Willard Herman Scott in the Southern Quote

He was born on March 7, 1934 in Alexandria, Virginia. Among his many jobs were actor, author, media personality, clown and comedian. Although best-known for his work on “The Today Show,” many people are surprised to discover that he was also the creator and original portrayer of Ronald McDonald.

After showing an interest in broadcast as a 16-year-old he worked in 1950  in Washington, D.C.  He attended American University where he received degrees in philosophy and religion.

From 1955-1972 he was co-host of the nightly Joy Boys radio program. This stint was interrupted from 1956-1958 while he served on active duty with the United States Navy.

Unbeknownst to many he performed regularly from 1963-1966 as Ronald McDonald. In his book “The Joy of Living” he said that the creation of the Ronald McDonald character  came at the request of the fast-food restaurant chain.

Willard Herman Scott began appearing as a weatherman on Washington WRC-TV in 1970. Ten years later NBC tapped him to become its weatherman for The Today Show. Thus began Scott’s practice of wishing centenarians a happy birthday on air.  During the 1980s Scott routinely did weather reports on the road, interviewing locals at community festivals and landmarks.

 Along with the aforementioned  “The Joy of Living” Scott authored or co-authored eight  books. Among these were “America Is My Neighborhood “(1987) and “Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tone” (2003). Scott has been the recipient of many awards for distinction and humanitarianism. Chief among these was the Private Sector Award for Public Service which he received in 1985 from President Ronald Reagan.

 In today’s Southern Quote we pay tribute to a well-known TV personality who once preached a sermon at the 185^th anniversary of his home church, First Baptist in Alexandria, Va.  On the topic of marriage Scott said, “A good marriage is like an incredible retirement fund. You put everything you have into it during your productive life and over the years it turns from silver to gold to platinum.”