Albert Lincoln Roker Jr. born August 20, 1954 is an American weather presenter, journalist, television personality, and author, best known as the weather anchor on NBC’s Today. He also occasionally co-hosts 3rd Hour Today and holds an inactive American Meteorological Society Television Seal.
Al Roker Biography 2025
Roker began his career in 1974 at CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse while attending college. Afterward, he worked at WTTG in Washington, D.C., before joining NBC in 1978 at WKYC in Cleveland. In 1983, he returned to New York to work at WNBC-TV, eventually becoming the station’s regular weeknight weathercaster. Roker also frequently substituted for various anchors on NBC programs such as NBC News at Sunrise and Today. In 1995, he began hosting The Al Roker Show on CNBC.
WhatsApp Channel Join Button
Al Roker Biography Details
Born
Albert Lincoln Roker Jr.
August 20, 1954 (age 70)
New York City, U.S.
Alma mater
State University of New York at Oswego (BA)
Occupations
Journalist
television personality
weather presenter
actor
author
Years active
1974–present
Spouses
First wife (divorced)
Alice Bell
(m. 1984, divorced)
Deborah Roberts
(m. 1995)
Children
3
Relatives
Roxie Roker (paternal first cousin, once removed)
Lenny Kravitz (paternal second cousin)
Zoë Kravitz (paternal second cousin, once removed)
Website
AlRoker.com
Al Roker Early Life
Roker was born in Queens, New York, to Isabel, of Jamaican descent, and Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., of Bahamian descent. Initially interested in cartooning, he was raised Catholic and graduated from Xavier High School in Manhattan. He went on to earn a B.A. in communications from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1976.
Al Roker Career
Year
Event Details
1974-1976
Weather anchor at CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, NY
1976-1978
Weathercaster at independent station WTTG in Washington, D.C.
1978-1983
Weather anchor at WKYC in Cleveland, an NBC affiliate
NBC Career Milestones
Year
Event Details
1983
Joined WNBC-TV in New York, became weekend weathercaster
1983-1996
Filled in as substitute for various Today show anchors
1996
Became the regular weekday weather anchor on Today
Al Roker Television Appearances
Year
TV Show and Role
1995-1996
Hosted The Al Roker Show on CNBC
2005
Reported from inside Hurricane Wilma for Today
2007-2018
Hosted segments on Celebrity Family Feud and Game On Today
Broadway Appearances
Year
Broadway Show and Role
2003
Cameo in The Play What I Wrote
2018-2019
Portrayed Joe in Waitress on Broadway
2023
Cameo in Gutenberg! The Musical!
Roker Charity Work and Causes
Year
Charity or Cause Involvement
2007
Became a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities
2014
Raised funds for military veterans through “Rokerthon”
2018
Supported Feeding America through Rokerthon 2
Health Milestones and Challenges
Year
Health Event
2002
Underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 100 pounds
2016
Had knee replacement surgery
2020
Diagnosed with prostate cancer and successfully operated on
Al Roker Family and Personal Life
Year
Personal Life Event
1984
Married Alice Bell; adopted daughter Courtney in 1987
1995
Married Deborah Roberts; had two children, Leila and Nicholas
2010
Ran in the ING New York City Marathon
Al Roker Involvement in Game Shows
Year
Game Show and Role
1996-1997
Hosted Remember This? on MSNBC
2007
Substituted for Meredith Vieira on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
2008
Hosted Celebrity Family Feud
Notable TV Show Cameos
Year
TV Show and Role
1993
Appeared as himself in Seinfeld
1998
Guest in Saturday Night Live sketch with Matt Lauer
2014
Cameo in Sharknado 2: The Second One
Al Roker Contribution to Food Network
Year
Show and Role
2000s
Hosted Roker on the Road and Tricked-Out Tailgating
2008
Appeared as a guest in Food Network programming
Al Roker Book Authorship
Year
Book Title
2009
The Morning Show Murders
2010
The Midnight Show Murders
2016
Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times
Al Roker Appearances in Films
Year
Film and Role
2014
Cameo in Sharknado 2: The Second One
2015
Cameo in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
2017
Appeared in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming
Awards and Recognition
Year
Award or Recognition
2014
Honorary Commodore by the U.S. Coast Guard
2016
Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award
Al Roker Role in Major Events
Year
Event and Role
2009
Reported from the Pentagon during Barack Obama’s Inauguration
2013
Received handshake from Joe Biden at Obama’s second inauguration
2017
Co-hosted inauguration coverage for Donald Trump
Al Roker Signature Phrases
Phrase
Usage Context
“That’s what’s going on around the country”
Used during weather reports transitioning locally
“Man candy”
Used to describe attractive males
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Let’s have a parade!”
Used during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start
Al Roker Net Worth
Al Roker net worth at a whopping $70 million.
Al Roker Summary
Al Roker is a prominent American weather presenter, journalist, and television personality, best known for his long-standing role on NBC’s Today show. Born in 1954 in New York, Roker has built a career spanning decades, starting from local stations to becoming a national icon. He has also hosted several game shows, written books, and even appeared on Broadway. Despite facing significant health challenges, including prostate cancer and blood clots, Roker has continued to work and inspire. His charitable efforts and memorable moments, like hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, have cemented his legacy in American television.
