Sue Simmons

WNBC anchor

Vitals

Full Name: Susan Simmons

Date of Birth: 05/27/1943 (66 years old)

Neighborhood: Midtown East

Filed Under: Media

Lists

Newscaster, Black, Lesbian, Local news

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Who

Local news institution Simmons has been reading the headlines on WNBC alongside Chuck Scarborough for more than 25 years.

Backstory

The daughter of jazz bassist John Simmons—who collaborated with legends like Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, and Billie Holliday—Sue began her journalism career as a correspondent for WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn. In 1974 she moved to WBAL in Baltimore to anchor the station's Action News, before heading to Washington to co-anchor the evening news on D.C.'s WRC-TV. In 1980, she joined WNBC in New York. She's been there ever since.

Of note

As familiar a part of the late-night television landscape as Leno and Letterman (at least as far as New Yorkers are concerned), Sue and Chuck have co-hosted WNBC's 11 p.m. news broadcast for close to 30 years. Shortly after her arrival in 1980, she picked up the co-anchor slot on the channel's Live At Five newscast and bantered with a rotating cast of co-anchors over the years that variously included Jack Cafferty, Scarborough, Matt Lauer, Dean Shepherd, Jim Rosenfield, and Perri Peltz. Simmons' schedule has been changed up several times in recent years. These days, she can be seen co-anchoring the news at 6pm and 11pm.

Keeping score

As of 2005, Simmons was earning $2.5 million annually—at least $500,000 less than Chuck.

Drama

In May 2008, the normally mild-mannered Simmons gave family-values types something to complain about when she screamed "What the fuck are you doing?" in a teaser for an 11 p.m. broadcast, not realizing she was live. The query was apparently directed toward Chuck, who'd failed to read his lines because he was distracted by something on his computer screen.

Personal

There's been speculation surrounding Simmons' sexuality for years although she's never discussed the issue publicly. She did take time to blurb Paws and Reflect, a book about the relationships between gay men and their dogs: "I was stunned by the emotions this book shook out of me." She lives in a Midtown East co-op.

For the record

Each year on Groundhog's Day, Simmons shows her soft and furry side, doing an on-air impression of a groundhog.

Recent Comments

fmikej13 said at 2:58AM on Aug 16, 2008

YES, it's common knowledge that SUE is a LESBIAN. In fact, when she first started with WNBC years ago, she shacked-up with the notoriously BUTCH LIZ SMITH for several months! I for one wish she would stop jumping in and out of the closet whenever it suits her. Her 'hide-n-seek' routine has worn thin.

Reply to this

NGS said at 10:44PM on Nov 11, 2008

Recently there have been reports of major turmoil at NBC affiliate, WNBC in New York City. Rumors have been circulating that WNBC plans on making major changes to on-air personalities, including their highly respected veteran news anchor, Sue Simmons. Sue Simmons is now, as she always has been, the premier female local news anchor in the United States. Her long time presence on television for over 35 years is due to her competence as a news anchor as well as the enormous "likeability factor" that she has maintained during her entire career. From her early days as a reporter in Connecticut and Baltimore, to her trail blazing career as the first black female anchor at WRC, the NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C., Sue Simmons opened the door of opportunity for every female news anchor who has followed in her enormous shadow. She has set the standard by which all female local news anchors are judged by. In 1980, NBC relocated Sue Simmons from Washington, D.C. to the largest television market in the United States - New York City. Who can possibly forget her incredible performance for many years as the lead anchor on "Live at 5", one of the first major early local news broadcasts in the United States? Not only has Sue Simmons been a pioneer in local news broadcasting, but she has become the most beloved news icon in every market that she has worked. Sue Simmons is respected and loved by millions of New Yorkers for her wit, charm and light hearted personality. Her longevity on television is a tribute to the enormous affection that she has garnered by viewers in every television market that she served. In the New York City market, where she has anchored for almost 30 years, Sue Simmons, along with Chuck Scarborough, are regarded as the most talented and beloved news team in the history of New York television. Last, but not least, let us not forget that at the age of 65, Sue Simmons remains today as one of the most beautiful anchors in television news. To say that Sue Simmons represents the very best in local news is an understatement. In New York City, Ms. Simmons is the single most beloved female local television news icon. When Sue Simmons feels that it is time to pass the baton on to her successor, New Yorkers will shed many a tear and will bid a fond farewell to a woman who has been a welcomed guest in their homes since 1980. Until that day arrives, I am confident that management at NBC will respect the remarkable career of women who has worked diligently for over 35 years in an industry where she has gained the respect, admiration and affection of tens of millions of viewers. /NGS