Biography

Ryan N. Smith is an Emmy-winning investigative journalist and television news executive at Paramount Skydance, serving as the Deputy Story Editor for 48 Hours on CBS TV + streaming, now reaching domestic and global audiences across Netflix, YouTube, Paramount+, syndication, FAST platforms and podcast series.

A seasoned storyteller, he has traveled the world reporting for CBS and plays a key role in guiding story selection and shaping many of the network’s most compelling true-crime investigations.

He tells stories about crime, justice, and the people caught in between.

Previously, Ryan was a top-performing development producer, producer, and field producer for the acclaimed newsmagazine, consistently delivering impactful journalism - from story concept to on-location reporting and final cut.

Trusted by viewers, law enforcement, attorneys, and families across the country, Ryan is no stranger to courtrooms, prisons, or the high stakes of television production.

His work is deeply informed by a life-altering trauma in his early 20s, which gives him an intimate understanding of resilience. This experience deepens his empathy for those navigating hardship and sharpens his commitment to telling their stories with care, nuance, and integrity. It also enables him to connect with all sides of the justice system - from grieving families to defendants facing the law.

More recently, Ryan's investigative reporting facilitated the launch of three true-crime podcast series for Paramount, expanding the brand's storytelling into the audio space and reaching new audiences.

A former White House intern - fulfilling a childhood dream - Ryan launched his career at the intersection of politics, media, and cultural storytelling, starting behind the scenes at the Late Show with David Letterman and CBS News, covering U.S. presidential elections. Over the years, his reporting and producing have earned top industry honors, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Breaking News Coverage and the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.

He holds a Master of Science, with honors, from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is a magna cum laude graduate of Wabash College. He hails from Sandusky, Ohio, and now calls New York City home.

He brings a deep sense of purpose to every story - driven by the belief that journalism, at its best, serves the public good and gives voice to people navigating the most difficult chapters of their lives. Through careful, compassionate storytelling, he aims to uncover truth and ensure that those at the heart of each story feel seen, heard, and understood.
- IMDb mini biography by: CBS / Paramount