Ernie Anastos’ cause of death has been revealed.
The legendary NYC news anchor died of pneumonia at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York Thursday morning, his wife, Kelly Anastos, confirmed to CBS News.
He was 82.
Ernie Anastos (seen above arriving at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival) died of pneumonia, according to his wife, Kelly. GC Images
Ernie (pictured above with his wife Kelly in 2011) died at 82 years old. WireImage
Ernie’s broadcast career spanned over 40 years, during which he covered major news topics like the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr., the September 11 terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He earned more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including a prestigious Lifetime Emmy. He also received the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence.
Ernie started at ABC 7 in 1978 before departing in 1989. He then joined CBS 2, moved to WWOR in 1997 and returned to CBS in 2001.
In 2005, he began working at Fox 5 NY alongside Rosanna Scotto. He left Fox 5 around 2020 to enroll in leadership management classes at Harvard Business School.
Ernie (seen above on television in 1986) had a broadcasting career that spanned over four decades. ABC
Ernie (pictured above at a book event at Barnes & Noble in New York City in November 2013) started his career at ABC 7 and later worked at Fox 5 NY for 15 years. WireImage
Scotto, 67, reacted to Ernie’s death in an exclusive statement to Page Six.
“He was a terrific newsman—compassionate and fair,” Scotto said about her former co-anchor.
She also said she learned a lot from Ernie, including how to “stay cool under pressure” and the importance of giving back to the community.
“I loved working with him,” Scotto told us. “We are all heartbroken to hear that he’s passed.”
Ernie worked at Fox 5 NY with Rosanna Scott, who is pictured above with Ernie at the City of Hope Jeanne Kaye Spirit of Life award luncheon in May 2008. Getty Images
Scotto (seen above in a selfie with Ernie) told Page Six that she’s “heartbroken” over Ernie’s death. Rosanna Scotto/Instagram
Another former Fox 5 colleague, Teresa Priolo, paid tribute to Ernie in a Facebook post.
“I’m here to confirm, every single good thing you will hear and read about this man is true,” Priolo wrote. “And then some. Times 10.”
She also called Ernie the “heart of our newsroom” and recognized that he was “endlessly proud of his children and grandchildren.”
Ernie married Kelly in November 1968. The couple had two children, son Philip and daughter Nina. He’s also survived by four grandchildren.