Al Roker Celebrates Thirty Years On Today Show

On January 27, 2026, the NBC TODAY show marked a remarkable milestone: Al Roker’s 30th anniversary as the nation’s favorite morning meteorologist and anchor. The celebration, which spanned heartfelt tributes, surprises, and a few classic Roker jokes, shone a light not just on a storied television career, but also on the relationships, resilience, and unwavering passion that have defined Roker’s decades on air.

The party began early, with co-anchors Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer raising glasses of Aperol spritz and gin and tonic—two of Roker’s favorites—just before 9 a.m. "Let’s toast [Al], with some of his favorite things, [starting with] bacon and gin and tonic!" Craig declared, according to HELLO!. Roker, never one to miss a punchline, quipped, "The good news is I won’t remember any of this," after sipping his second drink of the morning. The lighthearted spirit set the tone for a day filled with laughter and nostalgia, as the TODAY family honored their colleague’s three decades of dedication.

Roker’s journey with TODAY began in 1996, when he took over the weather desk from the legendary Willard Scott. At 41, Roker was already a seasoned weatherman, having worked in Syracuse and Cleveland, but stepping into the national spotlight was a different game. "Saying this was a dream job isn’t really accurate because it never dawned on me that I could be on the TODAY show," Roker reflected in an interview with PEOPLE. Yet, over the years, he became not just a fixture, but a beloved presence in millions of homes each morning.

His impact, however, extends far beyond the weather forecast. The show’s 74-year history is filled with personalities, but Roker’s philosophy about his role is humble and clear-eyed. "The beauty of the broadcast is that the mission over these 74 years has not changed. The way we bring it to you may have, and look, the fact of the matter is we are each temporary custodians of this legacy… at some point I won’t be part of the show, somebody else will be, but to be part of a pretty cool club is very special," he told The Economic Times. For Roker, the real achievement is simple: "People, when they watch, that they didn’t feel like I wasted their time. And that hopefully they felt better after watching than before."

Colleagues had plenty of stories to share. Dylan Dreyer recalled traveling with Roker to Oklahoma while heavily pregnant, and Craig Melvin recounted a hilarious 2018 camping trip. Melvin, new to TODAY at the time, assumed the pair would sleep in their RV. Roker, ever the pragmatist, told Craig, "I’m too old for this [blank]," before heading off to a five-star hotel, leaving Melvin in the camper. "To be clear, he did not [invite me]," Melvin laughed, as reported by HELLO!.

Not all memories were lighthearted. In late 2022, Roker faced a serious health scare when blood clots in his legs traveled to his lungs, forcing a lengthy hospital stay. During his recovery, his TODAY family—including Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb—surprised him at home with Christmas caroling. "To be honest, I hadn’t cried during the whole thing, during the whole ordeal. But that brought me to tears," Roker later confessed to HELLO!. The moment underscored the deep bonds forged over years of early mornings and shared challenges.

Family support has always been central to Roker’s life. Married to ABC news correspondent Deborah Roberts since 1995, the couple recently celebrated their 31st anniversary. Their story began as a friendship, with Roker winning Roberts’ heart by stocking her fridge and leaving flowers while she was covering the 1992 Olympics. Together, they have two children: Leila, 27, a content creator and fashion journalist based in Paris, and Nick, 23, a recent college graduate. Roker’s eldest, Courtney, 38, from a previous marriage, is a personal chef and co-author of "Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By." The family has recently celebrated milestones including Leila’s engagement in March 2025 and Nick’s graduation in May 2025. Roker’s pride in his family is matched only by his gratitude for their support behind the scenes.

Beyond the studio, Roker’s influence stretches into publishing. He’s a best-selling author of cookbooks, family wisdom collections, and even murder mysteries. His most recent releases, "Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion" and "Murder on Demand," both arrived in 2024, adding new chapters to a career already brimming with highlights.

Roker’s tenure has also been marked by unforgettable encounters. He fondly recalled a 24-hour period about a decade ago in California when he interviewed comedy and television legends Don Rickles, Betty White, Carl Reiner, and Dick Van Dyke. "It was like, wow, I’m a kid from Queens out doing this," he marveled to PEOPLE. Those moments, he says, are reminders of how fortunate he’s been.

The 30th anniversary festivities brought surprises from outside the TODAY studio as well. On January 26, 2026, Ernie Hudson—star of the Ghostbusters franchise and longtime friend of Roker—appeared on the show. Hudson, who called Roker "an inspiration of mine for many, many years," presented him with a Hasbro Plasma Series Proton Pack, a Ghost Trap replica, and a signed Winston Zeddemore Funko Pop. Hudson also delivered a message from charitable Ghostbusters fan groups worldwide, telling Roker, "They wanted me to let you know how much you really mean to the universe." Before leaving, Hudson gave a shout-out to Minneapolis, expressing support for the city during recent hardships: "My heart, my prayers, my love, is with you."

Hudson, 80, also shared his fitness secrets during his visit, revealing a simple regimen of daily pushups, squats, and planks—no gym required. For him, consistency is both a physical and mental discipline, a lesson Roker himself has echoed in his own life and career.

Through it all, the question of retirement inevitably arises. Roker, now 71, addressed it with characteristic candor and humor. "Well, let’s put it this way. I haven’t thought about retirement. Somebody at NBC, that might be a different story," he joked to PEOPLE. "I love what I do. I feel good. I love this job. I love doing it. At some point I guess I won’t be, but I don’t feel like that’s anytime soon, so I’m just gonna keep going." For Roker, as long as the job brings him joy and purpose, he has no plans to step away.

The anniversary celebration wrapped with TODAY staff donning matching blue T-shirts, a pop culture tribute, and a collective sense of gratitude for a broadcaster who’s informed, entertained, and inspired generations. As Roker continues his journey, both the show’s legacy and his own seem as bright as ever.