Willard Scott, an iconic member of the Today show team, is retiring. The Today show made the announcement this morning, with Scott’s send-off planned for Tuesday’s show. Scott, 81, began his career as an NBC Page 65 years ago. In the 1960s he was McDonald’s very first clown, then called Donald McDonald. He joined the Today show in 1980 and began his “Happy Birthday” segments in 1983. “He is literally my second dad,” said Today weatherman Al Roker who took over for Scott in 1995. “I love that man.”
Here’s the announcement from this morning, plus one of the show’s favorite Willard moments:
Revisiting one of our favorite Willard Scott moments. We'll honor him on Tuesday. Tune in! #ThankYouWillard https://t.co/ZYPtFZHmXE
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— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2015