Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in Colombia and developed an early interest in journalism while still in high school. Melvin attended Wofford College, where he earned a degree in government. During college, he gained experience working at a local television station, which helped launch his career in broadcast news.

Melvin began his professional career at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, as a news photographer and reporter. He later worked as a weekend anchor before moving to NBC affiliate WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where he covered major national stories. In 2011, he joined MSNBC as a daytime anchor and quickly became a trusted presence on the network. His reporting during breaking news events and national crises helped elevate his profile within NBC News.

Craig Melvin joined NBC’s Today as a news anchor in August 2018 and became a permanent co-host of the show’s Third Hour in 2019. A staple of the network, he was promoted to co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today in January 2025, replacing Hoda Kotb. 

In his personal life, Melvin married sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak in 2011. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter. He is a prominent advocate for family, health, and community, often sharing his personal experiences to foster open dialogue.