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‘Today’ Show Fixture Signing Off

Dec 11, 2015  •  Post A Comment

An on-air personality who has been a fixture on NBC’s “Today” show is headed out. Willard Scott will retire Tuesday, wrapping up 35 years on “Today” and 65 years with NBC, People reports.

“Today” anchor Matt Lauer made the announcement this morning.

“Scott, 81, ceded weather report duties to Al Roker in the 1990s but still went on air for his famous segment celebrating viewers’ 100th birthdays with Smucker’s jelly. He also played Ronald McDonald in the fast food chain’s commercials throughout the ’60s,” the story reports.

Scott has also been a fixture of NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcasts, and has been a part of three Daytime Emmy wins for Special Class Program for the parade coverage.

Here’s a vintage clip of Scott as the first Ronald McDonald:

4 Comments

  1. Thought he retired years ago…

  2. Willard also was the radio voice of NASA “Space Notes” in the early ’60s. Aired hundreds of his NASA program status reports every Saturday morning.
    A real gentleman within our industry.
    Thanks, Willard

  3. It’s hard to un-see him dressed as Carmen Miranda.

  4. What a disappointment, I was hoping it was Al Roker.

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