Willard Scott, weatherman for NBC’s “The Today Show,” will retire on Dec. 15 after 35 years on the show and 65 years on the network, Matt Lauer announced Friday.
The 81-year-old meteorologist passed down his duties to Al Roker in the 1990s, but continued his segment celebrating the 100th birthdays of viewers with Smucker’s jelly. He is also known for playing Ronald McDonald in commercials for McDonald’s throughout the ’60s.
As part of the announcement, the “Today” hosts paid tribute to Scott’s coverage of the George H.W. Bush inauguration, where he famously received a kiss from first lady Barbara Bush.
“Suddenly I look over and see this very happy face, race over and give that face a kiss [and] race back to George,” Bush recalled in the segment. “He said ‘I didn’t know you knew Willard Scott.’ I said, ‘I don’t know Willard Scott. I just love that face.’”
“Today” also tweeted a message from Al Roker in which he said “He is literally my second dad. I love that man.”
“Today” will honor Scott on Dec. 15 in a special airing on NBC.
"He is literally my second dad. I love that man." –@AlRoker paying tribute to his mentor and hero, Willard Scott. pic.twitter.com/xsQEDlWtkc
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2015