History of Matt Lauer in Timeline

Matt Lauer is a former American television news personality, prominently known for his long tenure as co-anchor of NBC's Today show from 1997 to 2017. Prior to that, he served as the news anchor for Today from 1994 to 1997 after working in local news in New York City. Lauer also frequently contributed to Dateline NBC and hosted events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Olympic Games opening ceremonies during his time with NBC.

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

December 30, 1957: Matthew Lauer Born

On December 30, 1957, Matthew Todd Lauer was born. He later became a well-known television news personality.

1979: Started Television Career

In the spring of 1979, Matt Lauer dropped out of Ohio University and began his television career as a producer for WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia.

1980: On-Air Reporter at WOWK-TV

By 1980, Matt Lauer had become an on-air reporter for WOWK-TV's 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.

1980: Co-host of PM Magazine in Richmond

In 1980, Matt Lauer began his role as a co-host of PM Magazine in Richmond.

1981: Co-host of PM Magazine in Providence

In 1981, Matt Lauer became a co-host of PM Magazine in Providence.

1982: Marriage to Nancy Alspaugh

In 1982, Matt Lauer married television producer Nancy Alspaugh.

1984: Co-host of PM Magazine in New York City

In 1984, Matt Lauer became a co-host of PM Magazine in New York City.

1986: Cancellation of PM Magazine and "Made in New York"

In 1986, WNYW canceled the New York edition of PM Magazine. Matt Lauer and Jill Rappaport then worked on a new show for the station, Made in New York, which ran for fifteen weeks.

1987: Hosted Programs in Philadelphia and Boston

Between 1987 and 1989, Matt Lauer hosted programs in Philadelphia and Boston.

1988: Host of Cinemax Interstitial Show

In 1988, Matt Lauer became the original primary host of Cinemax's interstitial show, Beyond the Screen.

September 1989: Joins WWOR and hosts "9 Broadcast Plaza"

In September 1989, Matt Lauer returned to New York City to WWOR, where he hosted "9 Broadcast Plaza," a live interview program.

1989: Reported for ESPN and Anchored Entertainment News for HBO

Between 1987 and 1989, Matt Lauer reported for ESPN and anchored entertainment news segments for HBO.

1989: Divorce from Nancy Alspaugh

In 1989, Matt Lauer and television producer Nancy Alspaugh divorced.

1990: Hosted Pilot "Day in Court"

In 1990, Matt Lauer hosted a pilot called Day in Court, produced by David Sams.

1991: Co-host of "Etc., Etc."

In 1991, Matt Lauer co-hosted "Etc., Etc." on the Travel Channel with Willow Bay.

1992: Filled 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.

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1992: Filled in as co-host of Weekend Today

From 1992 to 1997, Matt Lauer filled in as the co-host of Weekend Today.

1992: Co-anchor of "Today in New York"

In 1992, Matt Lauer joined NBC as co-anchor of the early weekday news show "Today in New York" on WNBC.

1993: Filled 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.

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January 1994: Joins The Today Show full-time

In January 1994, Matt Lauer joined The Today Show full-time as a news anchor while still co-anchoring Today in New York and Live at Five.

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1994: Co-anchor of "Live at Five"

In 1994, Matt Lauer became the co-anchor of "Live at Five" with Sue Simmons, replacing the morning shift.

1994: News Anchor for NBC's Today

In 1994, Matt Lauer gained national exposure as the news anchor for NBC's Today show.

1996: Remained on Live at Five

In 1996, Matt Lauer remained on Live at Five.

January 6, 1997: Official Co-Anchor of the Today Show

On January 6, 1997, Matt Lauer was named the official co-anchor of the Today Show, after Bryant Gumbel stepped down.

July 1997: Meeting Annette Roque

In July 1997, Matt Lauer met Dutch model Annette Roque on a blind date.

1997: Co-Anchor of Today

In 1997, Matt Lauer became the co-anchor of Today, transitioning from the news desk to the host's chair.

1997: Beyond the Screen ended

In 1997, Matt Lauer ceased to be the host of Cinemax's interstitial show, Beyond the Screen.

1997: Graduation from Ohio University

In 1997, at the age of 39, Matt Lauer earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University, where he had studied at the Scripps College of Communication.

October 3, 1998: Marriage to Annette Roque

On October 3, 1998, Matt Lauer married Dutch model Annette Roque in Bridgehampton, New York.

1998: Co-hosted Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

From 1998 until 2017, Matt Lauer co-hosted NBC's live coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

1998: Began "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"

In 1998, Matt Lauer began the annual "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" segment on the Today Show.

June 2000: Addie Zinone's Accusation

In June 2000, former Today production assistant Addie Zinone claimed that she had a consensual sexual relationship with Matt Lauer, characterizing it as an "abuse of power".

2000: Additional cases from 2000 to 2007

NBC acknowledged three additional cases from 2000 to 2007.

June 2005: Interview with Tom Cruise

In June 2005, Matt Lauer interviewed Tom Cruise, during which they argued about psychiatry and postpartum depression.

November 2006: Hosting Sesame Street and The Greatest American

In November 2006, Matt Lauer co-hosted "Sesame Beginnings: Exploring Together" and hosted "The Greatest American" on the Discovery Channel.

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2006: Roque Files for Divorce (Then Reconciles)

In 2006, Annette Roque, while pregnant, filed for divorce from Matt Lauer alleging mental abuse, but they reconciled weeks later.

2006: Guest Appearance on Will & Grace

In early 2006, Matt Lauer made a guest appearance as himself on a live episode of "Will & Grace".

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June 19, 2007: Interview with Prince William and Prince Harry

On June 19, 2007, Matt Lauer interviewed Prince William and Prince Harry on the tenth anniversary of their mother's death.

2007: Additional cases from 2000 to 2007

NBC acknowledged three additional cases from 2000 to 2007.

December 2008: Cruise Regretted Exchange

In December 2008, Tom Cruise said he regretted the exchange with Matt Lauer during the June 2005 interview.

2008: Co-hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2008, Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics.

2008: Subject of Friars Club Roast

In 2008, Matt Lauer was the subject of a roast by the New York Friars Club, where jokes were made about his reputation for relationships with staff.

June 3, 2009: Harvard Class Day Speaker

On June 3, 2009, Matt Lauer served as the Class Day speaker at Harvard University's undergraduate commencement ceremonies.

2009: Appearance in Land of the Lost

In 2009, Matt Lauer appeared as himself in the film "Land of the Lost".

2010: Co-hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2010, Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

2010: Melissa Lonner's Claim

In 2010, Today show booker Melissa Lonner claimed that Matt Lauer exposed himself to her at an NBC cocktail party, which Lauer denied.

2011: Film Appearances

In 2011, Matt Lauer appeared in the film "The Beaver", voiced Hark Hanson in "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!", and appeared in "Drew Peterson: Untouchable" and "Tower Heist".

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2011: Postponed "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"

In 2011, NBC News postponed the "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" segment due to the unstable U.S. economy.

April 5, 2012: Signed new contract with NBC News

On April 5, 2012, Matt Lauer announced that he had signed a new contract with NBC News through 2017, reportedly earning $25 million a year.

2012: Co-hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2012, Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics. His commentary received criticism.

2014: Replaced Bob Costas at Winter Olympics

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, Matt Lauer replaced prime-time host Bob Costas from February 11–14 due to Costas's eye infection.

2014: Relationship with Brooke Nevils

Following Nevils' allegation of sexual assault in Farrow's book, Lauer issued an open letter confirming he had a consensual sexual relationship with Nevils that started in 2014 in Sochi, but denied the initial encounter was non-consensual.

2014: Alleged assault in Sochi

In "Catch and Kill", Farrow reveals one of the alleged victims as Brooke Nevils, who says Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room while the two were in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics for NBC.

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

Check it on Amazon

2014: Co-hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2014, Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

2014: Harassment during 2014 Winter Olympics

On November 29, 2017, NBC News announced that Matt Lauer's employment had been terminated after a complaint of sexual harassment during the 2014 Winter Olympics and after.

November 2015: Interview with Charlie Sheen

In November 2015, Matt Lauer hosted an interview with Charlie Sheen, during which Sheen revealed that he was HIV-positive.

2015: Appearance in Straight Outta Compton

In 2015, archival footage of Matt Lauer was shown in the film "Straight Outta Compton".

September 8, 2016: Interviews with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

On September 8, 2016, Matt Lauer conducted separate interviews with presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which were met with criticism.

November 30, 2016: New contract signed

On November 30, 2016, it was revealed that Matt Lauer had signed a new contract up to 2018, with a salary of $20 million per year.

2016: Co-hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

In 2016, Matt Lauer co-hosted the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics.

January 6, 2017: 20th Anniversary on The Today Show

On January 6, 2017, Matt Lauer celebrated his 20th anniversary on The Today Show.

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November 2017: Contract Termination by NBC

In November 2017, NBC terminated Matt Lauer's contract after receiving a complaint about inappropriate sexual behavior, indicating it might not have been an isolated incident.

November 28, 2017: Last Day on Air

November 28, 2017, was Matt Lauer's last day on air before being terminated.

November 29, 2017: Termination by NBC News

On November 29, 2017, NBC News announced that Matt Lauer's employment had been terminated after a complaint of sexual harassment during the 2014 Winter Olympics and after.

2017: Co-hosted Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

From 1998 until 2017, Matt Lauer co-hosted NBC's live coverage of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2017: Sexual Harassment Allegations

In 2017, Matt Lauer faced sexual harassment allegations, leading to separation from his wife Annette Roque.

2017: Departure from Today

In 2017, Matt Lauer's tenure as co-anchor of Today ended.

2017: Appearance in Lady Bird and I, Tonya

In 2017, archival footage of Matt Lauer appeared in the films "Lady Bird" and "I, Tonya".

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2017: New contract end date with NBC News

On April 5, 2012, Matt Lauer announced that he had signed a new contract with NBC News through 2017, reportedly earning $25 million a year.

2018: New contract end date

Matt Lauer had a new contract up to 2018, with a salary of $20 million per year.

September 7, 2019: Divorce from Annette Roque

On September 7, 2019, Matt Lauer and Annette Roque officially divorced following a separation after sexual harassment allegations in 2017.

2019: "Catch and Kill" Publication

In the 2019 book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, Ronan Farrow cited multiple sources who stated that NBC News was aware of Lauer's misconduct beforehand.

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

Check it on Amazon