Albert Lincoln Roker Jr. was born on August 20, 1954, in Queens, New York. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1976, then joined NBC in 1978 at WKYC in Cleveland. By the mid-1980s, he had become WNBC-TV’s regular weeknight weather anchor in New York, a role that eventually led him to TODAY.
He married ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts in 1995, and the couple has three children: Courtney, Leila, and Nicholas. Roker also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted live weather broadcast, a 34-hour marathon known as “Rokerthon,” and has long supported the March of Dimes and other charitable causes.
Al Roker is truly America’s Renaissance Man. As NBC’s TODAY Show’s resident weatherman and co-anchor of the 3rd Hour of TODAY, Al Roker is an institution. According to The Hollywood Reporter/Morning Consult Poll (2024), Al is the most trusted morning show anchor in America. Along with numerous Emmys, he has executive-produced numerous TV programs for network, cable, digital, and streaming channels. He is also a prolific author with 13 acclaimed books to his credit – from cookbooks to true-life historical narratives.
Some would say the sky’s the limit for this artistic and infectiously joyful national treasure. But the birth of his first grandchild, Sky, has given Al unlimited zest for life and has helped him get through some challenging medical issues.
“Pop Pop” meets grandbaby, Sky Photo/Instagram
In 2020, Al had successful prostate cancer surgery. Then, in late 2022, he had multiple surgeries for bleeding from life-threatening blood clots in his leg and lungs. Then he had knee replacement surgery in May 2023. On July 3, 2023, little Sky Clara Laga came to the rescue, and Al received the best medicine possible, putting his medical issues in the rearview mirror.
“It is magical, it really is. The thing is, everyone tells you it’s going to be ‘this thing’ and you don’t know. It’s like when they tell you about having your first child. And then to hold this little girl, knowing almost 35 years ago I held her mom? … she’s just perfect.”
Al made the announcement on Instagram, “And then this little girl came into my life,” he wrote, “Welcome to the world, Sky Clara Laga. In love all over again. Thank you, Courtney and Wes, for such a perfect blessing. Your baby is beautiful. Already planning the ways to spoil her and then hand her back.” By the time Al showed up for his TODAY co-hosting duties, he was only too happy to talk about how it felt to be a first-time grandfather and share it with the NBC show’s viewers. “It is magical, it really is.
The thing is, everyone tells you it’s going to be ‘this thing’ and you don’t know. It’s like when they tell you about having your first child. And then to hold this little girl, knowing almost 35 years ago I held her mom? … she’s just perfect.” He also admitted that he didn’t quite understand why people seemed to talk about their grandchildren so much. One look at Sky, however, made him realize how becoming Pop-Pop would rock his world. He told TODAY viewers, “By the time you become a grandparent, you already know what it takes to raise a child. And since it’s not your primary responsibility, you can really just bask in the joy of everything they do because you don’t have to worry about all the other stuff.”
At his daughter, Courtney’s wedding, Al Roker with his wife Deborah Roberts, his daughter, Courtney, and her husband, Wes.
Al Roker with (L-R) son -in-law, Wes, daughters, Courtney and Leila, his wife, Deborah Roberts, and son, Nicholas Photo: People.com
Every day with Sky is full of awe and wonder. Al and his wife, Deborah Roberts, have been thrilled to be able to share so many first and precious moments with their new granddaughter and her parents, daughter Courtney Roker Laga and son-in-law Wes. “I’m very proud of my daughter and my son-in-law,” Al told Today.com. “They’re terrific parents, and they’ve raised this, so far, incredibly happy baby who’s just very content, and very adventurous when it comes to food, and just has a very, very lovely, happy disposition. So it’s like, ‘Well, whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a great job. I know it feels like it’s this all-consuming gig because, in fact, it is. But you’re doing a great job.’ You know, there’s that old saying, you’re only as happy as your least happy child … and that probably goes for your grandchildren as well. I’ve seen a lot of babies. I’ve had my own babies. And I’ve just never seen a kid this happy.”
“You can gently suggest things, and your kids can take them or not. And once you’ve given that advice, you have to let it go, because they have to find their way.”
Al also told Today.com that he and Deborah support Courtney and Wes’ parenting skills and advise Grands to give their children a chance to develop and hone them. “Look, our kids have to find their path. Everybody’s parental style is different. So, you kind of let them find their way. You can gently suggest things, and your kids can take them or not. And once you’ve given that advice, you have to let it go, because they have to find their way.”
As Sky approached her first birthday, Al reveled in her mastering the art of crawling around his house. While he said it was a “fantastic’ sight,” it was a call to action as well. “I’m going to have to start baby proofing.” By the time Sky turned two, Pop-Pop had become an old hand at being a Grand. He posted on Instagram on her birthday, “Well, how did two years go by so fast? #happybirthday Sky. You are so loved.” The message was accompanied by a special slide show chronicling the first two years of Sky’s life to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine.” For this weatherman, who has always stared into the sky and heavens for inspiration, looking to his own personal Sky for his daily dose of sunshine makes perfect sense.
Leaving a Better Planet for Our Kids
WEATHER HUNTERS is made possible with funding from Anne Ray Foundation, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Photo credit: Alison Grand, Grand Communications
As CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, Al produces award-winning content for network, cable, digital, and streaming channels. Al’s passion led to the creation of the PBS Kids animated STEM series Weather Hunters, which won the ALSC Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award. The series is designed to support kids’ understanding of weather through adventure and comedy. The main character is 8-year-old Lily Hunter, a weather detective who shares her investigations with her family, including dad Al Hunter, voiced by Roker. The series helps further young viewers’ interest and knowledge of Earth science and meteorology, both key building blocks of climate education.
This series and the two Simon Spotlight books based on it are something Al enjoys sharing with Sky as well.
At the launch of the TV series Al noted, “Weather has always been a passion of mine, and inspiring young minds to explore its wonders has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey, With WEATHER HUNTERS, I’m thrilled to share that passion with a new generation, including my granddaughter, Sky, who reminds me every day of the importance of leaving a better planet for our kids.”
Available now: The Windy Day: Ready-to-Read Level 2 (Weather Hunters)
Lily Hunter and her family have just moved into a new house with a workshop full of weather gadgets. How do they work? Lily wonders. Her father, a weather forecaster on the news, is having trouble delivering the weather report because of strong winds. Can Lily use the gadgets she found to save the day?
Available summer 2026: Looking for Clouds: Ready-to-Read Level 2 (Weather Hunters)
The Hunters are going on a picnic in the park where they find a puppy! But when the puppy and other animals in the park start acting strangely, the family wonders what could be going on. Lily is on the case. Could the weather be a reason for the animals’ odd behavior?
Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion.
TODAY Show cohost and America’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker, and his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga (a culinary expert and recipe developer), welcome us into their kitchen in this cookbook, featuring generations-long family favorites for every meal. It’s when a good conversation or a needed dose of laughter always starts with something great to eat. 100 original, kitchen-tested dishes for every occasion.
Cookbook upstaged by Sky’s surprise appearance on TODAY
On October 15, 2024, Al and his daughter Courtney Roker Laga made a special appearance on the TODAY show to introduce their new cookbook, “Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion.” As they cooked up some of their favorite dishes, Courtney’s husband, Wes, came on the set carrying a crying Sky. Reaching out for her, Al said, “Oh, you wanted your Pop-Pop. Courtney speculated that the kitchen mixer might have frightened her. Either way, with Sky’s first appearance on the TODAY show, a star was born.
“For this weatherman, who has always stared into the sky and heavens for inspiration, looking to his own personal Sky for his daily dose of sunshine makes perfect sense.”
Selected Books by Al Roker
Beyond the anchor desk, Al has built an extensive body of work in print — from bestselling cookbooks to children’s books, memoirs, and historical narratives. Among his published titles: 
