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 show. He also occasionally co-hosts 3rd Hour Today. Roker formerly held the American Meteorological Society's Television Seal of Approval.
August 20, 1954: Al Roker Born
On August 20, 1954, Albert Lincoln Roker Jr., who would become a well-known weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author, was born.
1974: Worked at WHEN-TV
In 1974, Al Roker began working as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, New York.
1976: Left WHEN-TV
In 1976, Al Roker concluded his role as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, New York, upon completion of his studies at SUNY Oswego.
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 his college girlfriend, Mary Puglisi, on the day they graduated from SUNY Oswego.
1983: Returned to New York City
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 after his divorce.
1987: Adopted Daughter Courtney
In 1987, Al Roker and Alice Bell adopted a daughter, Courtney, as an infant.
1990: Filled in for Willard Scott and Bryant Gumbel
From 1990 to 1995, 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 and interviewing celebrities.
January 26, 1996: Received Weekday Weather Slot
On January 26, 1996, Al Roker officially took over the regular weekday weather slot on Today after Scott announced his semi-retirement.
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 for Matt Lauer
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 Surgery
In June 2001, Al Roker underwent a total knee arthroplasty on his left knee.
July 18, 2002: Son Nicholas Born
On July 18, 2002, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts' son Nicholas was born.
2002: Gastric Bypass Surgery
In 2002, Al Roker underwent gastric bypass surgery to lose weight after struggling with numerous diets.
May 22, 2003: Broadway Cameo
On May 22, 2003, Al Roker made a cameo appearance in The Play What I Wrote on Broadway as the Mystery Guest Star.
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 for Meredith Vieira
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.
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.
2009: Wake Up with Al Aired
In 2009, Al Roker started a weekday morning stint on The Weather Channel called Wake Up with Al.
2009: Co-authored Murder Mysteries
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: Published The Midnight Show Murders
In 2010, Al Roker co-authored and published the second book in the series, The Midnight Show Murders, with Dick Lochte.
2011: Nero Award Nomination
In 2011, The Midnight Show Murders, co-authored by Al Roker and Dick Lochte, was nominated for a Nero Award.
November 12, 2012: Co-hosted Today's Take
Beginning November 12, 2012, Al Roker co-hosted the third hour of Today called Today's Take.
2013: Received 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, writing about his battle with weight loss.
November 12, 2014: Rokerthon Began
On November 12, 2014, Al Roker embarked on a "Rokerthon", a non-stop, 34-hour weather forecast on NBC.
November 14, 2014: Rokerthon Ended
The "Rokerthon" concluded on November 14, 2014, after a 34-hour weather forecast on NBC, raising funds for the Crowdrise Campaign to benefit the military and USO.
November 2014: Rokerthon Fundraiser
In November 2014, Al Roker's "Rokerthon" was a fundraiser for the Crowdrise Campaign to benefit the military and USO.
November 13, 2015: Rokerthon 2 Ended
On November 13, 2015, "Rokerthon 2" ended. Al Roker reported weather from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. during the week, in support of Feeding America.
2015: Wake Up with Al Ended
In 2015, Al Roker's weekday morning stint on The Weather Channel, Wake Up with Al, came to an end.
July 2016: Hosted Game 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.
2016: Knee Replacement Surgery
In 2016, Al Roker had another knee replacement surgery.
February 2017: Today's Take Canceled
In February 2017, Today's Take was canceled for Megyn Kelly Today.
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.
September 5, 2018: Broadway Debut Announced
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: The Morning Show Murders Movie
In 2018, The Morning Show Murders, written by Al Roker and Dick Lochte, was made into a movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
2018: Returned to Co-host 3rd Hour Today
In 2018, after Megyn Kelly Today was canceled, Al Roker returned to co-host 3rd Hour Today.
September 2019: Hip Replacement Surgery
In September 2019, Al Roker had hip replacement surgery.
2019: Returned to Waitress
In 2019, Al Roker returned to the Broadway show 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, which he revealed to the public in November 2020.
November 2020: Revealed Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In November 2020, Al Roker revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2020 and had a successful operation on November 9th.
May 2021: WKYC Names Radar Tower in Honor of Al Roker
In May 2021, WKYC in Cleveland named the radar tower on top of their building the "Roker Tower" in honor of Al Roker.
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 Show
On January 6, 2023, Al Roker returned to the Today show, revealing he suffered from blood clots, internal bleeding, ulcers, and underwent colon resection and gallbladder removal surgeries.
December 19, 2023: Broadway Cameo in Gutenberg! The Musical!
On December 19, 2023, Al Roker returned to Broadway for a one night only cameo in Gutenberg! The Musical! as the Producer.
March 2024: Back to the Future: The Musical
In March 2024, Al Roker was in Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway as Strickland.
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