Today host Craig Melvin shares sweet birthday post for brother Ryan just days after his tragic cancer death

TODAY co-host Craig Melvin celebrated his younger brother Ryan’s birthday on Tuesday with a sweet post, just days after they lost their oldest brother Lawrence.

The 41-year-old broadcast journalist’s late brother died last week after a long battle with colon cancer.

To celebrate Ryan on his big day, Craig shared a fun photo of the duo sitting in the audience section at an event, making funny faces for the camera.

The TV personality wrote along with it: “Happy 35th to my younger brother, Ryan. Crazy. Cool. And now in his late 30s. Love you, Young Melvin!”

Fellow Today star Al Roker commented on the post: “Happy Birthday, Ryan.”

On Sunday, Craig shared the sad news with his fans that his older brother Lawrence passed away at the age of 43.

He mourned the loss of his sibling with a touching tribute, remembering him as “one of the best human beings.”

Alongside a smiling snapshot of the three brothers, Craig wrote: “We lost our older brother this week. Lawrence Meadows was a husband (to Angela, his childhood sweetheart), father (to Addie, 11 and Lawson, 7).”

The MSNBC anchor added that Lawrence was a “Baptist minister, entrepreneur, and one of the best human beings you would’ve ever known.” 

He continued: “Colon cancer robbed him and us of so much. He was diagnosed at 39. He died Wednesday at 43. 

“He spent a fair amount of time over the past few years raising awareness about the disease. We’ll be keeping up that fight. We love you, bro.”

Craig first revealed his brother’s stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis on the Today show in 2017.

He recalled how the phone call “nearly knocked [him] off [his] feet.”

Today co-host, Hoda Kotb, sent love to Craig during this difficult time.

She wrote in the comment section of his post on Sunday: “Love you Craig... lets all keep up the fight ❤️”

After seeing all of the love he was being sent, Craig thanked everyone on Wednesday, writing: "To my colleagues, friends and viewers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your heartfelt condolences, prayers, and donations in memory of my brother Lawrence. 💙"