Rosanna Scotto mourned the loss of her former Fox 5 New York co-anchor Ernie Anastos after the local news icon passed away.
“When I was in college, I had the opportunity to be introduced to Ernie and ask him what it would take to get into the TV business,” Scotto told Page Six in an exclusive statement Thursday.
The “Good Day New York” star recalled Anastos being “very gracious with his time and advice.”
Years later, she went on to work with Anastos at WNYW.
“Lo and behold, a number of years later, I had the honor of anchoring with Ernie on the 10 o’clock news,” she said. “He was a terrific newsman—compassionate and fair.”
Scotto said she learned so much from Anastos — including how to “stay cool under pressure” and the importance of giving back to the community.
“I loved working with him,” she said. “We are all heartbroken to hear that he’s passed.”
Scotto, 67, also took to social media to honor his legacy, writing in a touching Instagram post, “I enjoyed working with him, anchoring alongside of him on the 10 o’clock news. He was a good man and someone we really looked up to. We are all heartbroken.”
She also included a video montage capturing sweet memories together — from on set to nights out in New York City.
Loved ones confirmed Anastos’ death to ABC 7 News on Thursday. He was 82.
The longtime journalist’s broadcast career spanned more than four decades, becoming a fixture and one of the most recognizable faces on the local news.
In 1978, he joined WABC-TV as an anchor for the station’s Eyewitness News. From there, he went on to serve as the lead anchor at WCBS-TV, WWOR-TV and WNYW.
Over the course of his 40-years on camera, he covered major news events, including the September 11 attacks and the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Anastos earned more than 30 Emmy Awards and nominations, including a Lifetime Emmy. He also received the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcast excellence.
Outside of journalism, Anastos wrote the children’s book “Ernie & The Big Newz: The Adventures of a TV Reporter,” ran the production company Anastos Media Group and hosted a radio commentary segment on WABC.
