CNN anchors Jim Sciutto and Poppy Harlow paid emotional tribute to stage manager Jay Conroy, who died over the weekend, with Sciutto calling him “a deeply special person” who, among other things, shepherded the news staff to safety during a 2018 bomb threat.
Watch the tribute below.
Details of Conroy’s death, including cause and exact time, were not immediately available.
In addition to his CNN work, Conroy hosted the New York-based Rock Hard website and radio show featuring music, commentary and rock band interviews. Prior to CNN, Conroy worked backstage with various bands, and in 2012 CNN surprised him on camera with an in-person meeting with Conroy’s favorite band, Aerosmith.
Conroy is survived by four children.
We at @CNN lost a dear, dear colleague and friend this weekend. Our stage manager Jay Conroy took care of us, kept us safe and made us laugh. We will miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/vIKhWrldTD
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 17, 2022
We’ve lost a friend at CNN. Jay Conroy was a stage manager – and so much more. He was a producer, greeter, fixer, hype man, unsung hero for anchors and guests. Just last month, he ran two hours worth of Reliable Sources tapings with a 1000-watt smile, putting us all at ease.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 17, 2022
Years ago, when I was running late for a live shot and my office was upstairs, Jay bellowed from the newsroom set, “BRIAN!” I ran down, and it became a running joke in the newsroom. He called out for me before every hit. I’ll remember his voice forever. Rock on, Jay 🎸
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 17, 2022