How Long Has Al Roker Been on the TODAY Show?
Roker has been bringing us the weather for nearly 30 years.
Beloved weatherman Al Roker has been an integral part of TODAY for over two decades. With his warm energy and upbeat attitude, there's no denying that he brings everyone together during the historic morning talk show.
But how long has Al Roker been on TODAY, exactly? Keep reading for all the details.
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How long has Al Roker been on the TODAY show?
Al Roker's first day on TODAY was January 26, 1996, meaning he has been with the show for a whopping 28 years.
Originally from New York City, his career with NBC began in 1978 in Cleveland, where he worked for the station WKYC. Five years later, he decided to return to the Big Apple for his family, and things could not have worked out better for him.
''Six months after I got there, Frank Field, who was the preeminent weatherman in not just New York City, but probably the country, decided to go over to Channel 2, so I got the Monday through Friday job. If I had not been in position to get that job doing the weekend weather with NBC, I don't know where I'd be today,'' Roker told Business Insider in 2020.
Al Roker celebrates 45 years with NBC
December 2023 marked Roker's milestone 45th anniversary with NBC. To celebrate, co-Hosts Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Sheinelle Jones all honored the veteran meteorologist in a special episode.
“You know, Roker, you’re like the first person most of us met when we came here, and you always made every new person feel included and loved,” Kotb said.
''I really am very fortunate. Nobody gets to be somewhere without friends and people who help you,'' Roker said with gratitude. ''It's been a good group of people to work with.''
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Al Roker returns to TODAY after a hiatus
In November 2022, Roker was hospitalized for having blood clots that required life-saving surgery. After recovering, he made a much-anticipated return to TODAY in January 2023.
''To say we have missed you doesn't even begin to describe it. It is nothing without you here,'' Guthrie said while giving Roker a big hug.
''I have missed you guys so very much. You are my second family. And it's just great to be back...and wearing pants,'' Roker said to a beaming Kotb and Guthrie.
