Scott began his 65-year-career with NBC as a page at an affiliate station in Washington, D.C. in 1950 after graduating from American University. Five years later, he began hosting the radio show called “Joy Boys” on the NBC radio station WRC and remained until the program ended in 1974.Throughout the 1960s, Scott hosted various children’s television shows and portrayed a variety of characters on WRC, including Bozo the Clown.
In the 1970s, Scott stayed in Washington and became the weatherman for NBC's local channel 4 station. It wasn’t until March 1980 that Scott replaced Bob Ryan as the weatherman on TODAY. Scott was best known for wishing a big “Happy Birthday!” to TODAY fans turning 100 in the now-popular segment where pictures of the centenarians are shown on a Smucker’s jelly jar and celebrated on air. The tradition began when Scott agreed to a viewer’s request to wish his mother a happy 100th birthday in 1983 and has persisted throughout the decades.Though Scott semi-retired from the air in 1996, he continued to fill in for Al for the next 10 years.
“He’s in the marrow and the DNA of this show,” Savannah Guthrie said. “He's probably the most identified with the show than anybody. I think of Willard Scott I just think of joy.” Guthrie later added, “Willard reminded everybody that there's this whole, wonderful, quirky, fascinating country out there. He loved introducing America to America.”
He was America's CHEERLEADER. RIP.
Nice remembrance. Prayers for his family.
No one did the Smucker's like Willard. He is one funny legend that will be missed! My prayers to his family & to the Today Show.
So sad 😭
One of a kind. RIP Willard. ❤
smuckers should partner with the and make a limited edition jar with a tribute to WillardScott and have proceeds donated to charity. Guaranteed it would sell out in no time and raise some great funds!!
The greats in every path in this life are moving on. RIP and God Bless Mr. Willard Scott, one of the good guys.
Willard Scott
This is so sad. May you R.I.P. WillardScott 💙🙏🏼🤍 My Mom always had the news on and I remember Mr. Willard Scott making everyone’s day a little brighter. 💛 He reminded me of Punxsutawney Phil with his hat in winter. Always smiling 😍 NeverForgotten 🤍
RIP 🙏
Prayers to his family and the today show family. He was a delight to watch.🙏🙏🙏
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