Deborah Norville Steps Down as Host of ‘Inside Edition’ After 30 Years

It’s the end of an era for TV news, as Deborah Norville announced she’s stepping down from Inside Edition after 30 years as host.

Expressing gratitude for her time at Inside Edition, the host announced her departure during the April 2 episode, stating that she is ready to move on to new opportunities. Despite receiving a generous offer to stay, she feels compelled to explore other ventures that align with her personal aspirations. She will be stepping down from her role at the end of the current season.

Hinting at upcoming endeavors, the 66-year-old mentioned that she has exciting projects in the pipeline that she will unveil in due course. She emphasized the privilege she has felt leading the show and collaborating with a talented team. Norville expressed her appreciation for the viewers, acknowledging the honor of being welcomed into their homes daily.

In an Instagram video, the veteran anchor reflected on her long-standing tenure in television. Noting her status as one of the longest-running anchors in American television history, she reminisced about the era when she began her career, referencing notable events like Bill Clinton’s presidency, O.J. Simpson’s murder trial, and Forrest Gump’s success at the Oscars.

Norville noted that while “change can be frightening,” the easier thing would have been for her to stay on the show. “I know this is the right decision for me, and I am so excited about what’s to come,” she concluded the clip.

Several of Norville’s colleagues congratulated her in the post’s comments. “It’s been an honor and pleasure to work with you, Deborah, but most of all it’s been a blessing to call you my friend,” wrote Insider Edition correspondent Lisa Guerrero. “Congratulations on your current milestone and for your new adventures ahead. Time for a celebratory drink when I get back to NY at the end of the month! 🥂 I ❤️ you.”

Entertainment Tonight cohost Nischelle Turner commented, “You are a LEGEND❤️.”

While Norville is keeping her upcoming projects under wraps, Variety announced in December 2024 that she will host CBS’ new game show, The Perfect Line, which is expected to premiere this fall.

“It’s a fun show you play along at home!” Norville wrote about her new gig via Instagram at the time. “Still a long way till launch but a great first step.”

Norville was a pageant queen before she got her journalism start in college. She joined NBC News in 1987 as a host for NBC News at Sunrise. She took over for Jane Pauley as an anchor for Today in 1990 but left the morning show after one year while on maternity leave.

“I was pushed out while on maternity leave, having just given birth to my first child. It was personally devastating to, in less than two years, go from ‘NBC’s fastest-rising star’ to a pariah in television. It was awful,” she claimed in a June 2012 column for The Hollywood Reporter. “But, just as an earthquake forces you to check the foundation of your home, having my career shatter forced me to reevaluate everything.”

She moved on at CBS News in 1992 and began anchoring Inside Edition in 1995.

Outside of her career, Norville has been married to Karl Wellner since 1987. The couple became parents with the birth of their son Niki in 1991 and expanded their family with son Kyle and daughter Mikaela in 1994 and 1997, respectively.