History of Al Roker in Timeline

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

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Full Timeline Success & Recognition

August 20, 1954: Al Roker Born

On August 20, 1954, Albert Lincoln Roker Jr. was born. He is an American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author, known for his work on NBC's Today show.

1974: Weather Anchor at WHEN-TV

In 1974, Al Roker started working as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV (now WTVH) in Syracuse, New York, while attending SUNY Oswego.

1976: Left WHEN-TV

In 1976, Al Roker completed his studies and left his position as a weather anchor at WHEN-TV to move to Washington, D.C.

1976: Graduated 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: Married Mary Puglisi

In 1976, Al Roker married Mary Puglisi, his college girlfriend, on the day they graduated from SUNY Oswego.

1978: Hired at WKYC in Cleveland

In 1978, Al Roker's career with NBC began when he was hired at WKYC in Cleveland, which was then an NBC owned-and-operated station.

1983: Returned to New York City and joined WNBC-TV

In late 1983, Al Roker returned to New York City and joined WNBC-TV as a weekend weathercaster, quickly becoming the regular weeknight weathercaster.

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.

1990: Filled in on Today Show

From 1990, Al Roker filled in for Willard Scott and Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show.

September 16, 1995: Married Deborah Roberts

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

1995: Hosted The Al Roker Show

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

1995: Hosted Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Since 1995, Al Roker has hosted NBC's coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, providing commentary along with his Today Show colleagues, acting as the "uptown" host.

January 26, 1996: Received Regular Weekday Weather Slot on Today

On January 26, 1996, Al Roker officially took over the regular weekday weather slot on Today after Willard Scott's semi-retirement. His studio remote forecasts became a staple of the show.

1996: Substitute forecaster on NBC News at Sunrise

From 1983 to 1996, Roker was the regular substitute for forecaster Joe Witte on the NBC News program NBC News at Sunrise.

1996: Hosted Remember This?

From 1996 to 1997, Al Roker hosted a game show on MSNBC called Remember This?

1997: Hosted Remember This?

From 1996 to 1997, Al Roker hosted a game show on MSNBC called Remember This?

1997: Filled in on Today Show

From 1997 through the 2000s, Al Roker filled in for Matt Lauer on the Today Show.

November 17, 1998: Daughter Leila Born

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

June 2001: Underwent Knee Replacement

In June 2001, Al Roker underwent a total knee arthroplasty (replacement, or "TKA") on his left knee.

July 18, 2002: Son Nicholas Born

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 struggling with 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: Underwent Back Operation

In 2005, Al Roker had a back operation.

2005: Reported from inside Hurricane Wilma

In 2005, Al Roker reported from inside Hurricane Wilma, resulting in a viral video of him being swept off his feet by the wind.

2007: Substituted 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.

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2007: Supported 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 National Train Day

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

2008: Hosted Celebrity Family Feud

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

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2009: Wake Up with Al Started

In 2009, Al Roker began hosting Wake Up with Al, a live weekday morning show on The Weather Channel.

2009: Co-Authored Murder Mystery Series

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

November 2010: Ran New York City Marathon

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

2010: The Midnight Show Murders Nomination

In 2010, Al Roker and Dick Lochte released the second book in their series, The Midnight Show Murders, which was nominated for a 2011 Nero Award.

The Midnight Show Murders (The Morning Show Murders Book 2)

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2011: The Midnight Show Murders Nomination

In 2011, The Midnight Show Murders by Al Roker and Dick Lochte, 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.

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2012: Controversy Over 2012 Olympics Logo

In 2012, Al Roker commented on the controversial Olympic logo for the 2012 Olympics in London, noting complaints that it caused epileptic seizures.

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 weight loss journey.

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

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November 12, 2014: Began Rokerthon

On November 12, 2014, Al Roker began a "Rokerthon", doing a non-stop, 34-hour weather forecast on NBC.

November 14, 2014: Finished Rokerthon

On November 14, 2014, Al Roker completed his 34-hour "Rokerthon" on NBC, a fundraiser for the military and USO.

November 2014: Rokerthon Started

In November 2014, Al Roker embarked on a "Rokerthon", in which he did a non-stop, 34-hour weather forecast on NBC, from 10:05 p.m. on November 12, 2014, until about 8:00 a.m. on November 14, 2014.

November 13, 2015: Rokerthon 2

From November 6 to November 13, 2015, Al Roker held a "Rokerthon 2", reporting weather from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in support of Feeding America.

November 23, 2015: Alleged Racial Discrimination

On November 23, 2015, Al Roker alleged racial discrimination after a cab driver reportedly passed him and his son to pick up a white man, leading Roker to question why Uber was more successful.

2015: Wake Up with Al Ended

In 2015, Al Roker's show Wake Up with Al on The Weather Channel ended.

July 2016: Hosted "Game On Today" on Today

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

2016: Published Been There, Done That

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

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2016: Underwent Knee Replacement Surgery

In 2016, Al Roker had another knee replacement surgery.

February 2017: Today's Take Cancelled

In February 2017, Today's Take was cancelled for Megyn Kelly Today.

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March 31, 2017: Rokerthon 3

From March 27 until March 31, 2017, Al Roker embarked on "Rokerthon 3", visiting colleges and setting a Guinness World Record at each one.

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

On September 22, 2017, Today's Take aired its final episode.

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September 5, 2018: Broadway Debut in Waitress Announced

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

October 2018: Underwent Carpal Tunnel Surgery

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

2018: Returned 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 Adaptation

In 2018, The Morning Show Murders, co-authored by Al Roker and Dick Lochte in 2010, was made into a movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

The Morning Show Murders

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September 2019: Had Hip Replacement Surgery

In September 2019, Al Roker underwent hip replacement surgery.

2019: Returned to Waitress

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

September 2020: Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

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

November 2020: Underwent Prostate Cancer Operation

In November 2020, Al Roker revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and underwent 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, who reported on the city's reopening efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Fist Bump from Joe Biden

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

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

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: Returned to Today After Health Issues

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