Craig Melvin Biography
Craig Melvin is a well-respected American broadcast journalist who has been co-anchoring the first and second hours of NBC’s Today alongside Savannah Guthrie since January 2025. He also steps in as a fill-in and substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News. Before taking on his prominent role on Today, Melvin was a news anchor for the show from August 2018 until January 2025, and he became one of the permanent hosts of Today Third Hour in January 2019 after first joining the program in October 2018.
Melvin’s journey in journalism started quite early. While he was still in high school, he got his start at NBC affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, where he worked as an “Our Generation Reporter” from 1995 to 1997. After college, he returned to WIS-TV in July 2001 as a news photographer and producer, eventually moving up to become a reporter for the morning news team.
During this time, he gained recognition for his lively “Craig Cam” live segments. He continued to climb the ranks, anchoring weekend morning and evening newscasts before taking the lead on weekday broadcasts. While at WIS-TV, Melvin also created special reporting series that tackled important topics like education, homelessness, and various community issues impacting the residents of Columbia.
Craig Melvin Career
Melvin is a seasoned American journalist and television anchor, widely recognized for his contributions to NBC News and the Today show. He kicked off his career as a high school intern at WIS-TV in South Carolina and steadily climbed the ranks through various reporting and anchoring positions at WIS-TV and WRC-TV before making the leap to MSNBC and NBC News full-time.
Over the years, Melvin has established himself as a key national correspondent, reporting on significant events like school shootings, natural disasters, political trials, and the Olympics. He has also hosted shows such as MSNBC Live and Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. At NBC’s Today show, he transitioned from a contributing anchor to co-host, ultimately becoming the co-anchor for the first and second hours in January 2025, teaming up with Savannah Guthrie.
Beyond his responsibilities on Today, he sometimes steps in as anchor for NBC Nightly News and has been instrumental in NBC’s coverage of major events. In 2026, he decided to step back from his planned hosting duties for the Winter Olympics to stay in New York during a family emergency involving Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
Craig Melvin Age
How old is Craig? He is 47 years old as of 2026. Craig was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States of America. Besides, he commends his birthday on the 20th of May each year.
Craig Melvin Education
He was enrolled and graduated from Wofford College with a bachelor of arts degree in Government. Currently, Melvin is a member of the Kappa Sigma family who worked as a counselor for the South Carolina palmetto Boys State program.
Craig Melvin Nationality
Melvin is of American nationality and citizenship. Besides, he was born and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States of America. In addition, Craig belongs to the white heritage.
Craig Melvin Height | Measurements
Melvin stands approximately at the height of 5 feet 7 inches ( Approx. 1.70 m) tall, as Craig is a man of above-average stature. Nonetheless, he has not shared any details about his other body measurements in public places.
Craig Melvin Family | Parents
Melvin was born and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, in the United States to his caring, dedicated, and loving parents. Besides, his mother is known as Betty Melvin while his father is named Lawrence. In addition, he was brought up alongside his brother Ryan Melvin along with their older half-brother Rev. Lawrence Meadows. Sadly, his brother, Meadows, died at the age of 43 on December 9, 2020, after a long battle with colon cancer. Moreover, his father served as a post office employee.
Craig Melvin Wife | Children | Partner
He is happily married to his long-time girlfriend known as Lindsay Czarniak. Previously, Lindsay worked as an ESPN sports journalist and WRC television sports correspondent. In addition, the couple exchanged their wedding vows on October 15, 2011. Craig and Lindsay are proud parents of two children known as Sybil who was born in 2016 and Delano who was born in March 2014. Currently, the family resides in Connecticut.
Craig Melvin First Wife
Craig Melvin has only been married once. His wife is sports journalist Lindsay Czarniak, whom he tied the knot with in 2011. There’s no public record of a “first wife” or any previous marriage before her. The couple shares children and has been happily married since.
Craig Melvin Salary
Melvin generates his monthly income from working as an anchor and reporter for MSNBC News network based in New York. Therefore, Craig receives an annual estimated salary of $110,000
Craig Melvin’s Net Worth
He earns his income through his career as a reporter and anchor at MSNBC News network. Therefore, there is no doubt that Craig has accumulated decent wealth over the years. His average net worth is $3 million
Craig Melvin NBC Today
Craig Melvin has been co-anchoring the first and second hours of NBC’s Today alongside Savannah Guthrie since January 2025. He also steps in as a fill-in and substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News. Before taking on his prominent role on Today, Melvin was a news anchor for the show from August 2018 until January 2025, and he became one of the permanent hosts of Today Third Hour in January 2019 after first joining the program in October 2018.
Melvin’s journey in journalism started quite early. While he was still in high school, he got his start at NBC affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, where he worked as an “Our Generation Reporter” from 1995 to 1997. After college, he returned to WIS-TV in July 2001 as a news photographer and producer, eventually moving up to become a reporter for the morning news team. During this time, he gained recognition for his lively “Craig Cam” live segments. He continued to climb the ranks, anchoring weekend morning and evening newscasts before taking the lead on weekday broadcasts. While at WIS-TV, Melvin also created special reporting series that tackled important topics like education, homelessness, and various community issues impacting the residents of Columbia.
Craig Melvin WRC-TV
In July 2008, Melvin made the move to WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where he took the helm of the station’s weekend evening newscasts. Fast forward three years to July 2011, and he joined MSNBC as a daytime anchor, all while contributing reports to NBC News. Over time, Melvin became one of NBC’s most recognizable field reporters, diving into numerous major national stories and breaking news events.
He reported on significant happenings like the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the devastating Moore tornado in 2013, the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, and the highly publicized George Zimmerman trial. His coverage didn’t stop there; he also reported on the shooting of Michael Brown, the murder investigation of Hannah Graham, the Charleston church shooting, and the unrest following Freddie Gray’s death. In 2016, Melvin extensively covered the Dallas police shooting and joined NBC’s team for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
That same year, he took over from José Díaz-Balart as the anchor of MSNBC Live, a program that would later be rebranded as MSNBC Reports. In 2017, he broadened his television repertoire by hosting the true-crime series Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, which debuted on Oxygen in July 2017.
Is Craig Melvin Leaving the Today Show?
No, Craig Melvin is not leaving the Today Show. He continues to be a vital co-anchor of the program, having been promoted in January 2025 to co-host the first and second hours of the show. He also fills in as an anchor for NBC Nightly News. His decision to skip the Olympics or take short breaks doesn’t signal any plans to depart from the show.
Pyeongchang County 2018 Winter Olympics
Melvin continued to enhance his presence at NBC in 2018 when he traveled to Pyeongchang County for the network’s coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Later that year, he was promoted to weekday news anchor on Today and became part of the launch team for Today Third Hour. In December 2020, he also co-hosted NBC’s annual broadcast of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
In March 2022, Melvin announced he would step back from his MSNBC Reports duties to focus more on his growing responsibilities at Today. His career hit another high note on January 13, 2025, when he officially became co-anchor of Today alongside Savannah Guthrie, stepping into the role after Hoda Kotb‘s departure from the program.
Craig Melvin Skips the Olympics
Craig Melvin decided not to head to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan after stepping back from his planned hosting role with NBC. He was initially set to anchor parts of the Games but chose to stay in the U.S. instead. This choice was influenced by his desire to support his colleague Savannah Guthrie during a personal family crisis, which prompted several NBC hosts to rethink their Olympic coverage plans.
Why Isn’t Craig Melvin Going to the Olympics?
Melvin’s decision to withdraw from Olympic coverage was primarily a personal and professional one. He opted to remain in New York to be there for his co-anchor Savannah Guthrie during a tough family situation. NBC later confirmed that he wouldn’t be hosting the Games as originally intended, and another broadcaster was brought in to take his place.
Craig Melvin Voice Change
Some viewers have noted that Melvin’s voice can sound a bit hoarse or raspy compared to other anchors. However, there’s no confirmed medical reason or official explanation for this “voice change.” It’s generally seen as part of his natural speaking style rather than a health concern. Opinions among viewers vary, with some finding it unique and others simply considering it a stylistic trait of his broadcasting delivery.
