Stone Stockton Phillips, known professionally in news media as Stone Phillips, was born in Texas on December 2, 1954. As an American television reporter, he was once a regular face across households in the United States. The Emmy Award-winning reporter was a fixture on TV screens and gained recognition for his calm demeanor and straight-to-the-point attitude.
Over the years, Stone Phillips worked with several major networks, including ABC and NBC. After ending his twelve-year relationship with ABC, he became a co-anchor of Dateline NBC, a position he held until 2007, when his contract with the network was not renewed due to cost-cutting measures. With just a handful of TV appearances after his exit from NBC, not much has been seen or heard about Phillips.
The Early Days Of Stone Phillips’ Career
After graduating from Yale University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Philosophy, Stone Phillips was ready to embark on his career. Following a brief stint as a teacher, Phillips landed a job at a local TV station in Atlanta, and within a space of just two years, he received an offer to work for ABC News in Washington, D.C. He quickly began covering major stories, and it was obvious he had a real natural talent. He worked at ABC for over a decade before deciding to take a position with NBC in 1992.
In addition to becoming the co-anchor of Dateline NBC, he was also the host of Weekend Magazine with Stone Phillips, which debuted in 1993. During his time at NBC, Phillips’ interviewing skills allowed him to sit down with high-profile personalities, including serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. By the time he was let go from Dateline NBC in 2007, Phillips had done hundreds of interviews and had become one of the most recognizable faces in the American news media.
Why Did Stone Phillips Leave Dateline NBC?
Being let go from Dateline NBC was a huge turning point in Stone Phillips’ career. He had hoped to renegotiate his contract after the 2006 season. However, NBC chose not to renew his contract. Getting let go from a job can be devastating, but Phillips seemed to take it in stride. At the time, Stone shared that he had no immediate plans to return to work. Instead, he would take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with his family.
Before Phillips left the newsmagazine show, most viewers would probably not have imagined Dateline NBC without him. But if there’s one thing that’s true about the entertainment industry, the show must go on. The show is currently in its 31st season and is anchored by Lester Holt.
Stone Phillips After NBC
If you have wondered what Stone Phillips may have been up to for the years after leaving NBC, you certainly aren’t alone. Many people have questioned why the Emmy winner chose to step away from news media and if he ever plans to return. Phillips has never directly addressed this; however, he made a small and quiet comeback a few years back when he began contributing to PBS NewsHour in 2013.
In 2014, Phillips produced an hour-long documentary called Moving With Grace. The project followed his and his siblings’ efforts as they cared for their aging parents. Following this documentary, Phillips took time away from the media again, though he kept sharing interesting reports on his blog, Stone Phillips Reports, for a little while.
What is Stone Phillips Up To Now?
Many fans of the savvy former news anchor may have tried to search for him on social media. Stone does have a Twitter account, but it doesn’t appear to have had any activity since 2017. He is married to Debra Del Toro-Phillips, a successful fashion designer, and they have a son together. According to Debra’s LinkedIn page, she lives in the New York area, which means Stone likely also lives there.
A more recent sighting of Stone Phillips was in 2018 at the premiere of Hulu’s miniseries The Looming Tower. While the exact details of why the renowned newscaster left behind a vibrant career remain unknown, there’s a good chance he probably just wanted to enjoy a simpler life. Going by the figures on his paycheck from his time at NBC (estimated to be at least $7 million), it’s safe to say that Stone Phillips is enjoying a very comfortable retirement with his family.
Follow Us
