History of Al Roker in Timeline
Al Roker is a well-known American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author. He is best recognized as the weather anchor on NBC's Today show and also occasionally co-hosts 3rd Hour Today. He formerly held the American Meteorological Society Television Seal.
August 20, 1954: Al Roker Born
On August 20, 1954, Albert Lincoln Roker Jr., known as Al Roker, was born. He would become an American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author.
1974: Worked at WHEN-TV
In 1974, Al Roker began working as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, New York, while still a student at SUNY Oswego.
1976: Graduated from SUNY Oswego
In 1976, Al Roker graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego with a B.A. in communications.
1976: Left WHEN-TV
In 1976, Al Roker left WHEN-TV (now WTVH) after completing his studies at SUNY Oswego and moved to Washington, D.C.
1983: Returned to New York City
In late 1983, Al Roker returned to New York City to work at WNBC-TV as a weekend 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 daughter Courtney as an infant.
1990: Filled in on the Today Show
From 1990 to 1995, Al Roker occasionally 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.
January 26, 1996: Received Weekday Weather Slot
On January 26, 1996, Al Roker received the regular weekday weather slot on Today after Willard Scott's 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 on the Today Show
From 1997 through the 2000s, Al Roker occasionally 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 7, 2001: Underwent Knee Replacement
On Thursday, June 7, 2001, Al Roker underwent a total knee arthroplasty (replacement) 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 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.
2005: Reported from Hurricane Wilma
In 2005, Al Roker reported from inside Hurricane Wilma, resulting in a viral video of him being swept off his feet.
2007: Millionaire Substitute
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 joined their celebrity board.
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.
2009: Hosted Wake Up with Al
From 2009 until 2015, Al Roker hosted "Wake Up with Al" 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 7, 2010: Ran NYC Marathon
On November 7, 2010, Al Roker ran in the ING New York City Marathon.
2010: Authored The Midnight Show Murders
In 2010, Al Roker co-authored "The Midnight Show Murders", the second book in the Billy Blessing series.
2011: Midnight Show Murders Nominated 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
Beginning November 12, 2012, Al Roker co-hosted the third hour of Today called Today's Take.
2012: Controversial Olympic Logo
In 2012, Al Roker commented on the controversial Olympic logo for the 2012 Olympics in London.
2013: Received Handshake from Joe Biden
During the 2013 inauguration of Barack Obama, Al Roker received a handshake from Joe Biden.
2013: Published Weight Loss Battle Book
In 2013, Al Roker published "Never Goin' Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle For Good" about his weight loss journey.
November 12, 2014: Began Rokerthon
On November 12, 2014, Al Roker began a 34-hour non-stop weather forecast on NBC called "Rokerthon."
November 14, 2014: Ended Rokerthon
On November 14, 2014, Al Roker ended his 34-hour non-stop weather forecast on NBC called "Rokerthon."
November 2014: Rokerthon Fundraiser
In November 2014, Al Roker's Rokerthon event was a fundraiser for the Crowdrise Campaign to benefit the military and USO.
November 13, 2015: Concluded Rokerthon 2
On November 13, 2015, Al Roker concluded "Rokerthon 2", which involved 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 filed a complaint alleging racial discrimination after a cab driver passed him and his son to pick up a white man.
2015: Wake Up with Al Ended
From 2009 until 2015, Al Roker hosted "Wake Up with Al" on The Weather Channel.
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 Family Wisdom Book
In 2016, Al Roker and his wife Deborah Roberts published the non-fiction book "Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times".
2016: Second Knee Replacement Surgery
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
On September 22, 2017, Today's Take aired its final episode.
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: The Morning Show Murders Movie
In 2018, Al Roker's book "The Morning Show Murders", published in 2010, 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 cancelled, 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 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.
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 10, 2021: WKYC Names Radar Tower After Roker
On May 10, 2021, WKYC in Cleveland named their radar tower the "Roker Tower" in honor of Al Roker.
2021: Received Fist Bump from Joe Biden
During Joe Biden's 2021 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
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 after being hospitalized for blood clots and undergoing multiple surgeries.
December 2023: Cameo in Gutenberg! The Musical!
On 19 December 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 on Broadway
On 28 March 2024, Roker was in Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway as Strickland.
