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Craig Melvin (American Journalist)
Craig Melvin’s height may be one of the most searched facts about him, but there is far more to this man than a number. He is one of the most recognized faces in American broadcast journalism — a co-anchor on NBC’s flagship morning program, Today, and a trusted name at MSNBC. He did not get there overnight. It took decades of hard work, starting from a small television station in Columbia, South Carolina, where he first stepped in front of a camera as a teenager back in 1995.
Born Craig Delano Melvin on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, he grew up in a blue-collar household with strong values and a clear sense of purpose. From the beginning, journalism was not just a career choice for him — it was a calling. By the time most teenagers were figuring out their future, Craig was already reporting live on local television.
His journey from that small NBC affiliate, WIS-TV, to the national spotlight at NBC News is the kind of story that inspires. He covered landmark moments in American history — the Sandy Hook tragedy, the George Zimmerman trial, the Rio Olympics, and the shooting of Dallas police officers, among many others. He has sat across from presidents, celebrities, and everyday people carrying extraordinary stories. Each assignment shaped him into the broadcaster millions of Americans trust every morning.
In January 2025, he reached a new milestone — becoming co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today, alongside Savannah Guthrie. It was a moment that reflected not just professional achievement, but years of quiet consistency in one of the most competitive industries in the world.
| Full Name | Craig Delano Melvin |
| Date of Birth | May 20, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Profession | Broadcast Journalist, Television Anchor, Author |
| Employer | NBC News / MSNBC |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Government, Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina |
| Career Start | WIS-TV, Columbia, South Carolina (1995 — as teenage “Our Generation Reporter”) |
| Current Role | Co-Anchor, First and Second Hours of NBC’s Today — alongside Savannah Guthrie |
| Notable Coverage | Sandy Hook Shooting, George Zimmerman Trial, Michael Brown Shooting, Dallas Police Shooting, Rio Olympics, Winter Olympics Pyeongchang |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 6–7 in (estimated; not officially confirmed) |
| Marital Status | Married to Lindsay Czarniak (October 15, 2011) |
| Children | Delano “Del” Melvin (born March 2014); Sybil “Sibby” Melvin (born November 2016) |
| Parents | Lawrence Melvin (father); Betty Melvin (mother) |
| Siblings | Ryan Melvin (younger brother); Rev. Lawrence Meadows (older half-brother, deceased December 9, 2020) |
| Awards | Emmy Award (2006); Best Anchor — South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$14 million combined with spouse (estimated; not officially confirmed) |
| Salary | Estimated $5 million – $6 million annually (post-2025 contract; not officially confirmed) |
| Residence | Connecticut, United States |
Early Life and Education
Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in a blue-collar household, raised by his parents Lawrence Melvin and Betty Melvin. Family was always at the center of his world. He has a younger brother, Ryan Melvin, and had an older half-brother, Reverend Lawrence Meadows, a pastor who passed away from colon cancer on December 9, 2020, at just 43 years old. That loss hit Craig deeply and later pushed him to become a public advocate for colorectal cancer awareness — a cause he continues to champion with genuine passion.
Education and Academic Life
For college, Craig chose Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina — a small liberal arts institution with a strong academic reputation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. During his time there, he was an active member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. His focus on government studies sharpened his political awareness, which later proved invaluable when covering elections, national conventions, and major policy stories throughout his journalism career.
Early Start in Journalism
Craig did not wait for a diploma to begin his career. At just 15 years old, he walked into WIS-TV — an NBC affiliate in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina — and started reporting. From 1995 to 1997, he worked as an “Our Generation Reporter,” covering stories aimed at young audiences. That early experience was rare and remarkable. Around the same time, in 1996, he made history by becoming the first African-American ever elected president of Key Club International — a leadership milestone that signaled exactly the kind of person he was becoming.
Career Timeline and Professional Journey
Craig Melvin’s broadcasting career started earlier than most. While still in high school, he joined WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, as a teenage reporter in 1995. After graduating from Wofford College in 2001, he returned to that same station — but this time with bigger responsibilities. He started as a news photographer and producer, then quickly moved up to become a morning reporter, known for his popular live “Craig Cam” segments. Eventually, he became the main anchor for weekday newscasts. During his time at WIS-TV, he also created special investigative series focusing on critical community issues like education and homelessness in Columbia. His hard work did not go unnoticed. He won an Emmy Award for his reporting in 2006 and was named Best Anchor by the South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association — a proud achievement for a young journalist still building his name.
Rise to National Television (2008–2018)
In July 2008, Craig made a defining career move — leaving WIS-TV to join WRC-TV, the NBC-owned station in Washington, D.C. There he anchored weekend evening newscasts and continued to sharpen his skills in a much larger media market. It was also at WRC-TV where he met his future wife, Lindsay Czarniak.
In July 2011, he took his biggest leap yet — joining MSNBC and NBC News as a full-time anchor. The national stage suited him. In 2012, he anchored coverage of both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, co-anchoring TV One’s Election Night coverage alongside NBC News. Then came a string of major assignments that cemented his reputation as a serious journalist. He covered the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the George Zimmerman trial in 2013, the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014, the Charleston church shootings in 2015, and the mass shooting of Dallas police officers in 2016.
That same year, he served as NBC’s official reporter at the Rio Summer Olympics. In 2017, he hosted his own true crime series, Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, which premiered on Oxygen. In February 2018, he filed special reports from Pyeongchang, South Korea, during the Winter Olympics. Each assignment added a new layer to an already impressive career.
NBC Today Show and Current Role
August 2018 marked a major turning point. Craig Melvin was named a news anchor on NBC’s Today — one of the most watched morning programs in American television history. In October 2018, he stepped in as co-host of Today Third Hour, and by January 2019, that role was made permanent.
In March 2022, he stepped away from his MSNBC Reports hour to focus entirely on Today. Then, on January 13, 2025, he reached the peak of his broadcasting career — becoming co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today, sitting alongside Savannah Guthrie and taking over the seat previously held by Hoda Kotb. At present, he also serves as a regular fill-in and substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News, making him one of the most visible and trusted journalists on American television.
Craig Melvin's Net Worth and Salary
Craig Melvin’s earnings reflect his standing as one of network television’s most prominent anchors. Before his promotion to co-anchor of Today’s first and second hours in January 2025, his annual salary was reported at around $3 million per year. Following his new contract, that figure is estimated to have risen significantly — with sources suggesting a deal worth between $5 million and $6 million annually. For context, when Hoda Kotb first took the co-anchor seat back in 2018, she was earning $7 million per year — a benchmark that gives a clear picture of what the role commands at NBC.
Craig Melvin’s estimated net worth currently stands at approximately $14 million. It is worth noting that this figure is a combined estimate that includes the earnings of his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, who is herself a well-established sports anchor and reporter. Craig’s wealth has been built steadily over a journalism career spanning three decades — from a teenage reporter at a local South Carolina station to one of the lead anchors on America’s most-watched morning show. Beyond television, he has diversified his work through authorship. His children’s picture book, I’m Proud of You, was published in 2024, adding another dimension to his professional portfolio.
Awards and Recognition
Craig Melvin’s career has earned him recognition both regionally and nationally. He won an Emmy Award for his reporting in 2006, early in his career, while still at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association named him Best Anchor — a regional honor that validated his talent before the national spotlight found him. He was also selected as the keynote speaker for the RTDNA-Loyola University Chicago program titled Anchor Leadership: Truth and Trust in the Digital Age — an invitation that speaks to the respect he commands within the journalism profession. At present, he continues to be recognized not only for his on-air work but also for his advocacy efforts around colorectal cancer awareness through the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Personal Life and Family
Craig Melvin’s personal life is just as compelling as his professional one. His love story began in Washington, D.C., where he and Lindsay Czarniak first crossed paths at a charity gala that Lindsay was hosting in October 2009. At the time, Craig had recently joined WRC-TV, and Lindsay was already an established sports reporter at the same station. Their connection was immediate, and their relationship grew naturally from there.
After two years together, Craig proposed — and on October 15, 2011, the two were married at the Church of the Holy City on 16th Street NW in Washington, D.C., surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues. Lindsay Czarniak is no ordinary partner. She is a respected sports anchor and reporter in her own right, having worked at ESPN and NBC. The two share not just a life but a deep understanding of the demands that come with a career in broadcast journalism. At present, they continue to build their life together with the same quiet strength that has defined their relationship from the beginning.
Children and Home Life
Craig and Lindsay are parents to two children. Their son, Delano — lovingly called “Del” — was born in March 2014. His daughter, Sybil — known as “Sibby” — arrived in November 2016. When Delano was born, Craig did not stay quiet about something that mattered to him deeply. He spoke publicly about the need for paid maternity and paternity leave in the United States — using his platform not just to share joy, but to advocate for working families across the country. That moment revealed a lot about who Craig Melvin is beyond the anchor desk.
The family currently resides in Connecticut. Craig is a Christian and attends a congregational church, a faith that he has described as an important part of his personal foundation. Away from the cameras, he is known as a devoted father and a present, engaged husband — qualities that people close to him consistently speak about with warmth.
Craig Melvin Height and Physical Appearance
Craig Melvin’s height is one of the most frequently searched details about him online. Based on widely cited estimates across multiple sources, he stands at approximately 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 inches tall. It is important to note that this figure has not been officially confirmed by Craig himself, and slight variations do appear across different publications. What is consistent, however, is his polished and confident on-screen presence — the kind that commands attention regardless of physical stature.
Beyond height, Craig is recognized for his warm demeanor, sharp appearance, and the natural ease he brings to some of television’s most difficult conversations. Whether he is anchoring breaking news or conducting a high-profile interview, his composure remains one of his most defining professional qualities.
Personal Advocacy and Values
One of the most personal chapters of Craig Melvin’s life came on December 9, 2020, when his older half-brother, Reverend Lawrence Meadows, passed away from colon cancer at just 43 years old. The loss was devastating — and it changed Craig in a visible way. Since then, he has used his national platform to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, working closely with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to encourage early screening and support affected families.
His advocacy is not performative. It is rooted in grief, love, and a genuine desire to prevent other families from experiencing what his did. That commitment — showing up for causes that matter, speaking honestly about pain, and turning personal loss into public good — reflects the values that have guided Craig Melvin throughout his life, both on and off the screen.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Craig Melvin
Key questions answered about the NBC Today co-anchor, his height, career, and personal life
Born Craig Delano Melvin on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, he began his journalism career at just 15 years old at WIS-TV. Over three decades, he rose from a local teenage reporter to a nationally recognized anchor at NBC News and MSNBC. He became co-anchor of Today's first and second hours in January 2025, working alongside Savannah Guthrie.
This figure appears across multiple third-party sources but has never been officially confirmed by Craig Melvin himself. Slight variations in the reported number do exist across different publications. What remains consistent is his confident, polished on-screen presence that commands attention regardless of physical stature.
The couple first met at a charity gala in Washington, D.C. in October 2009, when both were working at WRC-TV. They married on October 15, 2011, at the Church of the Holy City on 16th Street NW in Washington, D.C. They currently reside in Connecticut with their two children.
His son Delano, affectionately called "Del," was born in March 2014. His daughter Sybil, known as "Sibby," was born in November 2016. Craig has spoken publicly about the importance of paid parental leave following Delano's birth, using his platform to advocate for working families across the United States.
This estimate is sourced from Celebrity Net Worth and reflects his three-decade career in broadcast journalism — from local television in South Carolina to the anchor desk of one of America's most watched morning shows. This figure has not been officially confirmed by Craig Melvin himself.
He joined NBC News and MSNBC in July 2011, becoming a Today anchor in August 2018 and permanent co-host of Today Third Hour in January 2019. Since January 2025, he has served as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie. He also regularly fills in as a substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News.
During his time at Wofford, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. His focus on government studies gave him a strong political foundation that proved invaluable throughout his career covering elections, national conventions, and major policy-driven stories at both local and national levels.
Before his promotion to co-anchor in January 2025, his annual salary was reported at around $3 million per year. Following his new contract, third-party sources estimate his earnings rose to between $5 million and $6 million annually. These figures are estimates only and have not been officially confirmed.
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