Veteran Greek American broadcaster Ernie Anastos, a trusted television news anchor in New York for decades, has died aged 82.
Anastos died early Thursday morning of pneumonia at Northern Westchester Hospital, according to his wife. Fox 5 confirmed the news, describing him as “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,” the station said in a statement.
During a career spanning more than four decades, Anastos earned around 30 Emmy awards and nominations and reported on major events including the September 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also received a Lifetime Emmy Award and was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
The proud Greek American journalist worked at several leading New York television networks, including ABC 7, CBS 2, WWOR and Fox 5, where he anchored alongside Rosanna Scotto for many years.
Earlier in his career, Anastos revealed he was once encouraged to change his surname because “ethnic names were not all that hot,” a suggestion he refused.
Tributes quickly poured in from colleagues. Scotto wrote: “I enjoyed working with him, anchoring alongside of him on the 10 o’clock news. He was a good man and someone we really looked up to. We are all heartbroken.”
Former colleague Teresa Priolo described Anastos as “the gold standard in life and in this crazy news business.”
Source: NY Post
