Rosanna Scotto breaks down in tears live on air while mourning her mother’s death
“My mother would kill me right now if she saw me crying on the air, so we’re going to get it together,” Scotto joked
Rosanna Scotto became emotional during her first day back on Good Day New York following the death of her mother, Marion Scotto, breaking down in tears while speaking about her loss on live television.
The longtime New York anchor returned to the Fox 5 morning show on Tuesday, September 1, just days after announcing that her 90-year-old mother had died. During the broadcast, B.J. Thomas’ Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head played ahead of the morning weather forecast, prompting Scotto to become overwhelmed with emotion.
“Sorry, sorry. This song reminds me of my parents,” Scotto, 68, said as she tried to compose herself. She then thanked viewers for the messages and support she had received following her mother’s death.
“My mother would kill me right now if she saw me crying on the air, so we’re going to get it together,” Scotto joked through her tears.
Scotto had announced Marion’s death in an Instagram tribute on August 26, describing her mother as the heart of the Scotto family and remembering the values she had instilled in her children.
“To the world, Marion Scotto became known as the heart of Fresco by Scotto. But to us, she was simply Mom,” Scotto wrote. She described Marion as a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose greatest happiness came from watching her family grow.
Marion was also instrumental in turning the family’s Manhattan restaurant, Fresco by Scotto, into a New York institution. More than three decades ago, she took a major financial risk by mortgaging the Brooklyn home where she and her husband had raised their children to help open the Midtown restaurant.
The gamble paid off. Fresco by Scotto went on to welcome presidents, world leaders, royalty and celebrities, but according to Rosanna, her mother never measured the restaurant’s success by the famous people who walked through its doors. Instead, Marion cared about whether customers left feeling welcomed and looked after.
Scotto said those same principles shaped the family. Her mother taught them to work hard, take risks when they believed in something and “always make room for one more person.” Above all, however, Marion considered her family her greatest achievement.
After Scotto became emotional on Tuesday’s broadcast, her Good Day New York colleagues immediately offered their support. Co-anchor Dan Bowens expressed condolences on behalf of Fox 5 and its viewers, while meteorologist Mike Woods welcomed Scotto back and reassured her that they understood.
Before returning to the studio, Scotto had shared a video on Instagram thanking viewers, friends and fans for the messages she had received. She explained that she knew it was time to return to work because that was what her mother would have wanted.
In fact, Scotto recalled that Marion would probably have expected her to return much sooner. After Scotto’s father, Anthony Scotto, died in 2021, Marion sent her children back to work at the restaurant that very night.
“I’ve taken more time than she would have allowed if she were around,” Scotto said.
Scotto ended her tribute to her mother with a touching message about the possibility of Marion being reunited with Anthony. She wrote that her mother’s “table will always be set in our hearts” and hoped her father was waiting for her with Frank Sinatra music.
For Scotto, returning to Good Day New York was clearly a difficult step, but Tuesday’s emotional moment also reflected the close bond she shared with her mother and the lasting influence Marion had on both her family and the New York community.
