bett Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.

Felicity and I are very close, but after the seventh chapter, we’ll be finishing our story and saying goodbye.

She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show’s 2020 series finale.

Lauren Cohan initially left The Walking Dead in 2018 after difficult contract talks. While she appeared in a few episodes of season nine, her character, Maggie Greene, disappeared after a time jump of six years. Producers wanted her to come back, and when her new show, Whiskey Cavalier, on ABC was canceled, she did. Cohan returned to The Walking Dead in the 16th episode of season ten, which aired in October 2020.

Following Cohan and Andrew Lincoln’s departures from the show, Danai Gurira also left. She joined the AMC series as the skilled swordswoman Michonne in season three and appeared for the last time in an episode from March 2020, during season ten.

I was absolutely thrilled when Nicollette Sheridan joined the cast as Alexis Carrington! She was fantastic in season one and became a real staple as a series regular in season two. It was sad to hear she decided to leave before season three in 2019, but I completely understood – she wanted to be with her mother, who wasn’t well, and family always comes first.

George Eads left the CBS series in 2019, during its third season. He stated he wanted to focus on spending more time with his family.

Read More

2026-02-17 01:48