Lester Don Holt Jr. is an American journalist and news anchor known for his work on NBC. He currently anchors the weekday edition of NBC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News Kids Edition, and Dateline NBC. Holt made history in 2015 when he became the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, succeeding Brian Williams. This achievement made him the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast, following in the footsteps of ABC News evening co-anchor Max Robinson.
March 8, 1959: Lester Holt's Birth
Lester Don Holt Jr. was born on March 8, 1959. He would go on to become a prominent journalist and news anchor.
1977: Lester Holt Graduates High School
Lester Holt graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova in 1977.
1981: Lester Holt Starts at WCBS-TV
In 1981, Lester Holt began his television career as a reporter for WCBS-TV in New York City.
1982: Lester Holt Moves to KNXT
In 1982, Lester Holt joined KNXT in Los Angeles as a reporter and weekend anchor.
1986: Lester Holt Starts at WBBM-TV
Lester Holt joined WBBM-TV in Chicago in 1986, where he spent 14 years anchoring the evening news and reporting from various locations around the world.
1993: Lester Holt's Cameo Appearance in "The Fugitive"
Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the 1993 film "The Fugitive".
1996: Lester Holt's Cameo in "Primal Fear"
Lester Holt had a cameo appearance in the 1996 film "Primal Fear."
1998: Lester Holt Appears in "U.S. Marshals"
Lester Holt appeared in "U.S. Marshals," the sequel to "The Fugitive," in 1998.
2000: Lester Holt Joins MSNBC
Lester Holt joined MSNBC in 2000.
2005: Lester Holt Anchors on MSNBC
Lester Holt anchored a two-hour daily newscast on MSNBC until late 2005.
2006: Lester Holt Announces Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Lester Holt announced the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.
2007: Lester Holt Announces Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Lester Holt announced the 2007 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.
2008: Lester Holt's Various Projects
In 2008, Lester Holt was involved in a number of projects, including hosting a special for The History Channel about 9/11 conspiracy theories, acting as a sportsdesk reporter for NBC Sports' coverage of the Summer Olympics, and narrating a documentary on the Sci-Fi Channel about crystal skulls.
2008: Lester Holt Announces Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Hosts Documentary
Lester Holt announced the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network. He also hosted the 2008 Sci-Fi Channel documentary "Mystery of the Crystal Skulls."
2009: Stefan Holt Graduates from Pepperdine
Lester Holt's son, Stefan Holt, graduated from Pepperdine University in 2009.
2012: Lester Holt Discusses Early Career
In 2012, Lester Holt revealed to American Profile news magazine that his first on-air job was as a disc jockey at a Country and Western station, a job he held through his college years. He took the position because it offered a full-time gig in exchange for reporting the news.
2013: Lester Holt Fills in for Brian Williams
When Brian Williams went on medical leave in 2013 for knee replacement surgery, Lester Holt filled in as the weekday anchor for NBC Nightly News.
June 18, 2015: Lester Holt Becomes Permanent Anchor of NBC Nightly News
On June 18, 2015, Lester Holt was named the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, succeeding Brian Williams after his demotion. This made him the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast.
2015: Lester Holt Receives Honorary Degree
In 2015, Lester Holt received an honorary degree from California State University, Sacramento, where he had majored in government but did not graduate.
2015: Lester Holt Replaces Brian Williams
Lester Holt permanently replaced Brian Williams as the anchor of NBC Nightly News in 2015, following Williams' suspension for exaggerating a story about the Iraq War.
January 2016: Lester Holt Moderates Democratic Presidential Candidates' Debate
Lester Holt moderated the Democratic presidential candidates' debate in January 2016, working alongside a panel of NBC political reporters.
September 26, 2016: Lester Holt Moderates First Presidential Debate
On September 26, 2016, Lester Holt moderated the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. He faced criticism from Donald Trump beforehand, who called the system unfair and claimed Holt was a Democrat, though Holt was a registered Republican at the time. Despite this, Trump praised Holt's performance afterward. Journalists also lauded Holt's moderation, particularly his fact-checking of Trump's claims about opposing the Iraq War and the constitutionality of stop and frisk in New York.
2016: Lester Holt Moderates Presidential Debate
Lester Holt moderated a presidential debate in 2016.
2016: Lester Holt Moderates First 2016 Presidential Debate
Lester Holt moderated the first presidential debate of 2016. His performance, particularly his fact-checking of false statements, garnered him praise from various sources, including The Washington Post.
2016: Stefan Holt Joins WNBC
Stefan Holt joined WNBC in 2016, working on the same floor as his father's "Nightly News."
May 2017: Lester Holt Interviews President Trump
Lester Holt's interview with President Trump in May 2017, during which they discussed the firing of FBI director James Comey, generated significant media attention.
2017: Lester Holt Interviews President Trump
In 2017, Lester Holt interviewed President Donald Trump, during which he asked tough but fair questions according to fellow journalists. The interview, which covered topics such as the firing of FBI director James Comey, was widely covered by the media.
2018: Lester Holt Ranked Most Trusted TV News Anchor
In 2018, a poll ranked Lester Holt as the most trusted television news anchor in America.
2018: Lester Holt Changes Party Affiliation
Lester Holt changed his party affiliation from Republican to independent in 2018.
May 31, 2020: Lester Holt Delivers Virtual Commencement Speech
On May 31, 2020, Lester Holt delivered a virtual commencement speech for the 254th graduating class of Rutgers University, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Lester Holt's Coverage of COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, Lester Holt extensively covered the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a surge in ratings for evening news programs, including his own. He often concluded his broadcasts with monologues reflecting on the pandemic and its impact. He also delivered a memorable monologue after the January 6 Capitol Attack, condemning both Donald Trump and the spread of disinformation that fueled the event. Since 2020, Holt has ended his broadcasts with the sign-off: "I'm Lester Holt; please take care of yourself, and each other. Good night"
2020: Lester Holt Receives Honorary Doctorate
Lester Holt received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Rutgers University in 2020.
2022: Lester Holt Announces Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Lester Holt announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II in an NBC News Special Report in 2022.
November 8, 2023: Lester Holt Co-Moderates GOP Primary Debate
Lester Holt co-moderated the third GOP Primary Debate with Hugh Hewitt and Kristen Welker on November 8, 2023. The debate attracted 7.5 million viewers.
2023: Lester Holt Receives Honorary Doctorate from Villanova
Lester Holt received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Villanova University in 2023.