Willard Scott biography

Synopsis

Willard Scott served as a DJ and weatherman in Washington, DC, from 1950 to 1972. In 1968, he began reporting the weather for an NBC affiliate in Washington, DC, WRC-TV, where he met his wife, Mary, and in 1980 he began his familiar morning show post. Scott is the author or co-author of seven books and was awarded the Private Sector Award for Public Service from President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

Profile

Television personality. Born on March 7, 1934, in Alexandria, Virginia. Perhaps best-known for the ebullient birthday wishes he extends to centenarians each day on NBC's Today show, Scott began his familiar morning show post in March 1980. Scott started his career with NBC as a page in 1950, after graduating from American University with a B.A. in philosophy and religion. He served as a radio disc jockey and weatherman at various stations in Washington, DC from 1950-1972. In 1968, he began reporting the weather for an NBC affiliate in Washington, DC, WRC-TV, where he met his wife, Mary.

Scott is the author or co-author of seven books, including America Is My Neighborhood (1987) and Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune (2003). He has also distinguished himself with his public-service efforts. He was awarded the Private Sector Award for Public Service from President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

In October 2002, Scott suffered a great loss when his wife Mary died of cancer. They had been married for 43 years and raised two daughters together, Mary and Sally.