Willard Scott

Willard Scott was an American weather presenter, radio and TV personality, actor, narrator, clown, comedian, and author, with a career spanning 65 years.

In the 1960s Scott was the host of numerous children's television programs on WRC-TV, playing characters such as Commander Retro and Bozo the Clown. In 1970, Scott began appearing on WRC-TV as a weekday weatherman.

From 1959 to 1962 Scott portrayed Bozo the Clown in the children's television program on NBC Washington, D.C. affiliate WRC-TV.

Another TV role he performed regularly from 1963 to 1966 and occasionally as late as 1971 was Ronald McDonald for the McDonald's franchise in Washington, D.C.

Scott was hired by NBC in 1980 to become its weatherman for The Today Show, After being inspired by a viewer request, Scott began his practice of wishing centenarians a happy birthday on-air in 1983.

During the 1980s, Scott routinely did weather reports on the road, interviewing locals at community festivals and landmarks. He also periodically performed on the program from Washington, D.C., which he still considered his home.

For several years in the 1980s, Scott donned a Santa Claus costume for the broadcast of the National Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Scott made occasional guest appearances as neighbor "Mr. Poole" on The Hogan Family, where his character was married to Mrs. Poole, played by Edie McClurg. Scott also hosted the NBC telecast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1987 to 1997.

In 1990 and 1992, Scott also hosted the Pillsbury Bake-Off on CBS.

Scott announced his retirement from television on December 11, 2015.

Scott died September 4, 2021 in Deplane, Virginia. He was 87.