New York City has lost one of its most enduring and beloved voices. Ernie Alexander Anastos, the veteran television news anchor whose steady presence, elegant demeanor, and boundless optimism made him a household name across the tri-state area for over four decades, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, March 12, 2026. He was 82. Surrounded by his family, Anastos died of pneumonia at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York.
Remembered not just for delivering the news, but for delivering hope, Anastos was a fixture on WABC, WCBS, WWOR, and WNYW (Fox 5). To his colleagues, he was a generous mentor; to his viewers, he was a trusted friend; and to the Greek-American community, he was a fiercely proud advocate and pioneer.
Early Life & Education
Ernest Alexander Anastos was born on July 12, 1943, in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was raised in a multigenerational household steeped in Greek Orthodox tradition, love, and community. His profound faith and sunny disposition were heavily influenced by his paternal grandfather, Fr. Anastasios Anastasiou, who was among the first Greek Orthodox priests ordained in America.
Even as a child, Anastos exhibited a natural calling for broadcasting. He built a realistic radio station in his family’s basement, complete with microphones and turntables, setting the stage for his future career. He pursued higher education at Northeastern University in Boston, where he honed his journalistic skills before officially entering the media landscape.
Career Zenith & Contributions
Anastos’s illustrious career began in Boston radio, working as a newsman at WRKO and WROR under the pseudonym “Ernie Andrews”. In 1976, he transitioned to television as an anchor at WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island. His major breakthrough arrived in 1978 when he joined the fiercely competitive New York City market at WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News. Arriving during the “Happy Talk” era of local news, Anastos’s natural warmth and effortless delivery propelled him to the anchor desk, where he quickly became a local leader alongside legends like Rose Ann Scamardella.
Over the next 42 years, Anastos achieved a rare and remarkable feat: he anchored the evening news at four flagship New York stations.
- WABC-TV (1978–1989): Helped lead the station to local dominance, hosting the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts.
- WCBS-TV & WWOR-TV (1989–2005): Anchored across both networks, providing steady, reassuring coverage through some of the nation’s most defining moments, including the September 11 attacks and the death of Princess Diana.
- WNYW FOX 5 (2005–2019): Enjoyed his longest tenure in New York media, famously paired with co-anchor Rosanna Scotto.
Beyond the anchor desk, Anastos was a broadcast media licensee, forming the Anastos Media Group and owning several radio stations in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy market until 2012. In his later years, he combined his broadcasting expertise with his innate optimism to create Positively Ernie on 77 WABC radio and the nationally syndicated television program Positively America, focusing on uplifting stories and societal good.
Leadership & Affiliations
Anastos’s journalistic excellence was recognized at the highest levels of the industry. He was a proud inductee into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. His trophy case included more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, highlighted by a Lifetime Emmy Award and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in writing. In recognition of his civic contributions, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed March 21, 2017, as “Ernie Anastos Day”.
Equally significant was his leadership within the Greek-American and Orthodox communities. Widely recognized as the first Greek-American to anchor a major-market television newscast in the United States, Anastos served as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was a lifelong parishioner and dedicated Sunday School teacher at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle. His pride in his heritage was on full display as he served as Grand Marshal in 2010 and Honorary Grand Marshal in 2023 for the New York City Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue.
Legacy & Impact
Colleagues remember Anastos as a beacon of elegance and kindness in a notoriously high-pressure industry. CBS News New York’s Tony Aiello remarked, “If there was a Mount Rushmore for news anchors in New York, Ernie would be one of the four faces”. He was famous for his impeccable style—always “dressed to the Ts”—and his unique ability to ease the nerves of junior reporters. Veteran journalist Marcia Kramer fondly recalled how he would playfully toss a rose or a pencil at her to make her smile and forget her on-air anxiety.
Anastos carried personalized cards that he handed out to people he met; they simply read, “Live a Life that Matters”. He lived by this credo every day, ensuring that those around him felt seen, valued, and optimistic about the world.
He leaves behind a loving family and a legacy of joy. Anastos is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kelly (Coutros) Anastos, whom he married in 1968; their daughter, Nina; their son, Phillip, and daughter-in-law Aliki Tompros; four beloved grandchildren: Billy, Callie, Katherine, and Alexander; and his sister, Georgia Jordan. He was predeceased by his sister Maria Sutherland and his parents, Phillip and Alexandra Anastos.
Ernie Anastos did not just report the history of New York; he became an integral part of its fabric. His million-watt smile and reassuring voice will be profoundly missed, but his legacy of positivity will continue to inspire generations of journalists and viewers alike.