Craig Delano Melvin[1] (born May 20, 1979) is an American
broadcast journalist and anchor at
NBC News and
MSNBC. In August 2018, he became a news anchor on NBC's Today and, in October 2018, a co-host of Today Third Hour before being made permanent in January 2019.
Early life
Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in
Columbia, South Carolina, to Lawrence and Betty Melvin.[2][3][4] 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]
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.[14] He was later promoted to news anchor for the weekend morning newscast and the weekend evening newscasts before heading the weekday newscasts.[14] At WIS-TV, Melvin also created several series that covered issues affecting education and the homeless in Columbia, among others.[15][16]
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.[32] He was also promoted to weekday news anchor on
Today in September[33] and formed the cast of hosts heading Today Third Hour in October.[34]
In March 2022, Melvin announced he would be leaving his hour of MSNBC Reports to focus on Today.[36]
Personal life
Melvin married then-ESPN sports anchor and former WRC-TV sports reporter
Lindsay Czarniak on October 15, 2011.[37] They reside in
Connecticut and have a son, Delano (“Del”), who was born in March 2014,[38] and a daughter, Sybil (“Sibby”), who was born in November 2016.[39] Melvin is a Christian and attends a congregational church.[40]
Career timeline
2001–2008:
WIS-TV anchor and reporter, Columbia, S.C.
2018–present: Today news anchor, Today Third Hour host
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.[17]
In 2003 and 2005, Melvin shared in the
Emmy Awards won by WIS-TV for having the best newscast.[17]
In 2006, Melvin received an
Emmy Award for his work as news anchor.[16]
In 2007, he was named "Best Anchor" by the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association.[17][41]