Al Roker: The Weather Anchor Who Became a “Today” Show Institution
Al Roker has delivered the forecast to American living rooms for so long that he’s become as much a fixture of NBC’s “Today” show as the studio itself. Over three decades in Studio 1A, Roker has weathered hurricanes, parades, and his own serious health scares — all while building one of the most enduring careers in morning television.
Here’s a closer look at his path to “Today,” his career milestones, and his personal life.
Who Is Al Roker?
Albert Lincoln Roker Jr. was born August 20, 1954, in Queens, New York. He is an American television meteorologist, journalist, and author best known as the longtime weather and feature anchor of NBC News’ “Today” show, where he also co-hosts the third hour. He joined “Today” full-time in January 1996 and celebrated his 30th anniversary with the show in January 2026.
A 10-time Emmy Award winner, Roker has also become a familiar face of NBC’s biggest annual broadcasts, regularly hosting coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Parade, and the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Education and Early Career
Roker attended the State University of New York College at Oswego, where he began his broadcasting career in the mid-1970s as a weather anchor at WHEN-TV (now WTVH) in Syracuse, New York, while also working as a DJ at the campus radio station.
After graduating, Roker worked as a weathercaster at WTTG in Washington, D.C., before joining WKYC, an NBC-owned station in Cleveland, in 1978. He later moved to WNBC-TV in New York, where he served as the weekday weather forecaster for the early evening newscast “Live at 5” until January 2000.
Career Timeline
Joining “Today”
Roker began making appearances on “Today” in the 1980s before becoming the show’s full-time weather anchor in January 1996, succeeding Willard Scott. He has remained in the role for three decades, becoming one of the longest-serving personalities in the show’s history and, in recent years, addressing periodic retirement speculation by saying he has no immediate plans to step away.
The Weather Channel
From July 2009 to September 2015, Roker also co-hosted “Wake Up with Al,” a morning program on the Weather Channel, in addition to his ongoing role at “Today.”
3rd Hour of TODAY
Roker also serves as a co-host of the “3rd Hour of TODAY,” NBC’s expanded midday installment of the franchise, alongside rotating colleagues.
Health Journey
Roker has spoken openly and extensively about his health over the years, using his platform to raise awareness around several conditions. In 2002, he underwent gastric bypass surgery as part of a significant weight-loss journey, which he later wrote about in his 2013 book “Never Goin’ Back: Winning the Weight-Loss Battle For Good.”
In November 2020, Roker announced on “Today” that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, caught early through routine screening. He underwent successful surgery days later and has since continued to advocate publicly for prostate cancer screening, particularly among Black men, who face a higher risk of the disease.
In November 2022, Roker was hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs, along with internal bleeding, that his family has said left him fighting for his life. He missed hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years and spent nearly two months away from “Today” before returning to the anchor desk in January 2023. His wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, has since described him as “a living, breathing miracle.”
Books
Roker is a prolific author, having written across genres including memoir, parenting, and even fiction. His books include “Don’t Make Me Stop This Car!” (2000), reflections on fatherhood; “Never Goin’ Back: Winning the Weight-Loss Battle For Good” (2013); and “Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times” (2016), co-written with his wife. He has also co-authored a mystery novel series, including “The Morning Show Murders,” “The Midnight Show Murders,” and “The Talk Show Murders,” with author Dick Lochte.
Personal Life
Roker married ABC News “20/20” co-anchor and correspondent Deborah Roberts in 1995. The couple share two children, daughter Leila, born in 1998, and son Nicholas, born in 2002, and have a home in New York City. Roker also has a daughter, Courtney, from an earlier marriage; Courtney and her husband welcomed Roker’s first grandchild in 2023.
Where Is Al Roker Now?
Al Roker continues to serve as the weather and feature anchor of “Today,” having recently marked 30 years with the show, and remains an active on-air presence covering NBC’s major annual broadcasts, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Al Roker been on the “Today” show? He joined “Today” as full-time weather anchor in January 1996 and celebrated his 30th anniversary with the show in January 2026.
What health issues has Al Roker faced? He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 and successfully treated it with surgery, and in 2022 he was hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs along with internal bleeding.
Who is Al Roker’s wife? He has been married to ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts since 1995. They have two children together, and Roker also has a daughter from an earlier marriage.
Is Al Roker retiring from “Today”? As of early 2026, Roker has said he has no plans to retire, telling People magazine he hasn’t thought about it.
What did Al Roker do before joining “Today”? He worked as a local weathercaster in Syracuse, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland before joining NBC’s New York station, WNBC-TV, and eventually “Today” in 1996.
