According to weatherman Al Roker, Scott passed away this week.
“We lost Willard Scott,” Roker wrote on Twitter. “At the age of 87 he died peacefully with his family, including his daughters Sally and Mary and his dear wife Paris. He was truly my second father and is where I am today because of his generous spirit. Willard was truly one #Icon of broadcasting. “
After the news of his death, tributes to Scott came from former colleagues and friends.
“My longtime friend in the DC office, a ray of sunshine no matter what the weather or how bleak the news,” said Andrea Mitchell, NBC News chief Washington correspondent on Twitter. “Loved by fans and colleagues alike.”
Former Today co-host Katie Couric said on Twitter that she was “heartbroken” when she heard the news.
“He played such a huge role in my life and was as warm, loving and generous as he was in front of the camera. Willard, you didn’t make it to the top of the smucker, but you’ve changed so many lives for the better. “Said Couric.
Scott retired from the morning program in 2015 after 35 years, the show said at the time.
A native of the Washington area, Scott started as a page on NBC radio station WRC in Washington in 1950 and has been a radio host, children’s television character, local weather predictor and Today’s mainstay over the years.
He was also Ronald McDonald for several years. “No station was loved by so many and brought so many smiles,” Roker wrote on Twitter.