Craig Melvin Tears Up Live on the “Today” Show, Reveals His Mom Betty ‘Rang the Bell’ for the End of Her Cancer Treatment
Craig Melvin Tears Up Live on the “Today” Show, Reveals His Mom Betty ‘Rang the Bell’ for the End of Her Cancer Treatment
Rachel McRadyMon, August 17, 2026 at 1:28 PM UTC
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Sheinelle Jones comforts Craig Melvin on ‘Today’ ShowCredit: NBC -
Craig Melvin became emotional on the Today show on Monday, Aug. 17 after a touching clip reminded him of his mom’s cancer journey
His mother, Betty Jo Melvin, recently completed her breast cancer treatment and rang the bell to celebrate
Craig has been an advocate for cancer awareness following the loss of his brother Lawrence to colon cancer in 2020
Craig Melvin had an unexpectedly emotional moment during the live broadcast of the Today show on Monday, Aug. 17.
While Jenna Bush Hager was presenting her regular “Morning Boost” segment, she showed a touching clip of a grandmother being surprised by her granddaughter during her final chemotherapy treatment.
After the clip aired on the show, Bush Hager noted that Melvin was getting visibly emotional.
“Oh, Craig, you have the Monday feels over there,” she said, adding that the clip was “pretty sweet, right?”
Craig Melvin and Carson Daly seated with others indoors during a ‘Today’ Show segmentCredit: NBC
Co-host Carson Daly teased, “Look, he does have a heart!”
Melvin explained the reason behind his emotional reaction, saying, “Yeah, well, my mom rang the bell today, so, yeah, that’s a good one.”
Daly noted, “It hits home. That’s what the Boost does!”
Craig Melvin’s parentsCredit: Craig Melvin/Instagram
Craig’s mom, Betty Jo Melvin, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2025 after a routine mammogram.
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“Getting the diagnosis was not what I expected the day that I got it,” Betty told WIS TV in Aug. 2025, adding that she was “speechless.”
At the time, Betty expressed that she had struggled to share the news with her sons, Craig and Ryan Melvin.
“My youngest son, I lost my granddaughter to cancer, children’s cancer,” Betty said. “I lost my son to colon cancer about five years ago, so to tell them your mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it was hard. It took me several hours before I could call them and let them know.”
Craig’s half-brother, Lawrence Meadows, died of colon cancer in 2020. The news anchor has since been an outspoken advocate for colorectal cancer screenings in his brother’s memory.
Back in 2023, Craig honored Betty on her birthday, writing, “Betty Jo Melvin is the rock of our family. She’s the glue. Please join me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays. I’m not me without her and neither is my brother, her siblings, or grands. She’s sacrificed her entire life so those around her can live better. The love that endures is beyond social media expression.”
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Craig and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, recently spent time with Betty and their extended family on vacation in South Carolina.
“A few snapshots from days well spent in SC with my favorite people,” Craig captioned some photos from the time away last month. “ ☀️🌴 Filled with beach days, good food, loud talking, spades playing, movie watching, mediocre golf, plenty of laughs, and a whole lot of family time. Always the best time of the year.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
