Iconic New York City Anchor Ernie Anastos Dies at 82

Anastos covered major news events like 9/11 and John Lennon's death during his decades-long career

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:18pm

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Ernie Anastos, a legendary New York City news anchor who covered major events like 9/11 and John Lennon's death during his more than 40-year career, has died at the age of 82. Anastos, who won over 30 Emmy Awards, was known for his trusted reporting and commitment to facts and truth. He anchored Eyewitness News in New York from 1978 to 1989 and worked at several other TV stations in the city, as well as in Boston and Providence, R.I.

Why it matters

Anastos was an iconic figure in New York City journalism, known for his decades of trusted reporting on the biggest news stories of the time. His passing marks the end of an era for the city's news landscape and highlights the important role local anchors play in informing and connecting with their communities.

The details

Ernie Anastos was born in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1943 to Greek immigrant parents. He initially considered becoming a priest before graduating from Northeastern University and landing his first news job in 1976. Over the next four decades, Anastos served as an anchor at multiple TV stations in New York City, Boston, and Providence. He was best known for his work at Eyewitness News in New York, where he anchored from 1978 to 1989. Throughout his career, Anastos covered major news events like the death of John Lennon in 1980 and the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

  • Anastos was born on July 12, 1943 in Nashua, New Hampshire.
  • He began his news career in 1976.
  • Anastos anchored Eyewitness News in New York from 1978 to 1989.
  • He covered the death of John Lennon on December 8, 1980.
  • Anastos reported on the 9/11 attacks in New York City in 2001.

The players

Ernie Anastos

A legendary New York City news anchor who covered major events like 9/11 and John Lennon's death during his more than 40-year career. He won over 30 Emmy Awards and was known for his trusted reporting and commitment to facts and truth.

Bill Ritter

An WABC Eyewitness News anchor who worked with Anastos and said "Ernie was trusted" and that "reporting the news, reporting truth and facts, that's what Ernie believed in."

Tony Aiello

A CBS News New York reporter who said "If there was a Mount Rushmore for news anchors in New York, Ernie would be one of the four faces."

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What they’re saying

“Ernie was trusted. Reporting the news, reporting truth and facts, that's what Ernie believed in.”

— Bill Ritter, WABC Eyewitness News anchor (WABC)

“If there was a Mount Rushmore for news anchors in New York, Ernie would be one of the four faces.”

— Tony Aiello, CBS News New York reporter (CBS News New York)

The takeaway

Ernie Anastos' passing marks the end of an era for New York City journalism. As an iconic and trusted news anchor for decades, he set a standard for ethical, fact-based reporting that future generations of local journalists will strive to emulate.