News anchor Chuck Scarborough retires after 50 years at WNBC New York

☑️ Chuck Scarborough will leave NBC New York on Dec. 12

☑️ The 81-year-old calls it “retirement with an asterisk”

☑️ He is New York's longest-serving television news anchor

After 50 years at the anchor desk, NBC New York anchor Chuck Scarborough announced his retirement Thursday night during the 6 p.m. television news broadcast.

The 81-year-old Scarborough said his last day is Dec. 12, and then he will begin a “retirement with an asterisk.” A statement from the station said he will continue to work on special projects for the station.

"The time has come to pass the torch. Fifty years, eight months, and 17 days after I walked through the doors of the headquarters of the National Broadcasting Company I will step away from this anchor desk," Scarborough said at the end of Thursday's newscast. "I'll have more to say to you and my extraordinary colleagues, but for now I'll offer a simple, heartfelt thank you for allowing me into your living rooms and trusting us to bring you the news."

ALSO READ: Big Rusty wildfire considered 'suspicious' by NJ State Police

The unofficial dean

Scarborough is New York's longest-serving television news anchor, partnering with Sue Simmons, Jack Cafferty, Jim Hartz, Pat Harper, and Lynda Baquero throughout his years on television. He anchored both the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts before leaving the 11 p.m. slot in 2016. Currently, he co-anchors the 6 p.m. newscast with Natalie Pasquarella.

Bill Beutel's retirement from ABC 7 Eyewitness News in 2011 and Rafael Pineda from Spanish-language WXTV in 2013 made Scarborough the unofficial dean of New York broadcasters.

Scarborough, who worked in Mississippi, Atlanta and Boston and prior to his arrival in 1974, called it an “extraordinary honor” to come into the homes of viewers “trusting me to present the news free of any agenda, faithful to the fundamental principles of accuracy, objectivity and fairness—and to bring them vital, timely information during our darkest and brightest hours.”

Scarborough earned 36 local Emmy Awards and was honored by the New York Chapter of Television Arts & Sciences with their 2014 Governor’s Award. He also appeared in the movie "The Adjustment Bureau" in 2011, reporting a story about the film's lead character played by Matt Damon.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom