History of Al Roker in Timeline

Al Roker is an American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author best known as the weather anchor on NBC's Today. He also occasionally co-hosts 3rd Hour Today. Roker previously held the American Meteorological Society's Television Seal of Approval.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Success & Recognition

August 20, 1954: Al Roker Born

On August 20, 1954, Albert Lincoln Roker Jr., known as Al Roker, was born. He is an American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author.

1974: Weather Anchor at WHEN-TV

In 1974, Al Roker began working as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, New York, while he was enrolled at SUNY Oswego.

1976: Graduation from SUNY Oswego

In 1976, Al Roker graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego with a B.A. in communications.

1976: Left WHEN-TV

In 1976, Al Roker left his position as a weather anchor at CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, New York.

1976: Married Mary Puglisi

In 1976, Al Roker married his college girlfriend, Mary Puglisi.

1978: Hired at WKYC

In 1978, Al Roker began his career with NBC when he was hired at WKYC in Cleveland.

1983: Returns to New York City as Weekend Weathercaster

In late 1983, Al Roker returned to New York City as a weekend weathercaster for WNBC-TV.

December 1984: Married Alice Bell

In December 1984, Al Roker married WNBC producer Alice Bell.

1987: Adopted Daughter Courtney

In 1987, Al Roker and Alice Bell adopted a daughter, Courtney, as an infant.

1990: Filled in on The Today Show

In 1990, Al Roker began filling in for Willard Scott and Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show.

September 16, 1995: Marriage to Deborah Roberts

On September 16, 1995, Al Roker married TV journalist Deborah Roberts.

1995: Host of The Al Roker Show

In 1995, Al Roker became the host of The Al Roker Show, a weekend talk show on CNBC.

1995: Host of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Coverage

In 1995, Al Roker began hosting NBC's coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, providing commentary with his Today Show colleagues.

January 26, 1996: Regular Weekday Weather Slot on Today

On January 26, 1996, Al Roker received the regular weekday weather slot on Today, following Scott's semi-retirement announcement.

1996: Host of Remember This?

From 1996, Al Roker hosted a game show on MSNBC called Remember This?

1996: Substitute Forecaster for NBC News at Sunrise

In 1996, Al Roker concluded his role as the regular substitute for forecaster Joe Witte on the NBC News program NBC News at Sunrise, a role he had held since 1983.

1997: Concluded hosting Remember This?

In 1997, Al Roker concluded hosting the game show Remember This? on MSNBC.

1997: Filled in on The Today Show

In 1997, Al Roker filled in for Matt Lauer on the Today Show.

November 17, 1998: Birth of Daughter Leila

On November 17, 1998, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts' daughter Leila was born.

June 2001: Underwent Knee Replacement Surgery

In June 2001, Al Roker underwent a total knee arthroplasty on his left knee.

July 18, 2002: Birth of Son Nicholas

On July 18, 2002, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts' son Nicholas was born.

2002: Underwent Gastric Bypass Surgery

In 2002, Al Roker underwent gastric bypass surgery to lose weight after failing at numerous diets.

May 22, 2003: Cameo in The Play What I Wrote

On May 22, 2003, Al Roker made a cameo appearance in The Play What I Wrote on Broadway as the Mystery Guest Star.

2005: Back Operation

In 2005, Al Roker had a back operation.

2005: Reports from Hurricane Wilma

In 2005, Al Roker reported from inside Hurricane Wilma, during which he was swept off his feet by the wind.

2007: Substitute Host on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

From March 5–9, 2007, Al Roker substituted for Meredith Vieira for a week of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire shows.

2007: Supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities

In 2007, Al Roker became an official supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities and a member of their celebrity board, Friends of RMHC.

May 10, 2008: Spokesperson for Amtrak's National Train Day

On May 10, 2008, Al Roker was the official spokesperson for Amtrak's National Train Day.

2008: Host of Celebrity Family Feud

In 2008, Al Roker hosted NBC's Celebrity Family Feud.

2009: Wake Up with Al Premieres

In 2009, Al Roker began hosting Wake Up with Al on The Weather Channel, airing from 5:00–7:00 a.m. on weekday mornings.

2009: Co-authored murder mystery series

In 2009, Al Roker, along with Dick Lochte, co-authored a series of murder mysteries featuring Billy Blessing.

November 2010: Runs in New York City Marathon

In November 2010, Al Roker participated in the New York City Marathon.

2010: The Midnight Show Murders Publication

In 2010, Al Roker's second book in the Billy Blessing series, The Midnight Show Murders, was published.

2011: Nomination for Nero Award

In 2011, Al Roker's book, The Midnight Show Murders, was nominated for a Nero Award.

November 12, 2012: Co-hosted Today's Take

On November 12, 2012, Al Roker began co-hosting the third hour of Today, called Today's Take.

2013: Handshake from Joe Biden

During the 2013 inauguration of Barack Obama, Al Roker received a handshake from Joe Biden.

2013: Published Never Goin' Back

In 2013, Al Roker published Never Goin' Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle For Good, about his battle with weight loss.

Never Goin' Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle For Good

Check it on Amazon

November 12, 2014: Rokerthon Begins

On November 12, 2014, Al Roker started a 34-hour non-stop weather forecast on NBC called "Rokerthon" to benefit the military and USO.

November 14, 2014: Rokerthon Ends

On November 14, 2014, Al Roker ended his "Rokerthon", a 34-hour non-stop weather forecast on NBC, to benefit the military and USO.

November 2014: Rokerthon Fundraiser

In November 2014, Al Roker embarked on a "Rokerthon", which was a fundraiser for the Crowdrise Campaign to benefit the military and USO.

November 13, 2015: Rokerthon 2

On November 13, 2015, Al Roker completed "Rokerthon 2", reporting weather from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. to support Feeding America.

2015: Wake Up with Al Ends

In 2015, Al Roker ended his weekday morning stint on The Weather Channel with Wake Up with Al, which had aired since 2009.

July 2016: "Game On Today" Feature

In July 2016, Al Roker hosted a week-long feature on Today profiling five game shows and their hosts titled "Game On Today".

2016: Been There, Done That Publication

In 2016, Al Roker and his wife Deborah Roberts published the non-fiction book Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times.

Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times

Check it on Amazon

2016: Second Knee Replacement

In 2016, Al Roker had another knee replacement surgery.

February 2017: Today's Take Cancelled

In February 2017, Today's Take, which Al Roker co-hosted, was cancelled for Megyn Kelly Today.

March 31, 2017: Rokerthon 3

On March 31, 2017, Al Roker concluded "Rokerthon 3", visiting colleges and setting a Guinness World Record at each one.

September 22, 2017: Final Episode of Today's Take

September 22, 2017, marked the final episode of Today's Take, which Al Roker co-hosted.

September 5, 2018: Broadway Debut Announcement

On September 5, 2018, it was announced that Al Roker would make his Broadway debut in the musical Waitress.

October 2018: Carpal Tunnel Surgery

In October 2018, Al Roker underwent emergency carpal tunnel surgery.

2018: Returns to co-host 3rd Hour Today

In 2018, Al Roker returned to co-host 3rd Hour Today after Megyn Kelly Today was cancelled.

2018: The Morning Show Murders Movie

In 2018, The Morning Show Murders, co-authored by Al Roker, was made into a movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Loading Video...

September 2019: Hip Replacement Surgery

In September 2019, Al Roker underwent hip replacement surgery.

2019: Limited Run in Waitress

In 2019, Al Roker returned to the Broadway musical Waitress for a limited run from November 1 to 24.

September 2020: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In September 2020, Al Roker was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

November 2020: Revealed Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In November 2020, Al Roker revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2020 and had a successful operation on November 9.

May 2021: Roker Tower Dedication

In May 2021, WKYC in Cleveland named the radar tower on top of their building the "Roker Tower" in honor of Al Roker.

2021: Fist Bump from President Biden

In 2021, as an NBC News reporter at Joe Biden's inauguration, Al Roker received a fist bump from the newly inaugurated president.

November 2022: Hospitalized for Blood Clots

In November 2022, Al Roker was hospitalized and treated for blood clots in his lungs.

2022: Absent from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Coverage

In 2022, Al Roker was unable to host the coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade due to recovering from blood clots.

January 6, 2023: Returns to Today After Health Issues

On January 6, 2023, Al Roker returned to the Today show, revealing he suffered from blood clots in his lungs, internal bleeding, bleeding ulcers, colon resection surgery, and gallbladder removal surgery.