The New York City media landscape has lost one of its most enduring and recognizable faces. Longtime news anchor Ernie Anastos has died at the age of 82, according to a representative.

For decades, Anastos was a constant presence in Tri-State living rooms, known for his upbeat delivery and his "Keep looking on the bright side" sign-off. His career spanned the golden era of local news, making him a household name across multiple flagship stations in the nation's largest market.

Anastos first arrived on the New York scene in 1979, joining WABC. He spent 11 years at Channel 7, helping define the station's dominant "Eyewitness News" era. His journey through the New York dial continued with high-profile stints at:

WCBS: Lending his veteran presence to the CBS flagship.
WNYW Fox 5: Where he spent the final chapter of his career before moving into specialized programming and Hall of Fame status.

Beyond the anchor desk, Anastos was a Hall of Fame broadcaster who transitioned into creating "Positively Ernie," a series focused on uplifting stories—a reflection of the personality he maintained throughout his 40-plus years on television.

He was a bridge between generations of viewers, remains one of the few anchors to have headlined the evening news at three different network-owned stations in New York, and earned numerous Emmy awards for his service to the city.

"Ernie was the ultimate pro," said one former colleague. "In a city that can be tough, he always brought a sense of class and optimism to the desk."

One of the best Anastos bloopers was the famous, “Keep fucking that chicken.” The clip got millions of views on social media.