Scott was best known as a weather reporter on NBC's Today show where he also celebrated US centenarian birthdays and notable anniversaries.

(191 cm, 130 kg) Scott was described by The New York Times as a "garrulous, gaptoothed, boutonnière-wearing, funny-hatted, sometimes toupee-clad, larger-than-life American Everyman".

Scott parlayed his national exposure as weather presenter into a highly successful career as a pitchman who promoted an ever-widening range of products the fees for which outstripped his million-dollar annual salary at NBC (equivalent to $2.14 million in 2023).

"[5] In Scott's autobiography The Joy of Living he summed his life, saying "If you were to look at my resume, you’d see that I’m ...bald, I’m overweight, I don’t make all the smooth moves and I dress like a slob.

Scott built his own radio station in his family home's basement and sold ads he aired during his low power broadcasts.

They told us our signal was reaching National Airport — Pan Am’s radios were picking up kids talking and playing records.

While a freshman in 1947, Scott broadcast a high school news report on a local FM radio station every Saturday.

Scott became a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity while at American University and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in "philosophy and religion".

They recorded it in two versions, a duet between them, and Walker singing in four-part harmony with himself, for use as, respectively, the opening and closing themes for the show: We are the Joy Boys of radio; We chase electrons to and fro-o-o.

Scott wrote in his book The Joy of Living, their close professional and personal bond continued until Walker's death in October 2015.

[1] After the Joy Boys show ended, Scott thrived as a Washington D.C. area personality, doing product pitches and popping up at ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

[15][16] Scott felt his early work in children's programming was one reason for his success in engaging and entertaining television viewers.

I was 'Farmer Willard' and I played opposite a very refined lady named Betsy Stelck, who had a fairyland aura about her..."[11] The show was a hit.

The show featured live music, vocalists, fashion and food segments by Inga Rundvold and Jim Henson's puppet group Sam and Friends, an early incarnation of the Muppets.

[18] Scott used Lester, his basset hound, as "Doctor Strangedog", a human German physicist and spy who had stowed away on the rocket ship.

The rocket ship set had control panels made of plastic mini-ice cube trays with blinking Christmas lights behind them.

Washington, D.C., McDonald's stores had enjoyed incredible customer attendance when Scott appeared as Bozo the Clown.

The local McDonald's franchisees wanted another clown to drive sales and asked Scott to develop a new character.

[1] Scott's Ronald McDonald costume included a small paper cup over his nose, a cardboard food tray worn as a hat and a cardboard food tray containing a complete McDonald's meal - a wrapped hamburger, paper bag of fries and a drink, worn just above the front of his pants that “magically” replaced the hamburger every time one disappeared.

[24] Scott portrayed Ronald McDonald from 1963 through 1967, appearing in three television commercials[25] and narrating a 45 rpm recording of "The Night Before Christmas" as part of a 1963 holiday promotion.

The show had a studio audience of 30 youngsters every Saturday who played games, performed dramatic skits and interacted with Scott as clown Ronald.

[29] In March 1980, the NBC network came calling, and Scott was named weatherman on TODAY, replacing Bob Ryan.

The donation was made and Scott gave his August 22, 1983, weather forecast on the Today Show dressed in drag, wearing a bright red tropical dress, earrings and pearls, heels, and a showy, multi-colored headdress with feathers and fruit, reminiscent of the late Brazilian entertainer's outfits.

When Scott died, Smucker’s posted a tribute to him, putting his face on the jelly jar label graphic.

In the memo, Gumbel said Scott "holds the show hostage to his assortment of whims, wishes, birthdays and bad taste ...this guy is killing us and no one's even trying to rein him in.

"[35] This garnered enough of a backlash that the next time they appeared on camera together Scott kissed Gumbel on the cheek to show he'd forgiven him, and also later said he hoped the whole thing would go away.

[16] Al Roker, the meteorologist who succeeded Scott on the Today Show said "No broadcaster was loved by so many and brought so many smiles".

[38] The companies Scott endorsed include: Howard Johnson Motor Lodges, True Value Hardware, Burger King, Lipton tea, Maxwell House coffee, the American Dairy Association, the Florida Citrus Commission, Diet Coke, USA Today and many others.

Several former Today staff came to bid farewell to Scott including Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley, Katie Couric, and Gene Shalit along with Barbara Bush.

[53] After Scott was feted on the "Today Show" with cupcakes and comments from co-anchors, he said "I'm fading off into the sunset" and started singing Dale Evans's song "Happy trails to you until we meet again.