History of Lester Holt in Timeline

Lester Holt is an American news anchor, currently anchoring 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 newscast, following in the path of Max Robinson, an ABC News evening co-anchor.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

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 reporting from various locations around the world.

1993: Cameo in The Fugitive

In 1993, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film The Fugitive.

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1996: Cameo in Primal Fear

In 1996, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film Primal Fear.

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1998: Cameo in U.S. Marshals

In 1998, Lester Holt made a cameo appearance in the film U.S. Marshals.

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2000: Joined MSNBC

In 2000, Lester Holt joined MSNBC.

2003: Full-time Duties at NBC News

In 2003, Lester Holt assumed full-time duties at NBC News, becoming a substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News and Today.

2006: Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

In 2006, Lester Holt announced the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.

May 9, 2007: Anchor of Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News

On May 9, 2007, Lester Holt was named anchor of the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News.

2007: Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

In 2007, Lester Holt announced the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network.

2008: Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

In 2008, Lester Holt announced the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the USA Network and hosted the Sci-Fi Channel documentary Mystery of the Crystal Skulls.

2008: Hosted a Special for The History Channel

In 2008, Lester Holt hosted a special for The History Channel about the 9/11 conspiracy theories and served as a sportsdesk reporter for NBC Sports coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics. He also narrated a documentary regarding actual crystal skulls on the Sci-Fi Channel.

2013: Filled in as Weekday Anchor

In 2013, Lester Holt filled in as weekday anchor of NBC Nightly News when Brian Williams took medical leave.

June 18, 2015: Permanent Anchor of NBC Nightly News

On June 18, 2015, Lester Holt was appointed as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, following Brian Williams' demotion, making him the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast.

2015: Replaced Brian Williams as Anchor

In 2015, Lester Holt permanently replaced Brian Williams as the anchor of NBC Nightly News after Williams was suspended.

2015: Honorary Degree

In 2015, Lester Holt received an honorary degree from California State University, Sacramento.

January 2016: Moderated Democratic Presidential Candidates' Debate

In January 2016, Lester Holt moderated the Democratic presidential candidates' debate alongside NBC political reporters.

September 26, 2016: Moderated First Presidential Debate

On September 26, 2016, Lester Holt moderated the first presidential debate. Donald Trump said Holt did "a good job".

2016: Moderated a Presidential Debate

In 2016, Lester Holt moderated a presidential debate.

2016: Moderated First Presidential Debate of 2016

In 2016, Lester Holt moderated the first presidential debate. He received mixed reviews for fact-checking candidates' false statements but struggled with time management and maintaining control of the debate.

2016: Stefan Holt joined WNBC

In 2016, Stefan Holt joined WNBC, working on the same floor as his father's Nightly News, and eventually succeeded Chuck Scarborough as anchor of the station's 11 p.m. news broadcast.

May 2017: Interviewed President Trump

In May 2017, Lester Holt interviewed President Trump, and they discussed Trump's firing of FBI director James Comey. This interview led to extensive media coverage.

2017: Interviewed President Donald Trump

In 2017, Lester Holt interviewed President Donald Trump, asking tough but appropriate questions.

2018: Changed Party Affiliation to Independent

In 2018, Lester Holt changed his party affiliation to independent.

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 and Monologues

In 2020, Lester Holt extensively covered the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a spike in ratings. He also delivered monologues reflecting on the pandemic and its impact, as well as after the January 6 Capitol Attack, criticizing Trump.

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.

October 2023: Covered 2023 Hamas attack on Israel

In October 2023, Lester Holt traveled to Israel to cover the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, and the ongoing Gaza war.

November 8, 2023: Co-moderated third GOP Primary Debate

On November 8, 2023, Lester Holt co-moderated the third GOP Primary Debate, alongside Hugh Hewitt and Kristen Welker. The debate 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.

February 24, 2025: Departure from NBC Nightly News Announced

On February 24, 2025, it was announced that Lester Holt would be leaving NBC Nightly News in the summer of 2025 after ten years as host. He would become the full-time host of NBC news magazine Dateline following his departure.