Al Roker, born Albert Lincoln Roker Jr. on August 20, 1954 in Queens, New York, is an American television icon best known as the longtime and beloved weather anchor on NBC's flagship morning program Today. The son of a bus driver, Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., and his wife Isabel, Roker's interest in weather began early, fueled by a childhood fascination with a toy weather station. He pursued this passion academically, earning a bachelor's degree in communications from the State University of New York at Oswego, where he also worked at the campus television station.

His professional broadcasting career began immediately after graduation with a weathercasting job at WTTG in Washington, D.C. in 1974. After three years, he moved to WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio, where he further honed his skills. His big break came in 1978 when he joined NBC's flagship station WNBC in New York City. Initially serving as a weekend weather anchor and reporter, his warm and personable style quickly caught the attention of network executives. This led to his historic role on Today, where he first filled in for the weather segment in 1983 before officially being named the program's weather anchor in 1996, succeeding Willard Scott.

Roker's tenure on Today transformed the role of the television meteorologist. He became far more than a presenter of forecasts; he was a core member of the show's family, known for his cheerful demeanor, witty banter with co-hosts like Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, and Savannah Guthrie, and his engaging live reports from major events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Olympics. His popularity spawned numerous other roles within NBC, including hosting his own syndicated talk show Al Roker and the home improvement series Roker on the Road. He is also a frequent fill-in co-host on 3rd Hour Today and has made countless cameo appearances in television series and films, including The Simpsons, 30 Rock, and The Weather Man.

Beyond broadcasting, Roker is a successful author of both fiction and non-fiction books, a passionate advocate for health and wellness following his own well-publicized weight loss surgery in 2002, and a dedicated philanthropist. He was married to Alice Bell from 1984 until their divorce in 1994. In 1995, he married ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts, with whom he has two children. With a career spanning five decades, numerous Emmy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Al Roker remains a foundational and cherished figure in American morning television, celebrated for his professionalism, resilience, and enduring warmth.