Journalism and COVID-19: Remembering Tony Greer

This journalist profile is part of Journalism and COVID-19: The Toll of a Pandemic, PEN America’s project covering the toll of the coronavirus crisis on the journalism industry in the United States. Our hearts go out to the family members and friends of the journalists lost during the pandemic.

Photo from Facebook

Name: Tony Greer
Age: 62
Died: April 7, 2020
Location: New York, NY
Work History:¹“‘GMA’ mourns beloved camera operator who died of coronavirus” ABC7 Eyewitness News, April 8, 2020.

• Studio Camera Operator, Good Morning America

Selected Remembrances:
“He truly loved the show, especially the opportunity to shoot some of the actors, politicians and musicians that he admired. He had a sense of pride about working on GMA, and no matter the hour, if the show needed him to come in for an extra shift, he was always there for the team. Tony was someone that our audience doesn’t usually get to see — but as essential to the team as those that appear on camera every morning.”
—James Goldston, President, ABC News [The Hollywood Reporter]

“Tony lived his life to the fullest. He traveled the world.”
—Janet Greer, sister of Tony Greer [ABC 7 Chicago]

“A kind, smooth soul. Tony Greer. We started at ABC the same year, and I saw him every single day I went into the GMA studio the past 5 years. And he was forced to see me … since he worked the cameras in the studio. We just lost Tony. He tested positive for COVID-19. Tony had an old-school vibe and the first thing that comes to mind in describing him is simply, “he’s a cool brotha.” But the thing I remember most is how kind and genuine he was to my #BabySabine. He took the time to be sweet, and in those moments, his nature came through. Rest In Peace to Tony. A reminder to never miss a moment with the people you care about.”
—T.J. Holmes, Co-Anchor, GMA3: What You Need To Know [Instagram]

“Tony was the epitome of the eccentric artist.”
—Omar Johnson, friend of Tony Greer [ABC 7 Chicago]

“He was such a bright light working in our studio for more than six years, and you could just feel Tony’s beautiful spirit. You could feel it from a mile away. We loved Tony, and there’s so many things that he loved. He loved his family: his beloved mother Fanny, his sister Janet, his brother Kevin. He loved taking his nieces, nephews, any relative who came to visit him—he’d take them out and show them the city. He loved his longtime girlfriend, Robin. . . They loved traveling the world together—they traveled extensively. And Tony loved his music, playing guitar in his band, picking up gigs around the city. He played a mean guitar.

“He was a cool dude, and he loved GMA. He loved meeting all the people who would walk through our studio doors: actors, singers, stars. Tony got to see them all, and he took pictures with many of them. They were gracious to take a picture with him. We loved every single moment we were blessed to spend and share with Tony. . . He was kind, he was thoughtful, he was always a gentleman.”
—Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor, Good Morning America [Good Morning America]

“Tony Greer. Rest In Peace. He was a warm and exuberant part of the @GMA family, brightening our early mornings every day. He leaves a hole in the hearts of many. Wishing his loved ones strength at this devastating time.”
—Roxanna Sherwood, Senior Executive Producer, ABC News [Twitter]

“Tony and I shared the early shift in the breakfast room, and he was a consummate gentleman and just such a lovely man. Such a lovely spirit and. . . just a total pro.”
—George Stephanopoulos, Co-Anchor, Good Morning America [Good Morning America]

“A total pro, and [he was] somebody that you see every day and always had a ‘good morning,’ always a smile. . . he will be missed here in our studio.”
—Michael Strahan, Co-Anchor, Good Morning America [Good Morning America]

“He was sincere and he made you feel that that relationship was essential to him. . . And no matter if he had talked to you yesterday, or a year ago, you had that conversation with him you’re in his presence.”
—Steven Watkins, cousin of Tony Greer [ABC 7 Chicago]

“Tony was such a part of my morning routine—not just from the pantry where we’d get our food, but I almost would time my morning by seeing his smile, and that is going to be so missed.”
—Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist, ABC News [Good Morning America]