‘Today’ show’s Willard Scott announces retirement

LOS ANGELES — Venerable NBC personality Willard Scott is retiring after 65 years at the Peacock, Variety has learned.

Matt Lauer announced the news Friday on "Today," the morning show Scott has been a part of for 35 years.

Scott's official last day is Tuesday, but NBC News have already begun to pay tribute to the wide-grinning weather personality. As part of the segment that aired Friday, journalists reminisced about Scott's coverage of the George Bush inauguration ceremony that resulted in a kiss from newly minted first lady Barbara Bush.

"Suddenly I look over and see this very happy face, race over and give that face a kiss [and] race back to George," Bush recalled in the segment. "He said 'I didn't know you knew WillardScott.' I said, 'I don't know Willard Scott. I just love that face.'"

"Today" will continue sharing memories on social media, including Tweeting and Instagramming classic images of Scot. The morning news show Tweeted on Friday the following quote and photo from "Today's" Al Roker:

"He is literally my second dad. I love that man."