After 35 years on Today (65 with NBC), Willard Scott has announced plans to retire from the morning news show.
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A celebrated author (“The Joy of Living”, “America Is My Neighborhood”) and actor (“Hogan’s Family”, “Bozo the Clown”), Scott started his career with NBC as a page in 1950 and in 1968 began reporting the weather for the NBC affiliate in Washington, DC, WRC-TV.
In recent years, Scott has appeared once or twice a week to mark the 100th birthdays of viewers.
Al Roker (l.) and Willard Scott on NBC’s “Today” at Rockefeller Center on July 14, 2009 in New York City. As part of the segment that aired Friday, journalists reminisced about Scott’s coverage of the George Bush inauguration ceremony that resulted in a kiss from newly minted first lady Barbara Bush.
Longtime anchor Matt Lauer revealed the news alongside his costars, marveling at Scott’s impressive tenure.
Tune in for Willard’s full send-off on Tuesday, Dec. 15!
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Scott, by the way, got married past year, at the age of 80. “I’ve been kissed by the best”. “And I remember smiling from ear to ear for Willard at that moment”. He was also the original portrayer of McDonald’s Ronald McDonald character. “I just love that face, ‘” she quipped.
