Ernie Anastos, the Emmy Award-winning television news anchor whose steady, optimistic presence defined New York City broadcasting for more than four decades, passed away on March 11, 2026, at Northern Westchester Hospital. He was 82. The cause of death was pneumonia, as confirmed by his wife, Kelly Anastos. A ubiquitous and trusted voice across the tri-state area, Anastos anchored the evening news at four flagship network stations in New York—WABC-TV, WCBS-TV, WWOR-TV, and WNYW-TV (Fox 5)—leaving an indelible mark on American broadcast journalism.
Early Life & Education
Born on July 12, 1943, in Nashua, New Hampshire, Ernest Anastos was raised in a deeply traditional Greek Orthodox household. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Fr. Anastasios Anastasiou, one of the first Greek Orthodox priests ordained in the United States. This spiritual upbringing instilled in Anastos a profound sense of community, compassion, and the optimistic outlook that would later become his professional hallmark.
His passion for broadcasting ignited early; by age 15, he was working in local radio under the on-air name “Ernie Andrews”. He pursued higher education at Northeastern University in Boston, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Following his undergraduate studies, he continued to hone his skills as a newsman at Boston radio stations WRKO and WROR. Decades later, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to professional development, Anastos enrolled in an executive leadership and management program at Harvard Business School.
Career Zenith & Contributions
Anastos transitioned from radio to television in 1976 as an anchor for WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island. His talent quickly caught the attention of major market executives, and in June 1978, he was hired by WABC-TV in New York. By November of that year, he was co-anchoring the prestigious 11:00 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast, entering what was then considered the most formidable television newsroom in the city.
During the “Happy Talk” era of local news, Anastos’s naturally sunny, upbeat disposition set him apart. He possessed a unique ability to deliver hard news with empathy while maintaining a trusted, authoritative voice. Over his 42-year career in New York, he covered some of the most consequential events of the modern era, including the September 11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. His field reporting included a 2004 assignment in Cuba under Fidel Castro, and his interview portfolio featured global figures such as U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and South African Bishop Desmond Tutu.
In 2005, Anastos signed a landmark contract with WNYW (Fox 5), where he remained a beloved fixture until his retirement from the network in 2020. Beyond anchoring, he expanded his media footprint as a radio host—most recently launching the uplifting Positively Ernie program on WABC AM in 2023—and as a children’s book author and television producer.
Leadership & Affiliations
Anastos’s professional excellence earned him more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including a Lifetime Emmy Award and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence. In 2024, he was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
Beyond the newsroom, Anastos was a pillar of the Greek-American community. He was an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest honor bestowed upon a layperson in the Greek Orthodox Church. He remained a lifelong parishioner and Sunday School teacher at Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, New York, and frequently served as a prominent figure at the New York City Greek Independence Day Parade.
His civic contributions were formally recognized in 2017 when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio designated March 21 as “Ernie Anastos Day,” celebrating his enduring service to the city’s residents.
Legacy & Impact
Ernie Anastos is remembered not only for his journalistic rigor but for his relentless optimism and deep love for New York City. At a time when the news cycle often skewed negative, Anastos championed uplifting storytelling, operating under the philosophy that journalism should inform, educate, and inspire.
He is survived by his wife, Kelly Anastos; his two children, Nina and Phillip; and four grandchildren. As a pioneering Greek-American broadcaster, a dedicated family man, and a trusted evening companion to millions of viewers, Anastos’s legacy will endure in the annals of New York television history. His warm sign-offs and unwavering integrity remain a benchmark for future generations of journalists.