Broadcasting legend John Roland who anchored New York’s Channel 5 news cast dies at 81
Broadcasting legend John Roland who anchored New York’s Channel 5 10pm newscast for thirty years dies aged 81
- John Roland anchored the 10 p.m. newscast for Fox 5 in NYC for nearly 30 years
- During his career, he covered historical events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Broadcasting legend John Roland, who was a news anchor for Fox 5 in New York City for three decades, has passed away at the age of 81.
Roland anchored the 10 p.m. newscast on the New York Channel for nearly 30 years after joining Fox 5 in 1969 as a political reporter and weekend anchor.
He became the nightly news anchor for the station in 1979, covering historic events such as the 9/11 terror attacks before his retirement in 2004.
Roland became a trusted journalist to millions over the decades and was known for “his candid speech and compassion for New Yorkers going through the city’s violent times in the 1970s,” Fox 5 said.
Those who worked with Roland, including his 1990s co-anchor Rosanna Scotto, said he was an inspiration.
Broadcasting legend John Roland, who hosted for Fox 5 in New York City for three decades (pictured), has passed away at the age of 81
John Roland throws a party celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 10:00 p.m. News Show at Fresco II On The Go in New York City during Fox 5 in 2007
“Sitting next to John was always a learning lesson,” Scotto said. “He was proud of his writing and his down-to-earth manner of communication. It was never clearer than anchoring alongside him during the 9/11 attacks.”
Former CBS News senior news editor Jerry Cipriano tweeted, “RIP John Roland, longtime anchor of The 10 O’Clock News on New York’s Channel 5.
“I will always be grateful to him for sharing a simple mantra with a young aspiring TV news writer: write like people talk. Thank you, Jan.’
Originally from Pittsburgh, the journalist began his broadcasting career in the 1960s, working for NBC News in Los Angeles, covering high-profile events such as the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy before joining Fox 5 for the remainder of his career. came.
Roland was also known to make the news. In May 1983, Roland and his friend were having a late dinner at the former Racing Club, a restaurant in New York City’s East Side, when three gunmen entered the eatery and attempted to rob customers.
Roland struggled with one of the robbers and shot him in the leg before managing to disarm him. The other two robbers attacked the news anchor and hit him over the head with a pistol that left Roland needing 32 stitches.
Police arrested the three robbers and their getaway driver as they attempted to flee. Roland’s heroic efforts to stop the robbers made the front pages of every local paper that week.
Those who worked with Roland, including his 1990s co-anchor Rosanna Scotto (pictured together on a newscast), said he was an inspiration
Roland became the nightly news anchor for the station in 1979, covering historic events such as the 9/11 terror attacks before his retirement in 2004
John Roland and Rosanna Scotto celebrate the 4th anniversary of The 10 PM News in New York City on Fox 5 in 2007
During his time at Fox 5, formerly WNYW-TV, Roland got into an on-air argument with Joyce Bruce, a mentally ill homeless woman and was later suspended. Roland personally apologized to Bruce and went back on the air after the brief suspension.
In September 2002, Roland nearly died at work after suffering from diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal disease, and was rushed to hospital.
He underwent 18 blood transfusions and doctors removed part of his colon in an operation that saved his life. Roland recovered and returned to work at the station in October.
The broadcaster spent his final years with his wife Zayda at their Florida home.