Ernie Anastos, the Hall of Fame broadcaster and staple of New York television for over 40 years, has died at the age of 82, per ew.com. The Emmy-winning anchor passed away on Thursday at Northern Westchester Hospital following a battle with pneumonia, his wife, Kelly Anastos, confirmed.
Anastos was a defining face of tri-state journalism, serving as a lead anchor for WABC-TV, WCBS and WNYW Fox 5. His career, which began in radio at the age of 15, eventually saw him collect more than 30 Emmy Awards and a prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award.
“He was a news legend in New York and throughout the tri-state,” said WABC anchor Bill Ritter during a televised tribute. “He was something unique, regardless of your politics.”
Born in New Hampshire in 1943, Anastos studied sociology and anthropology at Northeastern University before transitioning from Boston radio to television in 1976. By 1978, he had joined WABC’s Eyewitness News, where he anchored the flagship evening broadcasts for over a decade.
Throughout his tenure, Anastos covered the most pivotal moments of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including: The high crime eras of the 1980s,The death of Princess Diana, The September 11 attacks and The global COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond the news desk, Anastos was known for his “Positively Ernie” segments and his deep involvement in academia, holding five honorary doctorates. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised him as a “trusted voice” and a “role model in the craft of journalism.”
WNYW Fox 5, where Anastos concluded his television career, released a statement noting his “integrity and lasting impact” on the industry.
Anastos is survived by his wife, Kelly, their two children, Nina and Phillip, and four grandchildren.
•Featured image: Ernie Anastos in 2012/Theo Wargo/Getty
