Ernie Anastos, the Emmy-winning journalist who became one of New York’s most recognizable television news anchors, has died at the age of 82.
His family confirmed the news to WABC, though no further details about the cause of death were immediately released.
Anastos spent decades reporting in the New York City market, becoming a familiar presence for viewers across the tri-state area. His passing was acknowledged during the March 12 broadcast of Eyewitness News on WABC.
“He was one of a kind,” anchor Bill Ritter said during the broadcast. “He was a news legend in New York and throughout the tri-state area.”
Ritter also described Anastos as a journalist who earned the trust of viewers through his commitment to reporting facts and maintaining credibility.
Sharing a recent message from Anastos, Ritter read: “Hi Bill, love you, and stay happy and healthy. Ernie.”
Anastos worked at WABC from 1978 to 1989 and later appeared on several other major New York stations, including WWOR, WCBS, and WNYW. Over the course of his career he became one of the most recognized figures in local television news.
In addition to his work on television, Anastos hosted the radio talk show Positively Ernie on WABC 770 AM.
During his decades-long journalism career, Anastos reported on many of the most significant events in modern American history.
He covered the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and later reported extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier in his career, he was also present near the Dakota building in Manhattan on the night John Lennon was shot in 1980. He later appeared in the 2020 documentary Eyewitness to the Death of John Lennon, recounting the moment.
Anastos’ work earned him more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations throughout his career, including a Lifetime Emmy Award recognizing his long-standing contributions to broadcast journalism.
Born in New Hampshire, Anastos graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. His early broadcasting career began in Boston and Providence before he moved to New York City, where he built the reputation that made him a household name.
He also received several honorary doctorates from institutions including the New York Institute of Technology, Marist College, Manhattanville College, Curry College and Sacred Heart University.
In a past interview with WABC, Anastos reflected on what being a news anchor meant to him and how much viewer engagement mattered.
“They’ll mention a specific comment you made,” he said. “It really drives home that they were watching intently. They weren’t just channel surfing. They were fully engaged with what you were discussing. That’s incredibly personal.”
For many viewers in New York, Anastos’ voice and presence became synonymous with the evening news for decades.
