History of Lester Holt in Timeline
Lester Holt is an American news anchor currently leading NBC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News Kids Edition, and Dateline NBC. He took over as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News on June 18, 2015, after Brian Williams' demotion. Notably, Holt is the first Black male solo anchor for a major network evening newscast, following in the path of Max Robinson.
March 8, 1959: Lester Holt's Birth
On March 8, 1959, Lester Don Holt Jr. was born. He is now an American news anchor.
1977: Graduation from Cordova High School
In 1977, Lester Holt graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova.
1981: Hired as Reporter for WCBS-TV
In 1981, Lester Holt was hired as a reporter for WCBS-TV in New York City.
1982: Reporter and Weekend Anchor at KNXT
In 1982, Lester Holt became a reporter and weekend anchor on KNXT in Los Angeles.
1986: Moved to WBBM-TV in Chicago
In 1986, Lester Holt moved to WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he spent 14 years anchoring the evening news and reported from various troubled spots worldwide.
1993: Cameo in "The Fugitive"
In 1993, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film "The Fugitive".
1996: Cameo in "Primal Fear"
In 1996, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film "Primal Fear".
1998: Cameo in "U.S. Marshals"
In 1998, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film "U.S. Marshals".
2005: Anchored Daily Newscast on MSNBC
Until late 2005, Lester Holt anchored a two-hour daily newscast on MSNBC.
2006: Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
In 2006, Lester Holt announced the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.
2007: Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
In 2007, Lester Holt announced the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.
2008: Hosted Mystery of the Crystal Skulls
In 2008, Lester Holt hosted the Sci-Fi Channel documentary "Mystery of the Crystal Skulls."
2009: Stefan Holt Graduated
In 2009, Lester Holt's son, Stefan Holt, graduated from Pepperdine University.
2012: Recalls First On-Air Job
In 2012, Lester Holt recalled that his first on-air job was as a disc jockey at a Country and Western station.
2013: Filled in as Weekday Anchor
In 2013, Lester Holt filled in as weekday anchor when Brian Williams took medical leave.
June 18, 2015: Appointment as NBC Nightly News Anchor
On June 18, 2015, Lester Holt was appointed as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, following Brian Williams' demotion. This made Holt the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast.
2015: Replaced Brian Williams
In 2015, Lester Holt permanently replaced Brian Williams as NBC Nightly News anchor.
2015: Honorary Degree
In 2015, Lester Holt received an honorary degree from California State University, Sacramento.
January 2016: Moderated Democratic Presidential Debate
In January 2016, Lester Holt moderated the Democratic presidential candidates' debate.
September 26, 2016: Moderated First Presidential Debate
On September 26, 2016, Lester Holt moderated the first presidential debate. He was praised for challenging falsehoods.
2016: Moderated Presidential Debate
In 2016, Lester Holt moderated a presidential debate.
2016: Stefan Holt Joined WNBC
In 2016, Stefan Holt joined WNBC, working on the same floor as his father's Nightly News.
May 2017: Interview with President Trump
In May 2017, Lester Holt interviewed President Trump, discussing the firing of FBI director James Comey, which garnered extensive media coverage.
2017: Interviewed President Donald Trump
In 2017, Lester Holt interviewed President Donald Trump.
2018: Registered as Independent
In 2018, Lester Holt changed his party affiliation to independent.
2018: Most Trusted TV News Anchor
In 2018, Lester Holt was ranked as the most trusted TV news anchor in America.
May 31, 2020: Virtual Commencement Speech
On May 31, 2020, Lester Holt delivered a virtual commencement speech for the 254th graduating class of Rutgers University due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Coverage
In 2020, Lester Holt extensively covered the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a spike in ratings.
2020: Honorary Doctorate from Rutgers University
In 2020, Lester Holt received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Rutgers University.
2022: Announced Death of Queen Elizabeth II
In 2022, Lester Holt announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II in an NBC News Special Report.
November 8, 2023: Co-Moderated Third GOP Primary Debate
On November 8, 2023, Lester Holt co-moderated the third GOP Primary Debate with Hugh Hewitt and Kristen Welker, which drew 7.5 million viewers.
2023: Honorary Doctorate from Villanova University
In 2023, Lester Holt received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Villanova University.
