Early years

Mitchell was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was raised in Rock Hill. He attended high school in Webster Groves in suburban St. Louis, and went on to graduate from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1982.

Career

Mitchell was an anchor for WFAA Dallas (1983—1985), reporter at KTVI St. Louis (1985—1987), and a weekend anchor and reporter for KMOV St. Louis (1987—1992). He joined CBS News in 1992 as co-anchor of Up to the Minute. He was a correspondent for Eye to Eye on CBS (1993—1995) and anchor of the CBS Sunday Night News (1996—present), and an original co-anchor on Saturday Early Show from 1997 to 2007. He also substituted for Mark McEwen on CBS This Morning, the predecessor to the Early Show from 1997 to October 1999.

Personal life

Mitchell was married to Erica Townsend from 1987 to 2000. Their daughter Ashley is a college student. He married Karina Mahtani December 2, 2006. They live in New York City.