Rosanna Scott mourns the loss of local news icon and former FOX5 New York co-anchor Ernie Anastos.
“When I was in college, I was introduced to Arnie and had the opportunity to ask him what it took to break into the television industry,” Scott told Page Six in an exclusive statement Thursday.
The “Good Day New York” star recalled that Anastos was “very kind with his time and advice.”
Years later, she continued to work with Anastos at WNYW.
“Lo and behold, a few years later, I had the honor of co-anchoring the 10 o’clock news with Ernie,” she said. “He was a great newspaper reporter, caring and fair.”
Scott said he learned a lot from Anastos, including how to “remain calm under pressure” and the importance of giving back to the community.
“I loved working with him,” she said. “We are all saddened to hear of his passing.”
Scott, 67, also took to social media to praise his legacy, writing in a touching Instagram post: “I enjoyed working with him and co-anchoring on the 10 o’clock news. He was a good man and someone we truly looked up to. We are all heartbroken.”
She also included a video montage capturing their sweet memories together, from filming sets to nights out in New York City.
Loved ones confirmed Anastos’ death to ABC 7 News on Thursday. He was 82 years old.
The longtime journalist’s broadcast career spanned more than 40 years, making her a fixture on local news and one of its most recognizable faces.
In 1978, he joined WABC-TV as the Eyewitness News anchor. From there, he went on to serve as lead anchor at WCBS-TV, WWOR-TV, and WNYW.
During his 40 years as a photographer, he has covered major news events including the September 11th terrorist attacks and the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Anastos has earned over 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including a Lifetime Emmy Award. He also received the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Broadcasting.
Outside of journalism, Anastos wrote the children’s book “Ernie and the Big News: The Adventures of a Television Reporter,” ran a production company, Anastos Media Group, and hosted a radio commentary segment on WABC.
