Rosanna Scotto broke down in tears during her first broadcast back after her mother’s death.
The “Good Day New York” co-host, 68, returned to the Fox 5 morning show Tuesday and became overwhelmed while B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” played on air. Scotto choked up and apologized to viewers, saying the song reminded her of her parents.
“My mother would kill me right now if she saw me crying on the air, so we’re going to get it together,” she said during the broadcast. “I just want to say thank you to everybody who has been so kind and supportive [after] my mom’s passing. Anyway, like I said, Mom, I’m sorry.”
Scotto had announced Marion Scotto’s death on Instagram on Aug. 26, noting her mother passed away at age 90. The elder Scotto was the matriarch behind Fresco by Scotto, the family’s Manhattan Italian restaurant that has drawn celebrities and world leaders for more than three decades.
“The woman who taught us that family comes first, that hard work is a privilege, and that faith, love and determination can carry you through almost anything,” Scotto wrote of her mother in the social media tribute.
Marion Scotto opened the restaurant in November 1993, a move her daughter described as an act of “incredible courage” and a “leap of faith.” The Midtown eatery became known for its star-studded clientele, including Jay-Z, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Sylvester Stallone, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
“She believed that if you welcomed every guest as though they were entering your home, success would follow,” Scotto added on Instagram. “She was right.”
But Fresco by Scotto was not her mother’s crowning legacy, Scotto made clear. “It was her family,” she wrote. Marion Scotto was a mother of four, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother. Among her grandchildren is Rosanna’s son, Louis Ruggiero Jr., who married in March.
“She believed in her family,” Scotto wrote. “She believed in hard work.”
During Tuesday’s emotional broadcast, co-anchor Dan Bowens offered support on behalf of the station. “Rosanna, you have our deepest condolences from all of us here at Fox 5 and all of our viewers,” he said.
Scotto had spoken about the restaurant’s appeal to VIPs in a June 2024 interview, explaining that high-profile guests felt comfortable there because “we make them feel comfortable here.” The family’s hospitality philosophy traced directly back to Marion Scotto’s founding vision.
The outpouring of viewer messages following her mother’s death prompted Scotto’s tearful thanks during her return. She acknowledged the support while struggling to compose herself, apologizing repeatedly as the song triggered memories of both parents.
Scotto continues co-hosting “Good Day New York” weekday mornings on Fox 5.