History of Matt Lauer in Timeline
Matt Lauer is a former American television news personality widely recognized for his tenure at NBC News. He initially gained local prominence as a news anchor in New York City on WNBC before rising to national prominence as the news anchor for The Today Show from 1994 to 1997. He transitioned to the role of co-host on The Today Show from 1997 to 2017, becoming a familiar face to viewers. Lauer's contributions to NBC extended beyond The Today Show, as he regularly contributed to the news magazine Dateline NBC. His prominent roles included hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and co-hosting the opening ceremonies of multiple Olympic Games.
December 30, 1957: Matt Lauer is Born
On December 30, 1957, Matt Lauer, American television news personality, was born.
1979: Lauer Begins Television Career
Matt Lauer's television career began in 1979 when he was hired as a producer for the noon newscast for WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia.
1980: Lauer Becomes On-Air Reporter
Matt Lauer became an on-air reporter for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts at WOWK-TV in 1980.
1980: Lauer Co-Hosts PM Magazine in Richmond
Matt Lauer began co-hosting PM Magazine in Richmond in 1980.
1981: Lauer Moves to Providence to Host PM Magazine
Matt Lauer relocated to Providence in 1981 to continue co-hosting PM Magazine.
1982: Lauer's First Marriage to Nancy Alspaugh
Matt Lauer was married to television producer Nancy Alspaugh from 1982 to 1989.
1984: Lauer Co-Hosts PM Magazine in New York City
In 1984, Matt Lauer began co-hosting PM Magazine in New York City.
1986: PM Magazine Cancelled, Lauer and Rappaport Work on New Show
After PM Magazine was cancelled in 1986, Matt Lauer and his co-host, Jill Rappaport, worked on a new show for the station, Made in New York, which ran for 15 weeks.
1987: Lauer Returns to Local Television
Matt Lauer returned to local television in 1987, hosting programs in Philadelphia and Boston. During this time, he also reported for ESPN and anchored entertainment news segments for HBO.
September 1989: Lauer Returns to New York City, Hosts 9 Broadcast Plaza
Matt Lauer returned to New York City in September 1989 to host 9 Broadcast Plaza on WWOR-TV.
1989: Lauer's Divorce from Nancy Alspaugh
Matt Lauer and Nancy Alspaugh divorced in 1989.
1989: Lauer's Stint in Philadelphia and Boston Ends
Matt Lauer's time hosting programs in Philadelphia and Boston came to an end in 1989.
1990: Lauer Hosts Day in Court Pilot, Films Pilot for WBF BodyStars
Matt Lauer was hired to host a pilot called Day in Court, which was later retitled Trial Watch. He also filmed a pilot for the World Wrestling Federation's bodybuilding spinoff, WBF BodyStars, though he was not ultimately selected to host the show.
1991: Lauer Co-Hosts Etc., Etc.
Matt Lauer co-hosted Etc., Etc., a show on the Travel Channel with Willow Bay, in 1991.
1992: Lauer Fills in on Various NBC News Programs
Between 1992 and 1997, Matt Lauer served as a substitute host on a number of NBC News programs, including Weekend Today and NBC News at Sunrise. He also filled in for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News.
1992: Lauer Fills in as Newsreader on The Today Show
From 1992 to 1993, Matt Lauer filled in as the newsreader on The Today Show for Margaret Larson when needed.
1992: Lauer Joins NBC, Co-Anchors Today in New York
Matt Lauer joined NBC in 1992 and became co-anchor of the early weekday news show Today in New York.
1993: Lauer Continues to Fill in on The Today Show
Matt Lauer's role as a fill-in newsreader on The Today Show continued into 1993.
January 1994: Lauer Joins The Today Show as News Anchor
Matt Lauer officially joined The Today Show as a news anchor in January 1994.
1994: Lauer Joins The Today Show
In 1994, Matt Lauer became a full-time news anchor on The Today Show, while continuing his roles at Today in New York and Live at Five.
1994: Lauer Becomes Permanent Co-Anchor of Live at Five
Matt Lauer became the permanent co-anchor of Live at Five with Sue Simmons in 1994.
1996: Lauer's Time on Live at Five Ends
In 1996, Matt Lauer's time as co-anchor on Live at Five concluded.
January 6, 1997: Lauer Named Official Co-Anchor of The Today Show
Matt Lauer was named the official co-anchor of The Today Show on January 6, 1997.
July 1997: Lauer Meets Annette Roque
Matt Lauer met his future wife, Annette Roque, on a blind date in July 1997.
1997: Lauer Graduates from Ohio University
In 1997, Matt Lauer finally earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University after previously dropping out.
1997: Lauer Graduates from Ohio University, Becomes Co-Host of The Today Show
Matt Lauer graduated from Ohio University with his undergraduate degree at the age of 39. Lauer also became the official co-anchor of The Today Show on January 6, 1997, following Bryant Gumbel's departure.
October 3, 1998: Lauer Marries Annette Roque
Matt Lauer married Dutch model Annette Roque on October 3, 1998, in Bridgehampton, New York.
1998: "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" Premieres
In 1998, Matt Lauer's segment "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" premiered on The Today Show.
1998: Lauer Begins Co-Hosting Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Matt Lauer began co-hosting NBC's live coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1998.
June 2000: Addie Zinone Alleges Abuse of Power by Lauer
In June 2000, Addie Zinone, a former "Today" production assistant, alleged that she had a consensual but inappropriate relationship with Matt Lauer, describing it as an "abuse of power."
2000: Katie Couric Begins Co-Hosting Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Katie Couric began co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in 2000.
2000: Additional Cases of Misconduct Surface
NBC acknowledged three additional cases of misconduct by Matt Lauer between 2000 and 2007.
June 2005: Lauer's Interview with Tom Cruise
In June 2005, Matt Lauer's interview with Tom Cruise became heated when the two argued about psychiatry and postpartum depression. Cruise called Lauer "glib."
November 2006: Lauer Hosts "Sesame Beginnings" and "The Greatest American"
In November 2006, Matt Lauer hosted the "Sesame Street" DVD "Sesame Beginnings: Exploring Together" with his daughter, Romy, and "The Greatest American" on the Discovery Channel.
2006: Roque Files for Divorce, Then Reconciles with Lauer
Annette Roque filed for divorce from Matt Lauer in 2006, citing mental and emotional distress, but they reconciled weeks later.
2006: Lauer Appears on "Will & Grace"
Matt Lauer made a guest appearance as himself on a live episode of "Will & Grace" in early 2006.
June 19, 2007: Lauer Interviews Prince William and Prince Harry
Matt Lauer interviewed Prince William and Prince Harry on June 19, 2007, for the tenth anniversary of their mother, Princess Diana's death.
2007: Additional Cases of Misconduct Surface
NBC acknowledged three additional cases of misconduct by Matt Lauer between 2000 and 2007.
December 2008: Cruise Expresses Regret Over 2005 Lauer Interview
In December 2008, Tom Cruise admitted to regretting his heated exchange with Matt Lauer during a 2005 interview.
2008: Lauer Co-Hosts Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Matt Lauer began co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in 2008.
2008: Lauer Roasted at New York Friars Club
Matt Lauer was the subject of a roast by the New York Friars Club in 2008, where jokes were made about his reputation for relationships with staff.
June 3, 2009: Lauer Speaks at Harvard's Commencement Ceremony
Matt Lauer served as the Class Day speaker at Harvard University's undergraduate commencement ceremonies on June 3, 2009.
2009: Lauer Appears in "Land of the Lost"
Matt Lauer appeared as himself in the film "Land of the Lost."
2010: Melissa Lonner Accuses Lauer of Indecent Exposure
According to Ronan Farrow's book, Melissa Lonner claimed that Matt Lauer exposed himself to her at an NBC cocktail party in 2010.
2010: Lauer Co-Hosts Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in 2010.
2011: Lauer in "The Beaver" and "Curious George 2"
Matt Lauer appeared in the films "The Beaver" and "Drew Peterson: Untouchable" and voiced a character in "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!"
2011: "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" Postponed
NBC News postponed Matt Lauer's segment, "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" in 2011 due to concerns about the struggling US Economy.
April 5, 2012: Lauer Signs Contract with NBC Through 2017
On April 5, 2012, Matt Lauer signed a new contract with NBC News that would last through 2017.
2012: Lauer Co-Hosts Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies, Receives Criticism
Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics with Meredith Vieira and Bob Costas. Their commentary was met with criticism, being described as "ignorant" and "banal."
2014: Brooke Nevils Alleges Sexual Assault by Lauer
In "Catch and Kill," Brooke Nevils accused Matt Lauer of anally raping her during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
2014: Lauer Co-Hosts Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
2014: Lauer Responds to Allegations, Admitting to Relationship with Nevils
Matt Lauer issued an open letter acknowledging a consensual relationship with Brooke Nevils that began in 2014 in Sochi but denied her allegation of sexual assault.
2014: Lauer Replaces Bob Costas as Prime-Time Host During Olympics
Matt Lauer temporarily replaced Bob Costas as prime-time host during the 2014 Winter Olympics when Costas suffered a major eye infection.
November 2015: Lauer's Interview with Charlie Sheen
Matt Lauer hosted an interview with Charlie Sheen in November 2015 during which Sheen revealed that he was HIV positive.
2015: Archival Footage of Lauer Used in "Straight Outta Compton"
Archival footage of Matt Lauer was featured in the film "Straight Outta Compton."
September 8, 2016: Lauer's Presidential Candidate Interviews Draw Criticism
On September 8, 2016, Matt Lauer conducted separate interviews with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which were poorly received due to his focus on Clinton's email server and failure to challenge Trump's statements.
November 30, 2016: Lauer Signs Contract Extension with NBC
On November 30, 2016, Matt Lauer signed a new contract with NBC, extending his tenure with the network.
2016: Lauer Co-Hosts Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
January 6, 2017: Lauer Celebrates 20 Years on "The Today Show"
On January 6, 2017, Matt Lauer marked his 20th anniversary on "The Today Show" with a retrospective of his time on the program.
November 2017: Lauer Fired from NBC for Sexual Misconduct Allegations
In November 2017, Matt Lauer was fired from NBC after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.
November 28, 2017: Lauer's Final Day on Air
November 28, 2017, marked Matt Lauer's last appearance on air for NBC.
November 29, 2017: NBC Terminates Lauer's Employment Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Matt Lauer was fired by NBC News on November 29, 2017, following a detailed complaint of sexual harassment from a female colleague during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
2017: Lauer's Contract Terminated by NBC
After working with them for many years, Matt Lauer's contract was terminated by NBC in 2017 following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
2017: Lauer's Time Co-Hosting Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Ends
In 2017, Matt Lauer's time as co-host of NBC's live coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ended.
2017: Lauer and Roque Separate
Matt Lauer and Annette Roque separated in 2017 following sexual harassment allegations against him.
2017: Lauer in "Lady Bird," "I, Tonya," "Sharknado" Films
Matt Lauer's archival footage appeared in the films "Lady Bird" and "I, Tonya." He also appeared as himself in "Sharknado 2: The Second One" and "Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!"
2017: Lauer's Contract Set to Expire
Matt Lauer's contract with NBC was set to expire in 2017.
2018: End of Lauer's Contract with NBC
Matt Lauer's contract with NBC was set to expire in 2018.
September 7, 2019: Lauer and Roque Divorce
Matt Lauer and Annette Roque officially divorced on September 7, 2019, after nearly two years of separation following his sexual harassment allegations.
2019: Ronan Farrow's Book Reveals More About Lauer Allegations
Ronan Farrow's 2019 book "Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators" alleged that NBC News had prior knowledge of Matt Lauer's misconduct.
