Editing Lester Holt (section)

==Career==
Holt spent 19 years with [[CBS]], as a reporter, anchor, and international correspondent.
[[File:2005_Lester_Holt_on_Weekend_Today.jpg|thumb|left|Holt hosting ''[[Weekend Today]]'' in 2005, cooking live on the streets of [[New York City]]]]

In 1981, he was hired as a reporter for [[WCBS-TV]] in New York City. In 1982, he became a reporter and weekend anchor on [[KNXT (Los Angeles)|KNXT]] in Los Angeles, and the next year he returned to WCBS-TV as a reporter and weekend anchor. In 1986, Holt moved to [[WBBM-TV]] in Chicago, where he spent 14&nbsp;years anchoring the evening news. Holt not only worked at the anchor desk but also reported extensively from troubled spots around the world, including Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador and Haiti.<ref name="Bio" />

Holt joined [[MSNBC]] in 2000. In 2003, he assumed full-time duties at [[NBC News]], where he became a substitute anchor for ''NBC Nightly News'' and ''Today''. Holt became a full-time co-anchor of ''[[Weekend Today]]'' following the death of previous co-anchor [[David Bloom]].<ref name=Meadows>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150151,00.html |title=National Newshound |last=Meadows |first=Bob |date=May 24, 2004 |work=People |access-date=March 25, 2009 |volume=61 |issue=20 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194137/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150151,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Until late 2005, he also anchored a two-hour daily newscast on MSNBC. On May 9, 2007, Holt was named anchor of the weekend edition of ''NBC Nightly News'', anchoring the show for eight years before replacing Brian Williams as permanent anchor of the weekday edition.<ref name="NY Daily News">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-anchor-keeping-real-article-1.254177 |title=TV anchor keeping it real |last=Hinckley |first=David |date=May 13, 2007 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 25, 2009 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015140307/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-anchor-keeping-real-article-1.254177 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Holt is the current host for NBC's Dateline. He moderated a presidential debate in 2016, and interviewed President Donald Trump in 2017, where fellow journalists said that he asked tough but appropriate questions. 
[[File:2010 Lester Holt during airdrop mission by US Air Force.jpg|thumb|right|Holt in 2010 photographed by the [[United States Air Force]] while reporting on an airdrop mission in Afghanistan]]

In addition to his primary responsibilities at NBC News, he hosted a special for [[History (U.S. TV channel)|The History Channel]] about the [[9/11 conspiracy theories]], served as a sportsdesk reporter for [[NBC Sports]] coverage of the [[2008 Summer Olympics]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/07/your_nbc_olympics_lineup.html |title=Your NBC Olympics lineup |work=Medium Well |publisher=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 16, 2008 |last=Frager |first=Ray |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130165640/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/07/your_nbc_olympics_lineup.html |archive-date=November 30, 2009}}</ref> and is the host of ''Dateline on ID,'' an edition of ''[[Dateline NBC]]'' shown on the [[Investigation Discovery]] network.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Discovery Times Channel Becomes Investigation Discovery on January 27, With Slate of New Fact-Based Programming |url=http://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-news/discovery-times-channel-becomes-investigation-disc/ |publisher=Discovery Channel |date=January 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310175525/http://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-news/discovery-times-channel-becomes-investigation-disc/ |archive-date=March 10, 2009  }}</ref>  In 2008, he narrated a documentary regarding actual crystal skulls on the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci-Fi Channel]].

When [[Brian Williams]] took medical leave in 2013 for knee replacement surgery, Holt filled in as weekday anchor. In 2015, Williams was suspended for reportedly exaggerating a story about the Iraq War, and Holt permanently replaced him as ''NBC Nightly News'' anchor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/brian-williams-take-self-nightly-news-next-several-days-n302181 |title=Brian Williams to Take Self Off Nightly News for 'Next Several Days' |work=NBC News |date=February 7, 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209041832/http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/brian-williams-take-self-nightly-news-next-several-days-n302181 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/02/nbc-news-brian-williams-suspended-without-pay-202425.html |title=NBC News: Brian Williams suspended for 6 months without pay |first=Dylan |last=Byers |work=POLITICO |date=February 10, 2015 |access-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211040543/http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/02/nbc-news-brian-williams-suspended-without-pay-202425.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Permanent" />
[[File:Dr Holly Bamford talks with Lester Holt from NBC Nightly News.jpg|thumb|left|Holt interviewing Dr. Holly Bamford of the [[National Ocean Service]] and [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] in 2013]]

Holt moderated the Democratic presidential candidates' debate in January 2016, alongside a panel of NBC political reporters,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lester Holt To Moderate First Democrat Debate Of 2016 |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/lester-holt-moderate-democratic-debate-january-2016-1201668048/ |website=Deadline |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222162852/http://deadline.com/2015/12/lester-holt-moderate-democratic-debate-january-2016-1201668048/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as the [[United States presidential election debates, 2016|first presidential debate]] on September 26, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=CPD Announces 2016 Debate Moderators |url=http://www.debates.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=63&cntnt01origid=27&cntnt01detailtemplate=newspage&cntnt01returnid=80 |publisher=Commission on Presidential Debates |access-date=September 2, 2016 |archive-date=September 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904092224/http://debates.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=63&cntnt01origid=27&cntnt01detailtemplate=newspage&cntnt01returnid=80 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to the debate, presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] said that this was "a very unfair system" because "Lester is a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]" (Holt was at the time a registered [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. He changed his party affiliation to independent in 2018).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/25/5-things-to-know-about-presidential-debate-moderator-lester-holt/ |title=5 things to know about presidential debate moderator Lester Holt |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=February 17, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217145348/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/25/5-things-to-know-about-presidential-debate-moderator-lester-holt/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "journal-isms.com" /> Afterward, Donald Trump said that Holt did "a good job". Journalists also said that Holt performed admirably; for example he challenged Trump when Trump said that he originally opposed the war in Iraq, which was proven to be a false statement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/moderator-lester-holt-scrutiny-debate-42366378 |title=Moderator Lester Holt Works to Keep Control of Debate |work=ABC News |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929230237/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/moderator-lester-holt-scrutiny-debate-42366378 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Uberti|first1=David|title=Sizing up Lester Holt's low-key debate performance|url=https://www.cjr.org/criticism/lester_holt_debate_moderator_trump_clinton.php?newsletter|work=Columbia Journalism Review|language=en|date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=October 28, 2020|access-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028123213/https://www.cjr.org/criticism/lester_holt_debate_moderator_trump_clinton.php?newsletter|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' said "Kudos to Holt" for making it clear that [[stop and frisk]] was ruled unconstitutional in New York, when Trump said it wasn't.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/09/28/trumps-false-claim-that-stop-and-frisk-was-not-ruled-unconstitutional/ Trump's false claim that stop and frisk in NYC wasn't ruled unconstitutional] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229061222/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/09/28/trumps-false-claim-that-stop-and-frisk-was-not-ruled-unconstitutional/ |date=December 29, 2017 }}, By Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, September 28, 2016</ref>

In May 2017, when Holt interviewed President Trump, they discussed Trump's [[Dismissal of James Comey|firing of FBI director James Comey.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch Lester Holt's Extended Interview With President Trump |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/pres-trump-s-extended-exclusive-interview-with-lester-holt-at-the-white-house-941854787582 |website=[[NBC News]] |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2018 |type=video |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810040248/https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/pres-trump-s-extended-exclusive-interview-with-lester-holt-at-the-white-house-941854787582 |url-status=live }}</ref> Holt's interview with Trump resulted in extensive media coverage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lawrence: Flynn guilty plea means walls are closing in on Trump |url=https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-flynn-guilty-plea-means-walls-are-closing-in-on-trump-1108101187858 |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219180915/http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-flynn-guilty-plea-means-walls-are-closing-in-on-trump-1108101187858? |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[Transcript http://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/the-last-word {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501195452/http://www.msnbc.com/transcripts/the-last-word |date=May 1, 2018 }}]</ref>

In 2020, Holt extensively covered the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and saw a spike in ratings alongside the other evening news shows.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/business/media/coronavirus-evening-news.html | title=The Evening News is Back | work=The New York Times | date=March 24, 2020 | last1=Koblin | first1=John }}</ref> He also sometimes ended his shows with monologues, reflecting on the pandemic and its impact. He also ended his show with a monologue after the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6 Capitol Attack]], criticizing Trump and the culture of disinformation that led to the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-08 |title=NBC's Lester Holt Closes Nightly News: Capitol Attack is 'Not Only Un-American, it is Cruel' |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/nbcs-lester-holt-closes-nightly-news-with-towering-commentary-capitol-attack-is-not-only-un-american-it-is-cruel/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Mediaite |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330023320/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/nbcs-lester-holt-closes-nightly-news-with-towering-commentary-capitol-attack-is-not-only-un-american-it-is-cruel/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-03 |title=Lester Holt Offers Somber Monologue on Covid Risks |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/this-is-not-a-hoax-lester-holt-offers-somber-reminder-of-covid-risks-after-trump-tests-positive/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Mediaite |language=en |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411011408/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/this-is-not-a-hoax-lester-holt-offers-somber-reminder-of-covid-risks-after-trump-tests-positive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Holt announced the death of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in an NBC News Special Report,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07TX3u34lgs | title=Queen Elizabeth II Dies 'Peacefully' at Age 96 | website=[[YouTube]] | date=September 8, 2022 | access-date=January 28, 2024 | archive-date=January 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128184042/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07TX3u34lgs | url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2023, he interviewed [[Ebrahim Raisi]], president of Iran.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/full-transcript-read-lester-holts-interview-iranian-president-ebrahim-rcna104913 | title=Full Transcript: Read Lester Holt's interview with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi | website=[[NBC News]] | date=September 13, 2023 | access-date=January 28, 2024 | archive-date=January 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128184042/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/full-transcript-read-lester-holts-interview-iranian-president-ebrahim-rcna104913 | url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2023, Holt traveled to [[Israel]] to cover the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel|2023 Hamas attack on Israel]], and the ongoing [[Israel–Hamas war|Israel-Hamas War]]<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/10/09/journalists-israel-hamas-coverage-danger/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406041148/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/10/09/journalists-israel-hamas-coverage-danger/ |date=April 6, 2024 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> On November 8, 2023, he co-moderated the third [[2024 Republican Party presidential debates and forums|GOP Primary Debate]], alongside [[Hugh Hewitt]] and [[Kristen Welker]].<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/25/lester-holt-kristen-welker-and-hugh-hewitt-to-moderate-third-gop-debate-00123599 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130204806/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/25/lester-holt-kristen-welker-and-hugh-hewitt-to-moderate-third-gop-debate-00123599 |date=January 30, 2024 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> The debate drew 7.5 million viewers.<ref>https://www.axios.com/2023/11/10/third-gop-debate-viewership-ratings-drop-no-trump {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130204807/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/10/third-gop-debate-viewership-ratings-drop-no-trump |date=January 30, 2024 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> Since 2020, Holt has signed off by saying "I'm Lester Holt; please take care of yourself, and each other. Good night"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1435504 | title=Lester Holt signs off. &#124; Vanderbilt Television News Archive | access-date=February 20, 2024 | archive-date=August 16, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816093344/https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1435504 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://qctimes.com/opinion/letters/letter-be-good-to-each-other/article_f0251a0e-904a-513f-8a33-d6ac193b2ec3.html | title=Letter: Be good to each other | date=September 4, 2020 | access-date=February 20, 2024 | archive-date=February 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220014736/https://qctimes.com/opinion/letters/letter-be-good-to-each-other/article_f0251a0e-904a-513f-8a33-d6ac193b2ec3.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other work===
Holt has made cameo appearances in the 1993 film ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]],'' its 1998 sequel ''[[U.S. Marshals (film)|U.S. Marshals]],'' and ''[[Primal Fear (film)|Primal Fear]]'' (1996), as well as on television shows, playing himself in episodes of ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''; the episode "Red, White, or Blue" of the series ''[[Due South]]''; "Fate" of ''[[Early Edition]]'' and "A New Hope" of ''[[Warehouse 13]].'' He appeared on the episode "[[Cleveland (30 Rock episode)|Cleveland]]" of the NBC sitcom ''[[30 Rock]].'' He also did a voice-over in the episode "[[Sandwich Day]]," announcing that [[Jack Donaghy]] would be a new cabinet member in the Bush administration. Holt announced the 2006, 2007, and 2008 [[Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show]] for the [[USA Network]], and was featured in [[Making Music Magazine|''Making Music'' magazine]]. He also hosted the 2008 [[Sci-Fi Channel]] documentary ''[[Mystery of the Crystal Skulls]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4846494&page=1|title='Indiana Jones': Real Archaeologists Don't Have Whips|last=Germain|first=David|date=May 16, 2008|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025144940/https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4846494&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2008/05/17/mystery-of-the-crystal-skulls-sci-fi-channel-special-digs-into-prophecy/|title='Mystery of the Crystal Skulls' Sci Fi Channel special digs into prophecy|date=May 17, 2008|website=[[TwinCities.com]]. [[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022002219/https://www.twincities.com/2008/05/17/mystery-of-the-crystal-skulls-sci-fi-channel-special-digs-into-prophecy/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 31, 2020, Holt delivered a virtual commencement speech for the 254th graduating class of [[Rutgers University]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].