Ernie Anastos, the legendary television news anchor whose voice and smile became fixtures in New York homes for more than four decades, died early Thursday morning at Northern Westchester Hospital. He was 82.
Anastos succumbed to pneumonia in the early morning hours of March 12, his wife Kelly confirmed to CBS News. The news sent shockwaves through New York’s journalism community, where Anastos had earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and beloved anchors in the city’s history.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Ernie Anastos, who died at the age of 82. An Emmy Award-winning journalist and beloved former FOX 5 news anchor, his voice, integrity, and lasting impact on New York journalism will never be forgotten,” FOX 5 wrote in announcing his death.
Born July 12, 1943, in Nashua, New Hampshire, to a Greek-American family, Anastos carved out a remarkable career that saw him anchor the evening news at all four of New York’s flagship television stations—a feat virtually unmatched in the industry. He spent 11 years at WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News beginning in 1978, anchoring the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts before leaving in 1989. His career trajectory then took him to WCBS from 1989 to 1995, WWOR from 1997 to 2000, back to WCBS from 2001 to 2005, and finally to WNYW FOX 5 from 2005 to 2019, where he spent 14 years anchoring the 5 and 10 p.m. broadcasts.
“If there was a Mount Rushmore for news anchors in New York, Ernie would be one of the four faces,” said Tony Aiello of CBS News New York. He noted that Anastos worked at four stations and paired well with every co-anchor because he was such a consummate professional.
Throughout his storied career, Anastos covered some of the most significant moments in modern history. He was anchoring the night of Dec. 8, 1980, when WABC-TV confirmed that John Lennon had been killed outside the Dakota building in Manhattan. Decades later, he covered the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the coronavirus pandemic that devastated New York in 2020.
His exceptional work earned him more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence. But beyond the accolades, Anastos transcended the traditional role of news anchor, becoming a larger-than-life figure across the metropolitan area and a fixture at community events with a thriving social media presence.
Before arriving in New York, Anastos honed his craft at radio stations WRKO and WROR in Boston and at WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island, where he got his break as a television anchor. He graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a degree in sociology and later received honorary doctorate degrees from multiple institutions, including Marist College, New York Institute of Technology, Manhattanville College, Curry College, and Sacred Heart University.
In a testament to his lifelong commitment to learning, Anastos enrolled at Harvard Business School in June 2019 after leaving FOX 5, where he studied leadership and management courses. He remained active in broadcasting through his radio show “Positively Ernie” on WABC 770 AM and his nationally syndicated program “Positively America.”
Bill Ritter, Eyewitness News anchor who helms the same newscast Anastos anchored in the 1970s and 1980s, received a note from his predecessor just two weeks ago. “He was something unique and no matter your politics—Ernie was trusted. Reporting the news, reporting truth and facts, that’s what Ernie believed in,” Ritter said. “He will be more than missed.”
Anastos’s final social media post, published on March 3, featured a video of him in front of the Superman Globe at the Daily News Building in Manhattan. His message proved prophetic: “Now more than ever we need to promote and protect the truth!”
Anastos and his family had lived in Westchester County for decades, most recently in Armonk. He was well-known throughout the region as a celebrity host and chairperson for numerous charity events, including Juvenile Diabetes, Variety the Children’s Charity, March of Dimes, Easter Seals, and St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters. In 2017, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio declared March 21 “Ernie Anastos Day” in New York City.
Anastos most recently appeared on WABC-TV in a 2020 documentary about the death of John Lennon, reflecting on that tragic night 40 years earlier when he delivered the news that shocked the world.
His passing marks the end of an era in New York television news, leaving behind a legacy built on integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the truth. For generations of New Yorkers, Ernie Anastos wasn’t just a news anchor—he was a trusted companion who brought the world into their living rooms with warmth, clarity, and that unforgettable smile.
He is survived by his wife Kelly, daughter Nina, son Phillip, and four grandchildren.
