‘GMA’ Star Rescued by FDNY After Getting Trapped in Elevator

ABC’s big move to its brand-new, state-of-the-art headquarters in trendy Hudson Square got off to a rocky start this week—when “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopoulos had to be rescued by the FDNY after getting stuck in an elevator for more than an hour.

The morning news veteran was on his way to work around dawn Tuesday when the elevator between the second and third floors suddenly froze. Along for the ride? His personal security guard, Richie.

“We were just going up like normal,” Stephanopoulos said on-air later that morning. “Then it stopped. No warning. Just dead.”

For a painful 75 minutes, Stephanopoulos remained inside the metal box, waiting for help. His only companions? Richie and a copy of The New York Times.

Luckily, he kept his cool.

“I was just answering emails and reading the paper,” he said. “I figured I’d be late—but I didn’t think I’d need to be rescued through the ceiling.”

That’s exactly what happened.

FDNY crews from Engine 24, Ladder 5, and Battalion 2 arrived quickly, popped the top hatch, and lowered a ladder into the shaft. Stephanopoulos, dressed in gym shorts, carefully climbed out and made it to the studio just in time to appear on-air.

Grateful for the daring save, Stephanopoulos didn’t just shout out the FDNY on live TV—he also sent them breakfast.

A full spread was delivered to the nearby Soho firehouse as a thank-you from the “GMA” team.

“We appreciate our neighbors at the FDNY being ready to help so early—and still getting George on the air!” said senior executive producer Simone Swink.

The incident comes after years of reported woes at ABC’s former Upper West Side headquarters—where staff complained of mice, faulty heating, and malfunctioning elevators.

Despite Disney’s massive investment in the new Hudson Square location, some insiders now joke that the building’s “bad juju” might’ve tagged along.

“Hopefully the elevator isn’t cursed,” one staffer quipped. “Or we’ll need the FDNY on speed dial.”

The morning mishap wasn’t the only headline for “Good Morning America.”

Later that day, the network quietly celebrated a major victory: for the first time in nearly two years, “GMA” beat NBC’s “Today” show in the ratings, officially reclaiming its No. 1 spot in the morning news wars.

“Rescued from an elevator and rescued the ratings,” one insider laughed. “Not a bad day for George.”