WILLARD Scott was most famously known for being the meteorologist on the TODAY Show but outside of NBC, he was known for his funny side.
Scott was also known as the original Ronald McDonald and many believe he also played Bozo the Clown throughout his career.
Did Willard Scott play Bozo the Clown?
While Scott was linked to Ronald McDonald, he also takes credit for playing Bozo the Clown.
In an op-ed posted back in 2016 on the Washingtonian, Scott recalled his time as Bozo and how it led into him helping create the infamous Ronald McDonald.
"WRC bought local rights to Bozo the Clown, and I was cast in the role. Bozo went to the White House and met JFK and Caroline," Scott wrote. " I played him from 1959 to 1962, doing a daily one-hour show. Many appearances were at McDonald’s, and when I left the show, I helped the company develop Ronald McDonald."
From 1963 to 1965, Scott then played Ronald before started his career as a weatherman on WRC-TV in Washington in 1970.
10 years later, Scott then got called up to TODAY where he stayed until 2015.
When did Willard Scott pass away?
It was announced on September 4, 2021, that Scott passed away peacefully at the age of 87.
Scott had spent 65 years with NBC and was known for wishing happy birthday to fans turning 100.
His death was first announced by current TODAY show meteorologist Al Roker.
"We lost a beloved member of our @todayshow family this morning. Willard Scott passed peacefully at the age of 87 surrounded by family, including his daughters Sally and Mary and his lovely wife, Paris," Roker captioned on Instagram.
"He was truly my second dad and am where I am today because of his generous spirit. Willard was a man of his times, the ultimate broadcaster. There will never be anyone quite like him."
While his death was confirmed, a cause was not released.
What other characters did Willard Scott play?
While Scott was most famously recognized as Bozo and Ronald, when reporting weather, he was also known for dressing up as other characters for his broadcasts.
In 1983, he even dressed up as Brazilian singer and actress Carmen Miranda to secure a $1,000 donation.
Scott's other on-air roles included:
- Boy George in 1985
- Cupid on Valentine's Day
- Groundhog on Groundhog Day
- Santa Claus at the National Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. throughout the '80s
"People said I was a buffoon to do it,'' he told The New York Times in a 1987 interview. ''Well, all my life I've been a buffoon. That's my act.''
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