Former Today cohost and sports journalist Bryant Gumbel has lived a quiet life mostly out of the spotlight since he retired from television work in 2023.
Gumbel’s last TV project was his sports talk show, Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, which came to an end on HBO after 29 years in December 2023. After the show’s conclusion was announced, Gumbel, now 77, shared his own plans to step away from the TV world.
“Nothing happened, other than I knew my contract was coming out, it was ending, and I had to ask myself, Did I want to do another three years? Could I do another three years?” Gumbel told CBS News at the time. “And the answer was, probably not. My heart wouldn’t be in it. I’m OK with that. I’m at peace with it.”
Since then, Gumbel has made occasional appearances at public events, with the latest being the New York premiere of the Apple TV+ film Echo Valley in June. He posed on the red carpet alongside his wife, Hilary Gumbel, whom he married in 2002. (Bryant was previously married to June Baranco from 1973 to 2001. The exes share kids Bradley, 47, and Jillian, 41.)
NBC’s Today viewers probably noticed that Al Roker has not been in the studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza this week. The three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner has been a full-time member of the Today on-air team since 1996 when he replaced legendary weatherman Willard Scott. (Scott delivered Today’s weather reports for 35 years before moving […]
Bryant and Hilary also made an appearance at the world premiere of Apple’s Fountain of Youth film in New York in May. Additionally, Bryant presented Today cohost Al Roker with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Awards in June. (Bryant was a host on Today from 1982 to 1977.)
“So very proud yet humble to receive the @theemmys.tv Lifetime Achievement Award and given to me by a dear friend, Bryant Gumbel,” Roker, 71, wrote via Instagram at the time. “Having my brother, @christopher_roker and his wife, @hardyroker and @nickroker155 was meaningful. And congratulations to @debrobertsabc being inducted into the Silver Circle. Thanks, @adamsharpct for a terrific night.”
Bryant made headlines on Tuesday, October 21, when TMZ reported that the talk show alum had been hospitalized after a “medical emergency.” He was reportedly transported from his apartment building in Manhattan to a local hospital after 9 p.m. on Monday, October 20.
Hilary Gumbel, Bryant Gumbel Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
Bryant was reportedly still in the hospital as of Tuesday, with one of his family members telling the outlet that he is “OK.” However, they did not share further details about the sports commentator’s health.
Bryant has previously experienced health struggles, as he revealed in 2009 that he had surgery to remove a malignant tumor and part of his lung.
“It’s nothing to hide from,” he explained on Live With Regis and Kelly at the time. “They opened up my chest, they took a malignant tumor and they took part of my lung and they took some other goodies. And the pathology on most of the stuff had been benign, but enough aggressive cells had escaped the tumor that it warranted some treatment and I went through that and it’s done now.”
The following year, Bryant told People, “I’m still doing well. Doctors tell me I’m free and clear, so I hope for better times.”
Bryant’s hospitalization comes less than one year after the death of his brother, fellow sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel, who died at age 78 in December 2024.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” Greg’s wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter Michelle said in a statement at the time. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity.”
The statement continued, “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten. Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”
