Ernie Anastos, the veteran New York television anchor whose familiar face and steady voice defined local evening news for generations of viewers, died Thursday at 82. People close to his family confirmed his death to local reporters. On air, Anastos was known both for hard-news coverage and for his upbeat "Positively Ernie" features that ran alongside his newscasts.
The news of his passing was confirmed to Eyewitness News by those close to his family, according to ABC7 New York. The station reports that Anastos spent 11 years as an anchor at Eyewitness News beginning in 1978 before leaving in 1989, and later worked at WCBS, WWOR and WNYW. ABC7 New York also notes he earned more than 30 Emmy awards, including a Lifetime Emmy Award.
Career and on-air work
Anastos’s broadcasting career spanned more than four decades and mixed high-profile reporting with human-interest storytelling. He enrolled in executive studies at Harvard Business School and created the "Positively Ernie" segments, which widened his role beyond the traditional anchor chair, as reported by TVNewsCheck. The outlet also highlighted his coverage of major stories including the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as interviews with presidents and other world leaders.
Honors and civic recognition
Anastos was also celebrated well beyond the newsroom. He received civic recognition from the city in 2017 when Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed March 21 "Ernie Anastos Day," according to Adweek. His official site and station biographies list dozens of awards, children’s books and production credits that underscored a career that stretched far past the nightly newscast.
Funeral arrangements and the cause of death were not immediately available Thursday night. ABC7 New York reported that the story will be updated as more information is released. We will update this post when official details from the family or his stations are made public.
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