Millions of “Today” show fans know Craig Melvin from TV.
Thousands of Westporters know him as our neighbor.
Last night, a capacity Westport Library crowd got to know him even better.
The co-anchor of the 74-year-old TV institution — heir to a tradition that includes Dave Garroway, Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, Bryant Gumbel, and many more illustrious names — spoke for nearly 90 minutes about his life, his career and, especially, his and his family’s life in our town.
For once, he was not the host.
That task fell to Jim Marpe, former 1st selectman and a member of the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston. That also-venerable institution sponsored the event.
Before he took the stage, Craig Melvin (right) and Jim Marpe watch a video of the co-host’s “Today” show career. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Under Marpe’s warm but insightful questioning, Melvin described the route he and his wife, TV journalist Lindsay Czarniak, took to Westport. Searching for a home between New York City and Bristol, Connecticut, where she worked for ESPN, they toured Fairfield County.
Sitting at Mansion Clam House, he thought, “Everyone here is in finance. And white.”
But they rented a place just across the river, on Otter Trail, and fell in love with the town.
As their children grow up here, Melvin has enjoyed participating in their lives: flag football, basketball, gymnastics, dance and more.
He’s also a member of Westport 10. The organization — founded by Jay Norris — brings Black men together, to network and socialize. It’s also a way for their children to meet other Black youngsters in town.
Jim Marpe with “Pops: Learning to be a Son and a Father.” Melvin wrote the memoir about fatherhood, addiction and resiliency. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
There were other serious moments too. Melvin and Czarniak are involved in several cancer-related charities (his brother died of colorectal cancer).
The “Today” anchor grew emotional when describing the recent trauma involving the disappearance of co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. He described the “family” atmosphere among the show’s cast and crew, and offered insights into the close relationship between himself and Guthrie. (Not long ago, on a trip to Arizona, Melvin visited her mother’s home.)
During the audience Q-and-A, a woman asked for advice on getting into the television industry.
“One thing you can’t learn is genuine intellectual curiosity,” he noted.
A capacity crowd filled the Trefz Forum. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Another woman said that she sees Melvin around town, but doesn’t want to say anything to him.
“That’s rude!” he shot back.
He enjoys speaking with residents, he said — though he appreciates not being approached when he’s with his family.
“Lindsay and I knew what we were getting into” when they went into television, he explained. “Our kids didn’t sign up for this.”
Melvin also gave shout-outs to several Westporters in the audience, including the Rhimes family, Dave Briggs, and Bill Mitchell (“you buy a tie, next thing you know he’s got you doing something for Sacred Heart University”).
“This is not the life I imagined” growing up in South Carolina, Melvin said. One day he’s interviewing Keanu Reeves; the next, Marco Rubio.
But it a life he relishes.
Last night, thanks to Jim Marpe and the Y’s Men, hundreds of Westporters understood why.
Jim Marpe and Craig Melvin, enjoying their conversation. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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