Who Ya Gonna Call? 👻 Al Roker Gets the ULTIMATE Ghostbusters Surprise for His 30th! 🎁🎬

January 27, 2026
Image Source :: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Can you believe it has been 30 years? Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday when Al Roker started telling us what is happening in our neck of the woods. But here we are. It is January 2026, and our favorite weatherman just hit a huge number. He has been on NBC's Today show for three whole decades. That is a long time to wake up early every single morning!

Everyone was excited to celebrate with him. They even called it his "Aliversary." It was a big party on TV. There were surprises, gifts, and lots of laughs. But with all the celebration, some people started asking questions. Is he done? Is he going to retire? And how old is Al Roker anyway?

We are going to dig into all of that. We will talk about the party, the cool gift he got from a Ghostbuster, and what Al actually said about leaving his job. Spoiler alert: you might be happy with his answer.

The Big 30th Anniversary Party

Tuesday, January 27, 2026, was not just a normal Tuesday. It was a special day at Studio 1A. The whole Today show crew was ready to honor the man who has been the heart of the show for so long.

When Al Roker first joined the show as the main weather anchor in 1996, he had big shoes to fill. He was taking over for Willard Scott. Willard was a legend. But Al made the job his own. He didn't just point at maps. He went outside. He talked to people in the crowd. He made us smile even when it was raining.

For his 30th anniversary, the show pulled out all the stops. They looked back at his funniest moments. Do you remember when he reported from a hurricane? Or when he helped cook giant meals? They showed clips of him interviewing presidents and movie stars. It was like watching a movie of his life.

Al was humble about it, of course. He always is. He thanked the people he works with. He said the show is not just about him. He called himself a "temporary custodian" of the show. That is a fancy way of saying he is just taking care of it for a while. But to us, he is the show.

A Ghostbusters Surprise from Ernie Hudson

One of the coolest moments of the morning happened when a special guest walked in. It was Ernie Hudson! You know him. He played Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters movies.

Al Roker loves movies and TV shows. He is a big fan of pop culture. So seeing Ernie Hudson was already great. But Ernie did not come empty-handed. He brought a gift that made Al's eyes light up.

Ernie gave Al a real Ghostbusters Proton Pack.

If you have seen the movies, you know what that is. It is the big backpack they wear to catch ghosts. It has lights and buttons and looks very heavy. Al put it on and looked ready to catch some ghosts right there in the studio. It was a funny and sweet moment. It showed that Al is still a big kid at heart. He loves to have fun. That is why we like watching him.

The gift was perfect because Al brings good energy. He keeps the bad vibes away, just like a Ghostbuster. Seeing him with the proton pack was definitely a highlight of the "Aliversary."

Is Al Roker Retiring?

Now, let's get to the big question. When someone hits a big number like 30 years, people start to wonder. Is this the end? Is he going to say goodbye?

Rumors fly around the internet all the time. People see a celebration and think it is a farewell party. But you do not need to worry. Al set the record straight.

He talked to People magazine before his big day. He was very clear. He said, "I haven't thought about retirement."

That is good news, right? He said he loves his job. He feels good. He enjoys waking up and coming to the studio. He even joked about it. He said the only way he is leaving is if the bosses at NBC make him leave. Or maybe if they drag him out kicking and screaming.

He used a funny phrase. He said he will keep going until "the wheels fall off." That means he is going to keep working as long as his body lets him. He is not ready to sit on a porch and do nothing. He has too much energy for that.

So, if you were scared that Al was leaving, you can relax. He is staying put. He loves the Today show family, and he loves the audience. He feels lucky to have this job. He said he never dreamed he would be on the Today show in the first place. So he is going to enjoy it for as long as he can.

How Old is Al Roker?

With all this talk about 30 years, you are probably doing the math in your head. You might be typing "how old is Al Roker" into your phone.

Well, Al Roker is 71 years old. He was born on August 20, 1954.

When you look at him, it is hard to believe he is 71. He has so much energy. He travels all over the country. He stands out in the cold and the heat. He wakes up way before the sun comes up. Most people his age are slowing down. But not Al.

He has been through a lot, too. He has had some health scares over the years. He had surgery for prostate cancer. He had blood clots that sent him to the hospital. But he always bounces back. He is tough. He takes care of himself, and he keeps moving.

Being 71 does not stop him. In fact, he seems to be having more fun now than ever. He knows who he is. He is comfortable on camera. He is like a fun uncle or grandfather to millions of people. His age is just a number. It is his spirit that matters.

Why We Love "America's Weatherman"

Why do we care so much about a weatherman? There are lots of people who tell us the weather. But Al is different.

First, he is real. When things go wrong, he laughs. If he messes up a word, he makes a joke. He does not try to be perfect. He acts like a normal person. That makes us feel like we know him.

Second, he is kind. You can see it in his eyes. When he talks to fans outside the studio, he really listens. He shakes hands. He takes selfies. He treats everyone with respect. He remembers names. That is a rare thing for a big TV star.

Third, he is funny. He has a quick wit. He can make his co-hosts laugh until they cry. He does funny voices. He participates in the silly segments. He is not afraid to look goofy if it makes people smile.

He also cares about the world. He talks about climate change and the environment. He wants to help people understand what is happening to our planet. He uses his voice for good things.

And let's not forget his catchphrase. "Here's what's happening in your neck of the woods." It is simple, but it connects us. It reminds us that we are all part of the same country. He tells us the national weather, then he hands it over to our local news. It is a comforting routine.

The Early Days

To understand why 30 years is such a big deal, we have to look back. Al didn't start at the top. He worked hard to get there.

He started his career in Syracuse, New York, while he was still in college. He worked at local stations in Washington, D.C., and Cleveland. He paid his dues. He learned how to be a good broadcaster.

He joined NBC in 1978. That is a really long time ago! He worked at the local NBC station in New York for a long time. He became a local favorite. People in New York loved him.

Then, he started filling in on the Today show. Willard Scott was the main guy then. Willard was famous for wishing happy birthday to people who were 100 years old. Al learned a lot from him. They were friends.

When Willard decided to step back in 1996, Al was the natural choice. But it was still a risk. Willard was huge. Could Al replace him?

The answer was yes. Al honored what Willard did, but he added his own style. He brought a modern feel to the weather. He used technology, but he kept the human touch.

Now, 30 years later, Al is the legend. New people look up to him. He is the one teaching the younger generation. It is a full circle moment.

Overcoming Challenges

It has not always been easy for Al. We see him smiling on TV, but he has faced tough times.

His weight was a big topic for a long time. He struggled with it publicly. He tried diets and different plans. He was open about it. He didn't hide. In 2002, he had gastric bypass surgery. He lost a lot of weight. He talked about it to help other people. He showed that it is okay to ask for help.

He has also had health scares recently. A couple of years ago, he had blood clots in his leg and lungs. It was very serious. He had to miss the show for a while. Everyone was worried. We missed him. The show didn't feel the same without him.

When he came back, it was a happy day. He walked in, and everyone cheered. He said he was grateful to be alive. He thanked the doctors and his wife, Deborah Roberts. It reminded us not to take him for granted.

He also had knee replacement surgery. And he had prostate cancer surgery a few years back. He talked about that on TV, too. He wanted men to get checked. He turned his scary moment into a lesson for others. That is just who he is.

The Future for Al

So, what is next for Al Roker?

Well, more weather, for sure. He is going to keep telling us if we need an umbrella or sunglasses. He is going to keep traveling. He loves to go to the Olympics and big parades.

He is also a writer. He has written mysteries and cookbooks. He might write more books. He likes to stay busy.

He has a production company, too. He makes TV shows for other channels. He is a busy guy.

But his main home is the Today show. He is the anchor that holds it down. Hosts come and go. But Al is the constant. He has worked with Bryant Gumbel, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry, Savannah Guthrie, and Hoda Kotb. He gets along with everyone. He is the glue.

He said he wants his legacy to be simple. He wants people to feel better after watching him. He doesn't want to waste our time. I think he has already done that. He makes our mornings brighter.

Conclusion

Thirty years is a lifetime in TV years. Most people do not last that long. But Al Roker is special. He is talented, hardworking, and genuine.

Celebrating his 30th anniversary on January 27, 2026, was a moment to say thank you. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for the weather reports. Thank you for being a friend in our living rooms every morning.

We are glad he is not retiring. We are glad he is healthy. And we are glad he finally got a Ghostbusters Proton Pack. He deserves it.

Here is to Al Roker. 71 years young and still going strong. We hope to see him in our neck of the woods for many more years.

FAQs

1. Is Al Roker retiring from the Today show? No, Al Roker is not retiring. He said he has not thought about retirement and plans to keep working. He loves his job and will stay as long as he can.

2. How old is Al Roker right now? Al Roker is 71 years old. He was born on August 20, 1954.

3. What gift did Ernie Hudson give Al Roker? Ernie Hudson gave Al Roker a Ghostbusters Proton Pack. It was a surprise gift during the show to celebrate Al's 30th anniversary.

4. When was Al Roker's 30th anniversary on the Today show? His 30th anniversary was celebrated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. He officially started as the full-time weather anchor in early 1996.

5. How long has Al Roker been on the Today show? He has been the main weather anchor for 30 years. However, he started doing fill-in work for the show even before 1996.

6. Who did Al Roker replace on the Today show? Al Roker took over the main weather role from Willard Scott. Willard Scott was the famous weatherman before him.

7. Has Al Roker had health problems recently? Al has had some health issues in the past, like blood clots and prostate cancer surgery. But right now, he says he feels good and is happy to be working.

References

 

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