Longtime NYC News Anchor Ernie Anastos Dies at 82

Anastos was a fixture on New York TV news for over 30 years.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:04pm

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Ernie Anastos, a longtime news anchor in New York City who worked at three different television networks during his career, has died at the age of 82 according to multiple reports.

Why it matters

Anastos was a well-known and respected figure in the New York media landscape, serving as a news anchor for over three decades. His passing marks the end of an era for local TV news in the city.

The details

Anastos was best known for his 11-year tenure as a news anchor for Eyewitness News on ABC7 New York from 1978 to 1989. He later moved to WCBS-TV in 1989, where he covered the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

  • Anastos worked as a news anchor in New York City for over 30 years.
  • He was an Eyewitness News anchor on ABC7 New York from 1978 to 1989.
  • Anastos then moved to WCBS-TV in 1989 and covered the 9/11 attacks.

The players

Ernie Anastos

A longtime news anchor in New York City who worked at three different television networks during his career.

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The takeaway

Ernie Anastos' passing marks the end of an era for local TV news in New York City, where he was a fixture on the airwaves for over three decades.