Former ‘Good Morning America’ national correspondent Lara Spencer is returning to the ABC morning show as “lifestyle anchor” after a seven year hiatus. At “GMA” she “will focus on many issues including family, parenting, health, fitness and work/life balance,” wrote ABC News president Ben Sherwood in an email to staff.
Spencer, who worked as a reporter for many years at WABC in New York City, joined “GMA” in 1999. She left in 2003 to become the co-anchor of “The Insider,” eventually moving to Los Angeles. At “The Insider,” she served as a regular contributor to CBS’ “The Early Show.”
Spencer was tapped to replace Mary Hart at “Entertainment Tonight” last August. Bad blood between Spencer and Hart ended up stopping the deal from happening, and Nancy O’Dell got the coveted gig.
Sherwood’s full note is after the jump.
I’m writing with exciting news about the GMA family.
In May, our very own Lara Spencer will come home to ABC News as Good Morning America’s lifestyle anchor. In this new role, Lara will bring her well-known and much admired versatility and vitality to a broad range of GMA stories.
Lara grew up at WABC-TV where she made her name covering features and hard news including the death of Princess Diana and the crash of TWA 800.
In 1999, she joined GMA as a national correspondent and many of us remember her spirited 50 state road trip in a bright red convertible. Lara also hosted Antiques Roadshow on PBS.
In 2003, Lara moved to The Insider as co-anchor from New York and later as solo anchor in Los Angeles. Over the past 7 years, she has interviewed celebrities and newsmakers from George Clooney to Hillary Clinton.
At GMA, Lara will focus on many issues including family, parenting, health, fitness and work/life balance. She will also help lead our entertainment and celebrity coverage. In addition, she will contribute to Nightline and, like our entire on-air team, she will report for every platform. She will be based in New York.
Through a remarkable news cycle this year, GMA has shown great strength. With Robin and George at the anchor desk and with Sam, Juju and the rest of the GMA team, I believe this is a very exciting time for the program.
Please join me in congratulating Lara and welcoming her home to ABC News.