i m tom brokaw with jane pauley and uncle willard, the newest member of the today family. reporter: willard came from wrc-tv in washington. and sunshine will come reporter: where he was the weather man. he began in 1950 at wrc and helped to create the popular joy boys radio program. willard played bozo the clown and even was the first ronald mcdonald. he s ronald mcdonald the hamburger happy clown reporter: he loved a laugh at his own expense. he s been juggling my career for 40 years. reporter: willard walked across the united states. maybe scattered showers by sunday. reporter: and traveled the world with today. somewhere out in the saudi desert. this is spectacular. reporter: viewers loved his birthday tributes. happy birthday to all of our friends who have birthdays today. a bunch of us get together