After a decade at the helm of “NBC Nightly News,” Lester Holt bid farewell on Friday, describing his time as the program’s anchor as the “honor of a lifetime.” As he wrapped up his final newscast from the iconic 30 Rock studio, the 66-year-old journalist expressed his gratitude to viewers, stating, “As an anchor, it has been an honor to lead this program and an honor to be welcomed into your homes. I’m so grateful for your trust.”
During his emotional sign-off, Holt, who will continue his work with NBC through “Dateline” after 15 years in that role, took a moment to thank his colleagues and family. He emphasized the importance of journalism during challenging times, saying, “Around here, facts matter, words matter, journalism matters, and you matter.” He reflected on the last ten years, acknowledging the dark moments the country has faced, including the pandemic and numerous natural disasters. To conclude on a hopeful note, he often sought to leave viewers with uplifting stories that foster connection.
As he stood alongside emotional coworkers, Holt shared that he would miss spending evenings with his audience. He extended well wishes to his successor, Tom Llamas, who will take over the anchor desk starting Monday, wishing him “great success.” Before signing off, he encouraged everyone to “please continue to take care of yourself and each other, and I’ll do the same,” following a tribute video that highlighted his impactful reporting and interviews.
Holt’s career began in 1981 at CBS, and he joined NBC News in 2003, where he held various positions over his 22 years with the network. Appointed anchor of “Nightly News” in 2015, Holt took over following the fall from grace of Brian Williams, who resigned after falsely claiming he was aboard a helicopter that came under fire in Iraq. Under Holt’s leadership, “NBC Nightly News” has faced challenges, remaining in second place in the ratings behind ABC.
Recently, Holt revealed his decision to leave the anchor role was motivated by a desire to return to reporting, allowing him to explore different facets of journalism. “I never saw myself doing this job forever,” he remarked, adding, “People say it’s been a great run. It’s like, well, I’m still running.”