Al Roker is an accomplished American author, television presenter, actor, and weather forecaster, best known for his work as the weather anchor on NBC's Today. Roker was born in Queens, New York, in 1954, to parents of Bahamian and Jamaican descent. He initially dreamed of becoming a cartoonist but eventually pursued a career in communication, graduating from the New York State University at Oswego in 1976.
Roker began his career in meteorology in 1974 and gained national exposure through his appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, where he participated in an elevator race. This led to his role as the forecaster for the Weekend Today show and eventually to his position as the regular weather anchor on Today. Over time, Roker took on additional responsibilities, including conducting interviews and other segments. He is married to TV journalist Deborah Roberts.
In addition to his work in television, Roker is a successful author. He began his writing career in 2009, collaborating with author Dick Lochte to create a series of murder mysteries featuring a celebrity chef-turned-amateur detective named Billy Blessing. The second novel in this series was nominated for the Nero Award in 2011. Roker has also written several non-fiction books, including cookbooks, memoirs, and historical accounts. His 2018 book, "Ruthless Tide," explores the Johnstown Flood of 1889, weaving together the stories of the individuals whose lives were affected by this tragic event.
Roker's writing has been well-received, with several of his books becoming bestsellers. His use of first-person narrative in "The Storm Of The Century" received particular praise. Roker has also collaborated with his wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, on the book "Been There Done That - Family Wisdom For Modern Times." Most recently, he published a children's book, "Al Roker's Extreme Weather: Tornadoes, Typhoons, and Other Weather Phenomena," in 2017.