Shelby Scott Cause of Death: Did Ex-AFTRA President Die of Health Issue?

Shelby Scott, former president of AFTRA, died. She was 86.

Scott, who led the merger of AFTRA with SAG, left the organization members and her loved ones in deep shock following her passing.

SAG-AFTRA first announced her death in a statement on Sunday, taking its time to remember her works before taking her last breath.

The organization's national executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, applauded Scott for breaking the barriers throughout her career. But she reportedly did more work off-camera as the leader of SAF-AFTRA.

"As AFTRA national president for eight years, and a board member for many more, as a trustee on the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds, and through her foresight in working on merging SAG and AFTRA, Shelby's legacy is profound and she will be deeply missed," the press release went on.

It did not reveal Shelby Scott's cause of death. But Variety confirmed that she died at her home in Tucson, Arizona, hinting at the possibility that she died of health issues or natural causes.

Following the emergence of the news, internet users remembered her as a famed news anchor who they watched as they grew up.

Shelby Scott's Legacy

The Washington State native began her career at KIRO-TV and radio. At that time, she worked as traffic manager before landing more prominent roles, including on-air reporter, film editor, documentary producer, and writer.

In 1965, she joined Boston CBS affiliate WBZ as a news anchor and general assignment reporter, leading her to conquer the spotlight. Among her notable roles include co-anchoring "5:30 News" for five years and "Channel 4 News at Noon" for 14 years.

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With her notable career, Scott ultimately earned several accolades like the William F. Horner Jr. award from Suffolk University for Excellence in Journalism and United Press International's Tom Phillips Citation for Excellence in Broadcasting.

Her career in AFTRA started when she was elected to the board in 1981. More than a decade later, she became the national president of the union. With that, then-President Bill Clinton appointed her to the Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters' advisory committee.

Before ending her service in 2001, she received AFTRA's George Heller Gold Card. She remained as a board member in the years thereafter and even helped unite SAG and AFTRA leaders in 2012.

In 2008, Scott managed to be inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcast Hall of Fame.

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