Willard Scott

Active - 1989 - 2009  |   Born - Mar 7, 1934 in Alexandria, Virginia, United States  |   Genres - Comedy, Science & Technology [nf], Leisure Arts

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Factsheet

  • Launched his own radio station in his basement at age 8. It had a range of 150 yards.
  • Began his long association with NBC in 1950, when he went to work as a page for NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, DC.
  • He and Ed Walker were the Joy Boys, a popular DC-area radio team, from 1955 to '74. Their run was interrupted by Scott's 1956-58 stint in the Navy.
  • Hosted a WRC-TV weekday variety show in 1955 called Afternoon that featured puppeteer Jim Henson's creations.
  • Played Bozo the Clown on WRC-TV from 1959 to '62. As Bozo, he once entertained a young Caroline Kennedy at her White House birthday party.
  • Created the Ronald McDonald character for a DC-area McDonald's; appeared as Ronald in the first McDonald's TV commercial that featured the "hamburger-happy clown."
  • Became the weather presenter on WRC-TV in 1967, a gig he kept until moving to Today in 1980.
  • Often appeared as Santa Claus at White House events for children.
  • Was honored with the Private Sector Award for Public Service in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.