Willard Scott, who was a weather forecaster for NBC's "Today", for more than 30 years and spent 65-years at NBC, has passed away, Al Roker announced in an Instagram post.
"We lost a dear member of our @todayshowfamily this morning. Willard Scott, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, which included his daughters Mary and Sally, and his wife Paris." Roker captioned a series heartwarming photos featuring Scott and Roker.
Roker later called Scott his "second father" and said Scott’s "generous spirit” helped him get to where he is today.
"Willard was the greatest broadcaster of all time, a man who lived up to his age," Roker said. Roker stated that there will never be another like him.
Scott was born in Alexandria, Virginia on March 7, 1934. He joined "Today" as a reporter in 1980. Scott is well-known for his wish to 100 happy birthdays. Scott began his career with NBC as a Page Program intern. This program provides media industry exposure and learning. According to Today, he worked at the Washington D.C. affiliate station in 1950.
Scott was appointed host of Joy Boys, a radio program on NBC station WRC in 1955. Scott remained with the show until 1974.
He hosted children's TV shows in the 1960s and also appeared on WRC as a variety of characters including Bozo, the Clown. According to Today, he was the first to portray Ronald McDonald's and he also appeared as the clown in D.C. area ads.
Scott was a forecaster at NBC's local channel 4, and in March 1980 he succeeded Bob Ryan as Today's weatherman.
Scott brought his outrageous personality to Today, dressing up as Boy George, a huge Cupid and Brazilian singer/actress Carmen Miranda. Scott spoke out about the controversy surrounding dressing up as Chica Chica Boom Chica singer in a 1987 New York Times interview.
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It was said that I was a buffoon to do it. My entire life, I've been a buffoon. He said that this was my act.
Scott retired in 1996, but was replaced by Al Roker on Today. However, there were occasions when he would substitute for Roker. After 35 years of service as a Today forecaster, he officially left television in 2015. He surprised Roker on his 65th birthday in 2019 by appearing in a video alongside other Today cast members.
Scott's achievements on the small screen earned him the Private Sector Award for Public Service from President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
Scott is survived his wife Paris Keena (who he married in 2014 after the death of Mary Dwyer Scott) and his two children.
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