Matt Lauer

Below is a biographical-style profile of Matt Lauer, with attention to both his public achievements and controversies. Please note that some aspects of his life are contentious and have been widely reported.

Matt Lauer – Life, Career, and Controversy

Explore the life of Matt Lauer, former American TV journalist and longtime Today co-anchor. Learn about his rise to fame, career milestones, and the controversies that ended his broadcasting tenure.

Introduction

Matt Lauer (born December 30, 1957) is a former American television news anchor best known for co-hosting NBC’s Today show from 1997 to 2017. For two decades, he was a prominent figure in morning television — interviewing world leaders, covering global events, and leading high-visibility segments. However, his career came to an abrupt end amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which have heavily shaped his legacy.

Early Life and Family

Matthew Todd Lauer was born on December 30, 1957, in New York City. He is the son of Marilyn Lauer (née Kolmer), a boutique owner, and Jay Robert Lauer, a bicycle company executive. His parents divorced when he was young.

Lauer’s heritage includes Romanian Jewish ancestry on his father’s side; he has said that though his father was Jewish and his mother was not, he was not raised in any particular faith.

Education and Early Career

Lauer attended Ohio University in Athens, majoring in communications. However, he left in 1979 before completing his degree, reportedly just four credits short. He began his television career soon thereafter, working as a producer for a noon newscast at WOWK-TV in Huntington, West Virginia. Within about a year, he became an on-air reporter for the station’s evening newscasts.

Over the 1980s, Lauer held various on-air and hosting roles around the U.S.:

• Co-hosting PM Magazine in cities such as Richmond, Providence, and New York

• Hosting Made in New York on WNYW (New York)

• Serving as a host or anchor in markets including Philadelphia and Boston

• Working with networks such as ESPN and hosting entertainment segments for HBO

Later, Lauer returned to Ohio University (or otherwise leveraged experience) to earn his degree in 1997 — this was done via recognition of his professional work.

Rise at NBC & The Today Show

In 1992, Lauer joined NBC, becoming co-anchor of Today in New York on WNBC. He also co-anchored Live at Five, NBC’s evening local newscast, from 1993 until 1996. In 1994, he moved to the Today show as the news anchor (replacing Margaret Larson) while still holding local anchoring duties. On January 6, 1997, Lauer was elevated to co-anchor of Today, a role he would hold until 2017.

During his tenure, some of his notable contributions and roles included:

• Hosting the “Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?” segment (1998–2011), where he traveled internationally and reported live from various locations.

• Serving as a frequent contributor to Dateline NBC.

• Hosting or co-hosting high-profile events, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Today’s coverage of Olympic opening ceremonies.

Lauer’s style was affable and professional; his visibility made him one of the more recognizable faces in American morning TV.

Peak Career & Influence

By the mid-2000s, Lauer was among the highest-paid morning show hosts in the U.S. His influence allowed him to conduct high-profile interviews and cover major events, leveraging the Today platform’s broad audience.

Notably, in 2005 he conducted a memorable, tense interview with actor Tom Cruise, during which the two clashed over psychiatry and postpartum depression.

He also interviewed British royalty, including Princes William and Harry, particularly in relation to their mother Diana.

Lauer’s visibility extended beyond news; he had cameo or self roles in films and TV shows, such as 30 Rock, Land of the Lost, and Will & Grace.

Controversies and Downfall

Allegations & Dismissal

In November 2017, NBC terminated Lauer’s contract amid allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace. NBC publicly stated that it had received a “detailed complaint” from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior, and that it believed that such behavior may not have been isolated. The allegations included claims that Lauer harassed employees during the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi and afterward.

Some reports allege that multiple colleagues made allegations dating from 2000 to 2007. In the wake of the allegations, Lauer issued an apology, saying:

“Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed.”

He acknowledged that repairing the damage would be his “full-time job.”

Later reporting (for example, in Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill) claimed additional serious allegations, including by a former NBC staffer who alleged sexual assault.

Following his dismissal, Lauer has largely remained out of the public eye.

Public and Industry Backlash

His firing was part of the broader wave of accountability in the media and entertainment industries tied to the #MeToo movement. Many former colleagues and critics speculated that NBC had been aware of allegations previously but had not acted.

His fall from grace dramatically altered how he was perceived: from a morning TV stalwart to a symbol of abuses of power and workplace misconduct.

Later Life & Personal Matters

Personal Life

Lauer was first married to Nancy Alspaugh from 1982 to 1989. The marriage ended with no children. In October 1998, he married Annette Roque, a Dutch model whom he had met earlier. They had three children together: a son and two daughters. Roque filed for divorce in 2019, following years of separation; their divorce was finalized that year.

After his termination from NBC, Lauer largely retreated from public life. Reports suggest he divides his time between properties in New York (the Hamptons) and New Zealand, where he owns a farm (Hunter Valley Station).

Some recent reports say that Lauer is attempting to reconnect with old friends and is content leading a quieter life.

Reputation & Legacy

Lauer once stood among the most respected figures in broadcast journalism. His years on Today made him a familiar and trusted presence to millions of viewers.
But his legacy is now deeply complicated by the misconduct allegations. Many see his rise and fall as illustrative of how influence, power, and media culture intersect — and how accountability can arrive suddenly.

Observations & Lessons

• Public trust is fragile. Longevity and popularity in media do not shield one from consequences of misconduct.

• Power dynamics matter. Allegations involve people in subordinate roles — raising major ethical questions about abuse of authority in media organizations.

• Legacy is multifaceted. Lauer’s professional accomplishments cannot be disentangled from his personal and ethical failings in public judgment.

• Institutional responsibility. His case renewed discussions about how media companies should monitor, investigate, and act on allegations of misconduct.