Al Roker has been the weather and feature reporter on NBC News' "Today" since January 1996. Until January of 2000, Roker also served as the weekday weather forecaster for News Channel 4's early evening newscast "Live at 5" on WNBC-TV, NBC's flagship owned and operated station in New York City.New York magazine has twice named Roker Best Weatherman. He came to WNBC-TV as a weekend weathercaster in December 1983 from WKYC-TV, the NBC Television Station in Cleveland. Roker began his broadcasting career while still in college by landing a job as a weekend weatherman WTVH-TV in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1974. After graduation he moved on to weathercasting jobs in Washington, D.C. (1976-1978) and Cleveland, Ohio (1978-1983). He is a recipient of the American Meteorological Society's prestigious Seal of Approval and has been a pioneer in the use of computer graphics for weathercasting.
Among his interview highlights, Roker conducted an exclusive interview with Peanuts creator Charles Shultz shortly before his death from colon cancer. Since 1985, he has served each holiday season in midtown Manhattan as co-host for the annual "Christmas at Rockefeller Center." The seven time Emmy Award winner also co-hosts "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and "Rose Bowl Parade" and appears on various specials for NBC.
In 1994, he founded Al Roker Productions, Inc. The company is involved in the development and production of network, cable, home video and public television projects. Two of the most successful projects include the critically acclaimed special on PBS about severe weather, "Savage Skies," and a highly rated travel series called, "Going Places." His company is also producing a series of specials for The Food Network. Roker is the author of "Don't Make Me Stop This Car! Adventures in Fatherhood," and "Al Roker's Big Bad Book of Barbeque."
Roker is a member of several professional organizations including the Friars Club, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Meteorological Society.
Raised in Queens, New York, Roker received his B.A. in Communications from the State University at Oswego in 1976, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the school in 1998. He resides in Manhattan with his wife, ABC News "20/20" Correspondent, Deborah Roberts, and has two daughters and one son.
Catch Al weekday mornings from 7 - 10 PM on the "Today Show" right here on WKYC, Channel 3.
Courtesy: NBC
