American Willard Scott is an actor, writer, media personality, clown and comedian that has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Born Willard Herman Scott Jr. on March 7, 1934 in Alexandria, Virginia, he attended George Washington High School. As a 16-year old, he already showed an interest in broadcasting. He worked as an NBC page at WRC-AM, NBC’s owned-and-operated radio station in Washington, D.C. in 1950. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and faith.
Scott is broadly recognized as the previous weatherman for The Today Show. He also composed and co-hosted the popular 60’s radio show Joy Boys, and has authored or co authored eight novels. He’s the originator and original portrayer of Ronald McDonald from 1963 to 1966 and occasionally as late as 1971. He composed in his book The Joy of Living the character is made in the quick-food restaurant chain’s request.
In 1983, he started his practice of wishing centenarians a happy birthday after he was inspired by means of a viewer request.
Paris Keena (m. 2014), Mary Dwyer Scott (m. 1959–2002)
Children
Sally Scott, Mary Scott
Nicknames
Willard Herman Scott, Jr.
Awards
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program
TV Shows
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
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Fact
1
Portrayed Bozo the Clown for a number of years in the late 1950s to late 1960s on Washington DC's PBS channel.
2
Co-host, with Beverly Breckenridge, of an infomercial for Universal Music's "Those Wonderful Years" music collection. [2006]
3
Still steps in occasionally to do weather on Today (1952) for Al Roker. Appeared on the 50th Anniversary "Today" program on January 14th. [January 2002]
4
Is the announcer in the television commercials for Smuckers [May 2007]
5
Father of two daughters.
6
in "Willard Scott's Down Home Stories," he recounts from his radio days when he received his all-time favorite letter from a fan: "Dear Mr. Scott - I think you're the best disc jockey in Washington. You play the best music and have the nicest voice of anyone on the air. Please excuse the crayon - they won't let us have anything sharp in here."
7
His "Happy Birthday" segements on Today began in 1983 when a viewer wrote in to ask him to wish her mother happy 100th birthday on air.
8
McDonalds dropped him as Ronald McDonald when they went nationally with the character in favor of somebody thinner.
9
In the 1960s he became McDonald's very first redhead clown, Ronald McDonald (originally named Donald McDonald).
10
Began career as an NBC Page.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Valerie's Family: The Hogans
1987-1989
TV Series
Peter Poole
Bozo the Clown
1962
TV Series
Bozo
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Today
1980-2015
TV Series
Himself - Feature Correspondent / Himself - Features / Himself - Features Correspondent / ...
In Their Own Words
2015
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2011
TV Movie
Himself
The 85th Anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2011
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Pioneers of Television
2011
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself / Commander Retro / Ronald McDonald from McDonald's Ads
How to Live Forever
2009
Documentary
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2007
TV Movie documentary
Himself
I Love the '70s: Volume 2
2006
TV Series
Himself
I Love the Holidays
2005
TV Special documentary
Himself
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
2002
TV Special
Himself
Christmas Across America '99
1999
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Christmas Across America 1998
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Holy Man
1998
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1995-1998
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1997
TV Movie
Himself - Host
Ellen's Energy Adventure
1996
Video
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1996
TV Movie
Himself - Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1995
TV Movie
Himself - Host
Sisters
1995
TV Series
Himself
Roommates
1995
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1994
TV Special
Himself - co-host
Late Show with David Letterman
1994
TV Series
Himself
Bill Nye, the Science Guy
1994
TV Series documentary
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1993
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1993
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1992
TV Movie
Himself - Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1991
TV Movie
Himself - Host
Late Night with David Letterman
1982-1991
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Guest
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1990
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1990
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1989
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The Jim Henson Hour
1989
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1988
TV Special
Himself - Host
Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular
1988
TV Special
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1987
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The New Hollywood Squares
1987
TV Series
Himself - Panelist / Guest Appearance
Breakaway
1984
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1983
TV Special
Himself - Host
The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1983
TV Special
Himself - Presenter: Creative Arts Awards
Hee Haw
1983
TV Series
Himself
Tom Cottle: Up Close
1982
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1982
TV Special
Himself
Early Today
1982
TV Series
Himself - Weatherman
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Entertainment Tonight
2014
TV Series
Himself
The O'Reilly Factor
2008
TV Series
Himself - 'Patriot' (segment "Pinheads & Patriots")
$10 Million
$10 million
