The tradition of honoring those who turned 100 years old began In 1983. ”People said I was a buffoon to do it,” he told The New York Times in that 1987 interview. He also dressed as Brazilian singer and actress Carmen Miranda in a 1983 episode of Today in order to secure a $1,000 donation to the USO. 4, Scott died from an undisclosed cause at home with his family, according to the New York Post. He also dressed up as a giant Cupid on Valentine’s Day, in a barrel on the day taxes were due, and a groundhog to celebrate Groundhog Day. NBC Weatherman Willard Scott near his home in The Plains, VA Willard Scott, known for being the first actor to ever portray the Ronald McDonald character that became a cultural icon, has passed away. Not content to merely give the forecast, Scott became known for such stunts as doing the weather dressed as Boy George while the singer was at the height of his fame. Willard Scott, the beloved weatherman who charmed viewers of NBC’s Today show with his self-deprecating humor and cheerful personality, has died. In March 1980, he ove to the network, and he replaced Bob Ryan as weatherman on Today. Willard Scott, who served as the Today shows weatherman for more than 30 years, has died, according to NBC News. Scott became the weatherman for NBC’s Washington DC local channel 4 station. Scott also had the distinction of being the first person to play Ronald McDonald, appearing in commercials in the Washington area starting in 1963.
He hosted children’s TV shows in the 1960s and appeared on WRC playing a wide range of characters, including Bozo the Clown.
He remained on the program until it ended in 1974. In 1955, he began hosting the Joy Boys radio show on the NBC radio station WRC. Willard Scott, who forecast the weather for NBC's 'TODAY' show for more than three decades of his 65 years at at NBC, has died, Al Roker said in an Instagram post Saturday.