Rosanna Scotto The Fox News Anchor Who Has Owned New York for Decades

Rosanna Scotto Biography

Field	Details
Full Name	Rosanna Scotto
Date of Birth	April 29, 1958
Age (as of 2025)	67 years
Birthplace	New York City, USA
Raised In	Brooklyn, New York (Dyker Heights)
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Italian-American
Profession	News Anchor, Journalist
Famous For	Co-host of Good Day New York
Current Employer	Fox 5 New York
Years Active	1980 – Present
Education	The Catholic University of America (BFA)
Height	Approx. 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Father	Anthony M. Scotto
Mother	Marion Scotto
Spouse	Louis Ruggiero
Marriage Year	1986
Children	2 (L.J. and Jenna)
Net Worth	Approx. $5 million
Annual Salary	Approx. $175,000
Notable Shows	Good Day New York, Fox 5 News
Awards	5 Emmy Awards, AP Awards
Business Venture	Fresco by Scotto
Siblings	Elaina Scotto
Residence	New York Area, USA

If you’ve ever flipped on the TV in New York City early in the morning, chances are you’ve seen Rosanna Scotto smiling back at you from the screen. She’s warm, sharp, and refreshingly real — the kind of anchor who makes you feel like you’re catching up with an old friend over coffee. But who exactly is Rosanna Scotto, and what makes her such a beloved figure in American broadcasting? Let’s take a deep dive into her incredible life, career, family, and the legacy she’s built over more than three decades.

Who Is Rosanna Scotto?

For anyone still wondering — who is Rosanna Scotto? — here’s the short answer: she’s one of the most recognizable faces in New York media. Rosanna Scotto is an American news anchor and the co-host of Good Day New York on Fox 5 NY (WNYW) in New York City. She has held the title of lead female news anchor since 1990, a run that speaks volumes about her staying power in an industry where faces come and go faster than news cycles.

Her reputation goes far beyond just reading headlines. Rosanna Scotto has covered everything from high-profile criminal trials to exclusive political interviews, and she’s done it all with the kind of professionalism and charisma that keeps viewers tuned in. Whether you know her from Fox News, Good Day New York, or even her occasional film cameos, there’s no denying she has made her mark.

Early Life & Background: Brooklyn Roots and Italian Pride

Born and Raised in the Heart of New York

Rosanna Scotto was born on April 29, 1958, in New York City and raised in Brooklyn — a detail she has never shied away from and, in fact, wears proudly. She grew up in the Dyker Heights neighborhood, a close-knit Italian-American enclave where family dinners meant homemade sauce and Sunday traditions were sacred.

She is a third-generation Italian-American, with roots stretching back to Calabria on her mother’s side and the island of Ischia on her father’s. That cultural identity has remained central to who she is, both on and off camera.

Her father was Anthony M. Scotto, a labor union figure associated with the Gambino crime family who once controlled operations along the Brooklyn waterfront. It’s a complicated family history, but one that Rosanna has navigated publicly with grace throughout her career. Her mother, Marion Scotto, has been an equally significant figure in her life — more on that in the business ventures section.

Education: From Brooklyn to Washington, D.C.

Rosanna attended Visitation Academy, a Catholic elementary school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, before moving on to Brooklyn’s Packer Collegiate Institute, from which she graduated in 1976. She then headed to Washington, D.C., to attend The Catholic University of America (CUA), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1980. She later received honorary doctorates from both Mount St. Mary College (2014) and St. John’s University — recognitions that reflect how much her community values her contributions.

Timeline: From Atlanta to the Top of New York Broadcasting

The Early Years: Finding Her Footing (1980–1985)

After graduating from college, Rosanna Scotto kicked off her television career at WTBS, Ted Turner’s UHF station in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked as a reporter for two local programs and served as an associate producer for the station’s evening newscast. It was a solid foundation, but New York was always calling her home.

She returned to New York City in 1982, initially landing a role as a production assistant for Regis Philbin on what would later become Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. Philbin, recognizing her talent, gave her the opportunity to appear on camera once a week — a small opening that she turned into something much bigger. She soon joined WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News as a full-time reporter, where she honed her skills before making the leap to Fox.

Fox 5 / WNYW: A Career-Defining Home (1986–Present)

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1986, Rosanna received a phone call to fill in at Fox 5 — and the rest, as they say, is history. She joined WNYW-TV that year as a weekend anchor and reporter, and by 1994, she was anchoring the weekday edition of Fox 5 News. She went on to co-anchor the evening and nightly newscasts alongside Ernie Anastos, building one of the most trusted news partnerships in the New York market.

In 2008, she was promoted to co-anchor of Good Day New York, replacing Jodi Applegate. She shared that desk with Greg Kelly for nearly nine years, a pairing that generated tremendous chemistry and earned a devoted morning audience. When Greg Kelly departed in September 2017, longtime WABC-TV anchor Lori Stokes stepped in as co-anchor, a partnership that lasted until 2021. Former Fox 5 sports anchor Curt Menefee then joined Rosanna as co-anchor starting in early 2024, keeping the show fresh and energetic.

Is Rosanna Scotto leaving Fox? As of the latest available information, there is no indication she is stepping away. She remains very much an active and vibrant presence at Fox 5, continuing to anchor Good Day New York with the same passion she’s always brought to the job.

Notable Stories That Defined Her Journalism

Over the decades, Rosanna Scotto Fox News coverage has included some genuinely landmark moments in journalism. She covered the notorious “Preppie Murder Trial,” the Woody Allen/Mia Farrow child custody battle, and the trials of Joel Steinberg. She also played a pivotal role in helping Marty Tankleff secure a new trial, even landing an exclusive interview with him while he was still in jail — the kind of tenacious reporting that separates good journalists from great ones.

Her assignments have taken her far beyond the tri-state area, bringing her to Israel, Rome, and locations across the United States to tell stories that matter.

Awards & Recognition: A Shelf Full of Hardware

Rosanna Scotto’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed by the industry. She has won five Emmy Awards for her anchoring work on Fox 5 News at 10 and Good Day New York — a remarkable achievement that cements her status among New York’s broadcasting elite. She also took home the 1995 New York State Associated Press First Place Award for her report “New York Survival Guide,” along with three additional Associated Press First Place Awards and two special Associated Press Award nominations.

Rosanna Scotto’s Personal Life: Husband, Children & Home

Rosanna Scotto’s Husband

Who is Rosanna Scotto married to? Yes, Rosanna Scotto is married — and has been for a long time. She wed Louis Ruggiero, a lawyer, in 1986, the same year she joined Fox 5. The couple has been together for nearly four decades, which in the world of celebrity is practically an eternity.

How old is Rosanna Scotto’s husband? Louis Ruggiero keeps a relatively low public profile, so his exact age isn’t widely publicized, but the couple appears to have built a deeply stable and enduring partnership.

Rosanna Scotto’s Children

Rosanna and Louis have two children together — a son named L.J. and a daughter named Jenna. Rosanna has always been protective of her children’s privacy, though she has occasionally spoken about family life in interviews. Fans have naturally been curious about Rosanna Scotto’s son and Rosanna Scotto’s daughter, and Rosanna Scotto’s daughter’s age — but the family tends to keep those details close to home, which is entirely understandable given the public nature of Rosanna’s career.

Where Does Rosanna Scotto Live?

Where does Rosanna Scotto live now? She resides in the New York area, staying close to the city that has been the center of her professional life for over four decades. Where does Rosanna Scotto live more specifically isn’t something she broadcasts publicly — and fair enough, everyone deserves a private corner of the world.

How Tall Is Rosanna Scotto?

For those curious about the physical details — how tall is Rosanna Scotto? She stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall.

Rosanna Scotto’s Net Worth & Salary

How Much Is Rosanna Scotto Worth?

Rosanna Scotto’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, accumulated through decades of work as one of New York’s top news anchors. It’s an impressive figure that reflects not just her broadcasting career but also her business involvement and media presence.

How Much Does Rosanna Scotto Make?

How much does Rosanna Scotto make annually? Her salary is reported to be in the range of approximately $175,000 per year from her anchoring role. While that might seem modest compared to national network salaries, it’s worth noting that her total wealth is supplemented by her business ventures and other appearances.

Film & Television Appearances: More Than Just an Anchor

Rosanna Scotto has shown up on the silver screen more than a few times, typically playing — what else? — a news anchor. Her film credits include Ransom (1996), The Object of My Affection (1998), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), Ghostbusters (2016), and most recently Jackpot! (2024). She also appeared as herself in a 2023 episode of the hidden camera comedy show Impractical Jokers, which gave her a whole new audience of fans.

On the television side, she has been featured as a guest co-host on the conservative political talk show The Five on Fox — touching on the Rosanna Scotto Trump conversation, as the show frequently covers political topics and personalities from across the spectrum.

Fans looking for Rosanna Scotto (rosannascotto) latest updates can find her active on social media, where she shares glimpses of her work, family moments, and community involvement.

Business Ventures: Fresco by Scotto

The Family Restaurant

Is Rosanna Scotto related to the Scotto brothers restaurants? Yes — and the connection is a proud family story. Her mother, Marion Scotto, famously mortgaged the family home to open Fresco by Scotto, an Italian restaurant in Manhattan built around cherished family recipes. Rosanna’s sister, Elaina Scotto, co-owns and helps run the restaurant alongside their mother.

What does Rosanna Scotto’s sister do? Elaina Scotto is a restaurateur and caterer who plays an active role in the operation of Fresco by Scotto. Rosanna herself is a part-owner and frequently visits the restaurant, helping in the kitchen and personally greeting diners — a touch that says everything about how the Scotto family operates.

Fresco by Scotto has become something of a New York institution. It’s often referred to as the “NBC commissary” because of the stream of high-profile politicians and celebrities who regularly dine there — names like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have been spotted at its tables. Thirty years after opening, the restaurant is still going strong.

Younger Rosanna Scotto: How Old Is She Now?

Rosanna Scotto’s Age

How old is Rosanna Scotto? Born on April 29, 1958, she is currently 67 years old (as of 2025). While younger Rosanna Scotto photos from her early Fox 5 days show a bright-eyed reporter just getting started, today’s version is a seasoned veteran who has lost none of her energy or sharp wit. Age, it seems, has only added to her authority and warmth on screen.

Legacy & Impact: Three Decades of New York Broadcasting

There aren’t many journalists who can say they’ve anchored at the same network for nearly 40 years. Rosanna Scotto is one of the rare ones. Her legacy in New York City broadcasting is undeniable — she’s been a steady, trusted voice through some of the city’s most turbulent and joyful moments alike.

Beyond journalism, she’s been recognized as a pillar of the Italian-American community in New York, consistently using her platform to spotlight Italian-American businesses, stories, and people. Her cousin, Michael Scotto, is a NY1 news correspondent, suggesting the family’s commitment to public service and media runs deep.

Whether she’s breaking a major story, interviewing a Hollywood star on Good Day New York, or welcoming guests at Fresco by Scotto, Rosanna Scotto does everything with an authenticity that’s increasingly rare. She’s not just a news anchor — she’s a New York institution.

Also Read: Amy Robach The Life, Career, and Legacy of America’s Favorite News Anchor