Savannah Guthrie became emotional on Tuesday's "Today" show while discussing actress Allison Janney's tribute to her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, at the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Janney, who won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, spoke about Nancy's disappearance in the press room after the ceremony. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 and is believed to have been abducted.
"I honestly can say I think about Nancy every day and think about the loss and what Savannah and her family are going through," Janney said backstage. "I don't think I'm alone, I think all of America is thinking about her."
During the "Today" show segment, co-host Willie Geist shared a clip of Janney's remarks, describing them as a "beautiful expression of sympathy."
Guthrie, visibly moved, responded, "I was so touched to see her do that. It's her moment, [after] her triumph, for her to sit and take a moment to think about our family..."
Guthrie's voice broke as she continued, "I never let a moment pass if I get one to talk about my mom and how much we miss her and love her. My whole family - my sister and my brother and I and all of our extended family - are just in such pain."
She appealed for help, stating, "We need help, so thank you to Allison Janney for remembering us and for giving an opportunity for me to renew that call. We just want our mom home and to be able to give her a proper goodbye, that's all."
Geist reiterated the call for information, reminding viewers to contact the FBI regarding Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts.
Recent reports indicate that a ransom note sent to Savannah Guthrie's family suggested her mother may be deceased. The investigation into Nancy's disappearance has not yet yielded any suspects or arrests.
A source told The Sun that while Guthrie is "holding it together," each new development is distressing. The insider added that "executives are quietly preparing for every possibility" regarding Guthrie's role on the "Today" show, acknowledging she might need to step away with little notice.
Guthrie had previously taken a leave of absence from the "Today" show for several months following her mother's disappearance but returned in April. In an emotional interview in March, she shared the pain her family has experienced and reflected on whether her public profile might have contributed to the abduction, saying, "I just have to say, 'I'm so sorry, mommy. I'm so sorry.'"