Lester Holt
Born 1959 · Age 66
American broadcast journalist; longtime CBS and NBC news anchor, former anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News (2015–2025) and principal anchor/host of Dateline.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born on Hamilton Air Force Base
Lester Don Holt Jr. born in Marin County, California (Hamilton Air Force Base).
Graduated Cordova High School
Graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California.
Left college to work in radio (dropped out)
Dropped out of California State University, Sacramento to take a job at a San Francisco-area radio station; worked as a disc jockey and reported the news during college years.
Hired as reporter at WCBS-TV (New York)
First major television reporting job: reporter for WCBS-TV in New York City.
Reporter and weekend anchor at KNXT (Los Angeles)
Became reporter and weekend anchor on KNXT (later KCBS) in Los Angeles.
Returned to WCBS-TV as reporter/weekend anchor
Returned to WCBS-TV in New York as reporter and weekend anchor.
International reporting assignments (various years)
Throughout his career Holt reported from conflict and disaster zones including Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador, Haiti and later from Japan, Egypt, South Africa and Ukraine (across multiple years).
Joined WBBM-TV (Chicago) as evening anchor
Moved to WBBM-TV in Chicago, anchoring the evening news; would remain there 14 years.
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award (48 Hours)
Awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for his work on CBS's 48 Hours: No Place Like Home.
Cameo appearance in The Fugitive
Appeared as himself in the feature film The Fugitive.
Cameo appearance in Primal Fear
Appeared as himself in the film Primal Fear.
Cameo appearance in U.S. Marshals
Appeared as himself in the film U.S. Marshals.
Left WBBM-TV; joined MSNBC/NBC News
After 14 years at WBBM-TV, Holt joined MSNBC and began anchoring Newsfront and serving as an NBC substitute anchor.
Anchored 'Countdown: Iraq' (Oct 2002–Mar 2003)
Lead nightly telecast 'Countdown: Iraq' covering the buildup to the Iraq War.
Named co-anchor of Weekend TODAY
Assumed full-time duties at NBC News and became full-time co-anchor of Weekend Today following David Bloom's death; also a Today substitute anchor.
Anchored two-hour daily MSNBC newscast (until late 2005)
Hosted a two-hour daily newscast on MSNBC until late 2005.
Making Music magazine feature & band involvement
Featured in Making Music magazine; active bass guitarist who performs (Rough Cuts) at charity and private events.
Announced Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA Network)
Served as announcer for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for USA Network (first of three consecutive years).
Named anchor of NBC Nightly News weekend edition
Appointed anchor of the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News (succeeded John Seigenthaler).
Covered 2008 Beijing Olympics (sportsdesk) and narrated Sci-Fi special
Served as sportsdesk reporter for NBC Sports' Beijing Olympics coverage and narrated 'Mystery of the Crystal Skulls' for the Sci‑Fi Channel.
Son Stefan Holt graduates Pepperdine University (family milestone)
Son Stefan graduated from Pepperdine University in 2009; later pursued his own TV news career (personal milestone noted in biographies).
Voiceover for 'Why Planes Crash' begins
Began voiceover work for the series 'Why Planes Crash' (2009–2015).
Embedded with U.S. forces in Afghanistan (2010)
Reported from Afghanistan embedded with U.S. forces as part of NBC News coverage.
Became principal anchor of Dateline
Named principal anchor of Dateline (September 2011 onward).
Honorary doctorate - other universities and subsequent honorary degrees
Received additional honorary degrees later: California State University, Sacramento (2015), Rutgers University (2020), Villanova University (2023).
Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine University
Received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University.
Interim weekday anchor of NBC Nightly News (first stint)
Served as interim weekday anchor of NBC Nightly News (Aug 6 – Sep 2, 2013) while Brian Williams was on medical leave.
NBC Nightly News drops to second place in ratings
After Holt became anchor, NBC Nightly News ratings fell to second place, ending >30-year run at #1.
Interim NBC Nightly News anchor (second stint)
Became interim weekday anchor again February 9, 2015, following Brian Williams' suspension.
Named permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News
Made permanent anchor of the weekday NBC Nightly News, becoming the first Black male solo anchor for a major network evening newscast.
Inducted into California Hall of Fame
Inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Moderated Democratic candidates' debate
Co-moderated the January 2016 Democratic presidential candidates' debate with a panel of NBC reporters.
Alan B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year & NABJ Journalist of the Year
Received the Alan B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year award and the NABJ Journalist of the Year Award.
Moderated first 2016 presidential debate
Moderated the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at Hofstra University; performance received mixed reviews.
Reported from Manchester, Brussels and Paris after terrorist attacks
Anchored NBC coverage following the 2017 terrorist attacks across Europe.
High-profile interview with President Donald Trump
Interviewed President Trump in May 2017; Trump said firing FBI director Comey was tied to the Russia investigation, prompting extensive coverage.
Received Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
Honored with the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.
Ranked 'Most Trusted TV News Anchor' in poll
A 2018 poll ranked Holt as the most trusted TV news anchor in America.
Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
Received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism (2019).
Led 'Justice for All' networkwide series
Led the Emmy-nominated 'Justice for All' series across NBC platforms, focusing on criminal justice reform, including an embedded visit to Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Adopted signature signoff line
Since 2020 Holt has often closed broadcasts with the signoff: 'I'm Lester Holt; please take care of yourself, and each other. Good night.'
Led NBC's COVID-19 coverage; launched Nightly News: Kids Edition
Anchored extensive COVID-19 coverage, launched the Emmy-nominated 'Nightly News: Kids Edition' (digital), which later won multiple awards.
Delivered virtual Rutgers commencement address
Delivered a virtual commencement speech for Rutgers University’s graduating class due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given title of Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News
In April 2021 Holt's role was expanded to include managing editor responsibilities for NBC Nightly News.
Inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame; NBC Nightly News also received the 2022 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast.
Announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Delivered NBC News Special Report announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Received Larry Foster Award & Villanova honorary doctorate
Received the Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Villanova University (2023).
Interviewed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Conducted a high-profile interview with Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi (transcript published Sept 13, 2023).
Covered Oct 7 Hamas attack — reported from Israel
Traveled to Israel to cover the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza war; was among the only broadcast anchors on the ground early in the conflict.
Co-moderated the third GOP primary debate
Co-moderated the third GOP primary debate with Hugh Hewitt and Kristen Welker; the debate drew approximately 7.5 million viewers.
Conducted final interview with President Joe Biden before his withdrawal
Conducted the final interview with President Joe Biden prior to his decision to drop out of the 2024 race (as reported by NBC).
Continued role as Dateline host
Assumed full-time duties as host of the NBC news magazine 'Dateline' following departure from Nightly News.
Received William Allen White National Citation (University of Kansas)
Awarded the 2025 William Allen White National Citation in April 2025.
Stepped down as anchor of NBC Nightly News
Left NBC Nightly News after ten years to become the full-time host of Dateline NBC; final Nightly News sign-off May 30, 2025.
Featured NBC biography update as Dateline host
NBC News updated his profile noting his shift to full-time Dateline host and summarizing his major reporting trips and interviews.
Key Achievement Ages
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