Net Worth Ranker
What Is Al Roker’s Net Worth?
Al Roker, a prominent figure in American television as a weather forecaster, TV personality, actor, and author, has cultivated a substantial net worth estimated at $70 million. This impressive financial standing is largely attributed to his long-standing career with NBC, most notably as the weatherman on “The Today Show” and a co-host on “3rd Hour Today.” His financial portfolio is further bolstered by his previous hosting duties on “Wake Up with Al” on The Weather Channel from 2009 to 2015, acting roles, authorship, and various other ventures.
Al Roker’s Salary and Contract Details
A significant portion of Al Roker’s net worth stems from his lucrative contracts with NBC. Currently, Roker earns an annual salary of $10 million. His most recent agreement with the network is a 5-year deal valued at $50 million. This comprehensive contract encompasses his responsibilities on “The Today Show” as well as his contributions to The Weather Channel. Such substantial compensation reflects his value to NBC and his enduring popularity with viewers.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Albert Lincoln Roker, Jr. was born on August 20, 1954, in Queens, New York. He grew up with his mother, Isabel, and father, Albert Sr., who worked as a bus driver, alongside his five younger siblings in a Catholic household. Al attended Manhattan’s Xavier High School, where he was involved in the Cartooning and Illustration Club. He pursued higher education at the State University of New York at Oswego, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 1976. Even during his college years, Roker gained practical experience as a weather anchor for CBS affiliate WHEN-TV in Syracuse, laying the foundation for his future career.
Television Career and Key Milestones
After graduating from college, Al Roker’s career trajectory saw him move to Washington, D.C., where he secured a weather position at independent station WTTG. In 1978, he began his association with NBC at Cleveland’s WKYC. His performance and talent led to a promotion after five years, bringing him back to New York City as WNBC-TV’s weekend weathercaster. Within eight months, he advanced to the role of weeknight weathercaster, succeeding Dr. Frank Field, who had served the network for 27 years.
From 1983 to 1996, Roker regularly filled in for Joe Witte on “NBC News at Sunrise.” He also frequently substituted for Bryant Gumbel and Willard Scott from 1990 to 1995, and for Matt Lauer from 1997 through the 2000s on “The Today Show.” In 1995, he launched his own CNBC weekend talk show, “The Al Roker Show.” A guest appearance on “Late Night with David Letterman” led to a three-year stint as the forecaster for “Weekend Today,” the weekend edition of “The Today Show.”
Roker’s affable personality and engaging interactions with the studio audience have made him a favorite among viewers. He began co-hosting the third hour of “The Today Show” (originally known as “Today’s Take”) in November 2012. After a brief period when “Today’s Take” was replaced by “Megyn Kelly Today,” Al returned to the role as a co-host of “3rd Hour Today” following the cancellation of “Megyn Kelly Today” in 2018.
Al Roker has also achieved recognition for his “Rokerthon” events, which have earned him several Guinness World Records. In 2014, he reported the weather for 34 consecutive hours, and in 2015, he reported the weather from every state in America (as well as Washington, D.C.) in just seven days. In 2017, he embarked on “Rokerthon 3,” visiting colleges and setting different Guinness World Records at each location. Furthermore, to commemorate Al’s 40 years with NBC, the Today Plaza was temporarily renamed “Rokerfeller Plaza” in 2018.
Adding to his diverse career, Roker made appearances in “Waitress: The Hit Broadway Musical” in 2018 and 2019, receiving positive reviews for his performances.
Additional Television Appearances and Hosting Roles
Beyond his weather forecasting duties, Al Roker has taken on numerous hosting roles and made guest appearances in various television shows and movies. He has hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage on NBC since 1995 (except for 2022). He has also hosted game shows such as “Remember This?” and “Celebrity Family Feud,” as well as Food Network shows like “Roker on the Road” and “Tricked-Out Tailgating.”
Roker has appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, including “Newsradio,” “Men in Black,” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” He has also played himself in five “Sharknado” movies, “Zombieland: Double Tap,” and episodes of “30 Rock,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” and “Will & Grace.” Al holds the distinction of being the most frequent guest on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” with 34 appearances. Other notable appearances include “The Blacklist,” “Martha Gets Down and Dirty,” and “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.” These diverse roles have contributed to Al Roker’s widespread recognition and success, further solidifying his net worth.
Writing Career and Publications
Al Roker has expanded his creative endeavors into writing, having published 12 books. These include “Never Goin’ Back: Winning the Weight Loss Battle For Good” (2014), “Al Roker’s Extreme Weather: Tornadoes, Typhoons, and Other Weather Phenomena” (2017), and “Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America’s Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster” (2018). He has also co-authored a series of murder mystery books with Dick Lochte, featuring Billy Blessing, a celebrity chef turned amateur detective. The series includes “The Morning Show Murders” (2009), “The Midnight Show Murders” (2010), and “The Talk Show Murders” (2011). “The Midnight Show Murders” was nominated for a 2011 Nero Award and adapted into a 2018 TV movie for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
In addition, Roker co-authored “Been There, Done That: Family Wisdom for Modern Times” (2016) with his wife, Deborah Roberts, and has released two cookbooks. His writing ventures have broadened his reach and influence, adding another dimension to his career and net worth.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Al Roker’s personal life has seen its share of milestones. He was married to WNBC producer Alice Bell from 1984 to 1994, and they adopted a daughter, Courtney, born in 1987. In 1995, he married journalist Deborah Roberts, whom he met in 1990 while both were working at NBC. Together, they have a daughter, Leila, born in 1998, and a son, Nicolas, born in 2002.
Roker has been open about his health journey, having undergone several medical procedures, including knee replacement surgery in 2001 and 2006, gastric bypass surgery in 2002, back surgery in 2005, emergency carpal tunnel surgery in 2018, and hip replacement surgery in 2019. He has also shared his experiences with weight loss and began running in 2010, even participating in the ING New York City Marathon that year. In September 2020, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer but underwent a successful operation in November. In November 2022, he was hospitalized for blood clots and underwent surgery for internal bleeding.
In terms of real estate, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts sold their prewar co-op on East 68th Street in 2000 for $1.5 million and purchased a $3.25 million Manhattan brownstone. They renovated the brownstone, focusing on expanding the kitchen to accommodate Al’s passion for cooking. The couple also owns a house in Hudson Valley, where Roker broadcasted “The Today Show” during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.
Charitable Work and Philanthropy
Al Roker is actively involved in charitable work and is a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities, serving on their Friends of RMHC board. He has also raised funds for the Crowdrise Campaign and Feeding America through his “Rokerthon” events. His commitment to philanthropy showcases his dedication to giving back to the community and supporting important causes.
Summary of Al Roker’s Net Worth Factors
In summary, Al Roker’s estimated net worth of $70 million is a result of several factors: his lucrative salary as a weatherman and co-host on “The Today Show” and “3rd Hour Today,” his previous hosting roles on The Weather Channel, his appearances in movies and television shows, his authorship of numerous books, and his real estate investments. His long-standing career with NBC, combined with his diverse talents and ventures, has allowed him to amass a substantial net worth and establish himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
The Impact of Roker’s Television Career on His Net Worth
Al Roker’s enduring presence on television, particularly his role as the weather anchor on NBC’s “The Today Show,” has been a cornerstone of his financial success and has significantly contributed to his impressive net worth. For decades, Roker has been a familiar face in American households, delivering weather forecasts with his signature blend of expertise and affability. This long-term stability in a high-profile position has provided him with a consistent and substantial income stream. The visibility he gained from “The Today Show” also opened doors to numerous other opportunities, including hosting gigs, acting roles, and endorsements, further augmenting his earnings.
His annual salary of $10 million from NBC, as part of a 5-year, $50 million deal, underscores the network’s recognition of his value and the significant impact he has on viewership. The contract covers not only his work on “The Today Show” but also his contributions to The Weather Channel, showcasing the breadth of his responsibilities and the diverse ways in which he generates revenue for NBC. Furthermore, Roker’s involvement in various NBC specials and events, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage, adds to his financial portfolio and reinforces his status as a key asset for the network.
The combination of his base salary, additional income from special appearances, and the opportunities that have arisen due to his television exposure have played a crucial role in shaping Al Roker’s net worth and securing his financial future.
The Role of Authoring and Other Ventures in Roker’s Overall Net Worth
While Al Roker’s television career forms the bedrock of his net worth, his pursuits as an author and his involvement in various other ventures have provided significant additional revenue streams, contributing to his overall financial standing. Roker has authored or co-authored 12 books, ranging from weight loss guides to murder mysteries, showcasing his versatility as a writer and his ability to connect with a broad audience. The sales of these books, along with potential royalties and subsidiary rights, have added significantly to his income.
His co-authored murder mystery series, featuring Billy Blessing, a celebrity chef turned amateur detective, demonstrates his ability to venture into new creative territories and capitalize on different segments of the entertainment market. The nomination of “The Midnight Show Murders” for a Nero Award and its adaptation into a TV movie for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries illustrate the potential for these books to generate further income through adaptations and licensing deals.
In addition to his writing endeavors, Al Roker has expanded his reach through hosting gigs on the Food Network, such as “Roker on the Road” and “Tricked-Out Tailgating.” These hosting roles not only diversify his professional portfolio but also tap into a different audience segment, offering additional avenues for income generation through salaries, endorsements, and potential profit-sharing arrangements. His numerous appearances in movies and television shows, often playing himself, also provide supplemental income and contribute to his overall brand recognition, further enhancing his earning potential. These diverse endeavors, coupled with his successful television career, have collectively played a vital role in shaping Al Roker’s impressive net worth.
