Menu
Home Explore People Places Arts History Plants & Animals Science Life & Culture Technology
On this page
Craig Melvin
American television journalist

Craig Delano Melvin (born May 20, 1979) is an American broadcast journalist and anchor at NBC News and MSNBC. From August 2018 until January 2025, he was a news anchor on NBC's Today, in October 2018, a co-host of Today Third Hour before being made permanent host in January 2019, and in January 2025, he became a co-anchor for the first and second hours of Today. Melvin also serves as a fill-in & substitute anchor for the NBC Nightly News.

Related Image Collections Add Image
Profiles
1 Image
We don't have any YouTube videos related to Craig Melvin yet.
We don't have any PDF documents related to Craig Melvin yet.
We don't have any Books related to Craig Melvin yet.

Early life

Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Lawrence and Betty Melvin.234 He has a younger brother, Ryan Melvin,5 and an older half-brother, Rev. Lawrence Meadows,6 who died from colon cancer on December 9, 2020 at the age of 43.7

In 1996, he was elected as the first African-American president of Key Club International.8 In 2001, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Wofford College.910 He is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and also served as a senior counselor for South Carolina's Palmetto Boys State program.111213

Career

Melvin first joined NBC-affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina as a high school student, working as an "Our Generation Reporter" from 1995 to 1997.14

After college, he returned to WIS in July 2001 as a news photographer and producer, before becoming a reporter for the station's morning news team, producing his "Craig Cam" live segments.15 He was later promoted to news anchor for the weekend morning newscast and the weekend evening newscasts before heading the weekday newscasts.16 At WIS-TV, Melvin also created several series that covered issues affecting education and the homeless in Columbia, among others.1718

In July 2008, Melvin left WIS-TV to join NBC's owned-and-operated station in Washington, D.C., WRC-TV, where he anchored the weekend evening newscasts.1920

Three years later, in July 2011, Melvin departed WRC-TV for MSNBC to become a daytime anchor, while also contributing to NBC News as a reporter.21 In 2012, Melvin anchored MSNBC's coverage of the national conventions for the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as TV One's Election Night coverage, in partnership with NBC News.22 He also covered the Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012.23 In 2013, he covered the Moore tornado in May,24 as well as the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 21425 and the George Zimmerman trial in July.2627 In 2014, Melvin covered the shooting of Michael Brown in August28 and the murder of Hannah Graham in September.29 In 2015, he covered the Charleston church shooting30 as well as the death of Freddie Gray in June.31 In 2016, Melvin covered the mass shooting of Dallas police officers in July32 and was also among the NBC reporters covering the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.33 That same year, he also succeeded José Díaz-Balart as an anchor of MSNBC Live, which would become MSNBC Reports.34

In 2017, Melvin hosted his own true crime series Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. It premiered on Oxygen in July 21.

In 2018, Melvin reported from Pyeongchang County for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in February.35 He was also promoted to weekday news anchor on Today in September36 and formed the cast of hosts heading Today Third Hour in October.37

In December 2020, Melvin co-hosted NBC's annual broadcast of the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.38

In March 2022, Melvin announced he would be leaving his hour of MSNBC Reports to focus on Today.39

On January 13, 2025, Melvin stepped into the co-anchor chair alongside Savannah Guthrie and replaced Hoda Kotb, who left the program the week before.40

Personal life

Melvin married then-ESPN sports anchor and former WRC-TV sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak on October 15, 2011.41 They reside in Connecticut and have a son, Delano (“Del”), who was born in March 2014,42 and a daughter, Sybil (“Sibby”), who was born in November 2016.43 Melvin is a Christian and attends a congregational church.44

Career timeline

Awards

In 1996, Melvin received an Associated Press award for his story on innovative teaching, making him one of the youngest recipients to ever receive such an award.45

In 2003 and 2005, Melvin shared in the Emmy Awards won by WIS-TV for having the best newscast.46

In 2006, Melvin received an Emmy Award for his work as news anchor.47

In 2007, he was named "Best Anchor" by the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association.4849

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Craig Melvin.

References

  1. "On Love: Romance at NBC4". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 16, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/on-love-romance-at-nbc4/2011/10/17/gIQA0NXStL_gallery.html#photo=2 ↩

  2. Ray, Helen (May 17, 2019). "Happy 40th birthday, Craig Melvin! TODAY gang shares what they love about him". Today. https://www.today.com/popculture/happy-40th-birthday-craig-melvin-today-gang-shares-what-they-t154382 ↩

  3. "1997-98 Bill 4118: Mr. Craig D. Melvin, Resolutions - South Carolina Legislature Online". Retrieved November 6, 2011. http://scsenate.gov/sess112_1997-1998/bills/4118.htm ↩

  4. Quinn, Ryan (October 3, 2011). "'There's nothing like going home'". The Daily Gamecock. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111026193823/http://www.dailygamecock.com/news/item/2346-theres-nothing-like-going-home ↩

  5. "Craig Melvin's brother drops by TODAY for a surprise visit". Today. April 11, 2019. https://www.today.com/video/craig-melvin-s-brother-drops-by-today-for-a-surprise-visit-1488257603804 ↩

  6. Bushong, Steven (March 29, 2018). "Craig Melvin: A brother, an advocate". Colorectal Cancer Alliance. https://www.ccalliance.org/blog/get-involved/craig-melvin-a-brother-an-advocate ↩

  7. Stump, Scott (December 12, 2020). "Craig Melvin's brother Lawrence dies from colon cancer at age 43". Today. https://www.today.com/health/craig-melvin-s-brother-lawrence-dies-colon-cancer-age-43-t203639 ↩

  8. "Kiwanis International | Learning to Give". www.learningtogive.org. Retrieved July 30, 2020. https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/kiwanis-international ↩

  9. "NBC's Melvin speaks at Wofford 161st Commencement". Wofford College. May 17, 2015. https://www.wofford.edu/about/news/news-archives/2015/nbcs-melvin-speaks-at-wofford-161st-commencement ↩

  10. Mitchell Brasington, Jo Ann (July 1, 2017). "In NYC: Craig Melvin '01". Wofford College. https://www.wofford.edu/about/news/wofford-today/archive/2017/summer/in-nyc ↩

  11. "South Carolina African American Calendar // Honorees". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120425142522/http://www.scafricanamerican.com/honorees/view/2009/9/ ↩

  12. "Wofford College - Craig Melvin". Wofford.edu. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194735/http://www.wofford.edu/about/youngleaders/craigmelvin/ ↩

  13. "Craig Melvin | LinkedIn". Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. https://archive.today/20120910194746/http://www.linkedin.com/pub/craig-melvin/7/9a7/9a8 ↩

  14. "Craig Melvin". South Carolina African American History Calendar. https://scafricanamerican.com/honorees/craig-melvin/ ↩

  15. "Craig Melvin". South Carolina African American History Calendar. https://scafricanamerican.com/honorees/craig-melvin/ ↩

  16. "Craig Melvin". South Carolina African American History Calendar. https://scafricanamerican.com/honorees/craig-melvin/ ↩

  17. Melvin, Craig (November 10, 2005). "School Swap: Opportunities". WIS News. https://www.wistv.com/story/4103510/school-swap-opportunities/ ↩

  18. "WIS' Craig Melvin wins Emmy". WIS News. June 19, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.wistv.com/story/5050809/wis-craig-melvin-wins-emmy ↩

  19. "Wishing Craig the best!". WIS News. July 21, 2008. https://www.wistv.com/story/8710748/wishing-craig-the-best/ ↩

  20. Knox, Merrill (July 27, 2011). "WRC's Craig Melvin Joins MNSBC As Dayside Anchor". TVSpy. https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wrcs-craig-melvin-joins-mnsbc-as-dayside-anchor/17346/ ↩

  21. Knox, Merrill (July 27, 2011). "WRC's Craig Melvin Joins MNSBC As Dayside Anchor". TVSpy. https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wrcs-craig-melvin-joins-mnsbc-as-dayside-anchor/17346/ ↩

  22. Morabito, Andrea (August 8, 2012). "NBC News, TV One Partner on Election Coverage". Multichannel News. https://www.multichannel.com/news/nbc-news-tv-one-partner-election-coverage-360249 ↩

  23. Kellam, Mark (December 17, 2012). "Rep. Schiff joins calls for fresh look at gun control laws". Glendale News-Press. https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-818-1217-rep-schiff-joins-calls-for-fresh-look-at-gun-control-laws-story.html ↩

  24. "No space for politics after Oklahoma tornado devastation". MSNBC. May 22, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.msnbc.com/hardball/watch/no-space-for-politics-after-oklahoma-tornado-devastation-31109699689 ↩

  25. "Flight 214 crash survivor recounts ordeal". MSNBC. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/flight-214-crash-survivor-recounts-ordeal-36353603919 ↩

  26. "The Justice Department and George Zimmerman". Msnbc.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.msnbc.com/martin-bashir/watch/the-justice-department-and-george-zimmerman-37278787519 ↩

  27. Sakuma, Amanda (July 13, 2013). "George Zimmerman found not guilty in death of Trayvon Martin". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/george-zimmerman-found-not-guilty-death ↩

  28. "Michael Brown's Parents Brace for Funeral and Call for Peace". NBC News. August 25, 2014. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/michael-brown-shooting/michael-browns-parents-brace-funeral-call-peace-n187951 ↩

  29. Melvin, Craig; Chuck, Elizabeth (September 23, 2014). "Hannah Graham Case: New Charges for Suspect in UVA Student Case". NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hannah-graham-case-new-charges-suspect-uva-student-case-n210141 ↩

  30. Sarlin, Benjy; Margolin, Emma (June 19, 2015). "Dylann Roof charged with murder after Charleston church massacre". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/charleston-massacre-dylann-roof-confesses ↩

  31. "Whats Freddie Gray's autopsy reveals about his death". MSNBC. June 24, 2015. https://www.msnbc.com/newsnation/watch/freddie-grays-death-ruled-a-homicide-470593091891 ↩

  32. Schuppe, Jon (July 8, 2016). "How a Peaceful Protest in Dallas Became a Deadly Cop Ambush". NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/dallas-police-ambush/how-peaceful-protest-dallas-became-deadly-cop-ambush-n605926 ↩

  33. "NBC OLYMPICS COMPLETES ROSTER OF REPORTERS IN RIO". NBC Sports Group Press Box. June 8, 2016. https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2016/06/08/nbc-olympics-completes-roster-of-reporters-in-rio/ ↩

  34. Steinberg, Bryan (July 13, 2016). "Jose Diaz-Balart Named Anchor of Saturday Edition of 'NBC Nightly News' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/jose-diaz-balart-nbc-nightly-news-saturday-1201813657/ ↩

  35. "NBC News Goes To Pyeongchang For The 2018 Winter Olympics". Comcast. January 16, 2018. https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/nbc-news-goes-to-pyeongchang-for-the-2018-winter-olympics ↩

  36. Hipes, Patrick (September 4, 2018). "Craig Melvin Promoted To Weekday 'Today' News Anchor". Deadline. https://deadline.com/2018/09/craig-melvin-today-co-anchor-promotion-1202456726/ ↩

  37. Hill, Michael P. (November 12, 2018). "'Today Third Hour' settling into Megyn Kelly's old studio". NewscastStudio. https://www.newscaststudio.com/2018/11/12/megyn-kelly-old-studio-today-show/ ↩

  38. Henderson, Cydney (December 3, 2020). "Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting: Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson and Jimmy Fallon sleigh it". USA Today. Retrieved December 5, 2020. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/12/02/rockefeller-center-tree-lighting-dolly-parton-and-jimmy-fallon-sleigh/3800908001/ ↩

  39. Johnson, Ted (March 15, 2022). "Craig Melvin To Step Back From MSNBC Show To Focus On 'Today'". Deadline. Retrieved March 15, 2022. https://deadline.com/2022/03/craig-melvin-msnbc-today-nbc-news-1234978712/ ↩

  40. "Craig Melvin to join Savannah Guthrie as TODAY co-anchor in January 2025". TODAY.com. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024. https://www.today.com/news/craig-melvin-co-anchor-today-show-january-2025-rcna180107 ↩

  41. "Media Match: Lindsay Czarniak And Craig Melvin Get Married". Huffington Post. October 18, 2011. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/lindsay-czarniak-wedding_n_1017573.html ↩

  42. Heil, Emily (March 11, 2014). "Lindsay Czarniak, Craig Melvin welcome baby boy Delano "Del"". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 29, 2014. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2014/03/11/lyndsay-czarniak-craig-melvin-welcome-baby-boy/ ↩

  43. Petit, Stephanie (November 6, 2016). "Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak Welcome Daughter Sybil 'Sibby' Ann". People. Retrieved February 1, 2019. https://people.com/parents/lindsay-czarniak-craig-melvin-welcome-daughter-sibby-second-child/ ↩

  44. "Full video: Savannah Guthrie talks faith with TODAY co-anchors". YouTube. February 21, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CqbxvJmjaI ↩

  45. "Wishing Craig the best!". WIS News. July 21, 2008. https://www.wistv.com/story/8710748/wishing-craig-the-best/ ↩

  46. "Wishing Craig the best!". WIS News. July 21, 2008. https://www.wistv.com/story/8710748/wishing-craig-the-best/ ↩

  47. "WIS' Craig Melvin wins Emmy". WIS News. June 19, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.wistv.com/story/5050809/wis-craig-melvin-wins-emmy ↩

  48. "Wishing Craig the best!". WIS News. July 21, 2008. https://www.wistv.com/story/8710748/wishing-craig-the-best/ ↩

  49. In 2023, he was named “man of the year” by the kappa sigma fraternity. "Craig Melvin named Anchor of the Year by SCBA". Wistv.com. August 12, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2018. http://www.wistv.com/story/6919814/craig-melvin-named-anchor-of-the-year-by-scba ↩