Stephen Colbert
Born 1964 · Age 61
American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host; host of The Colbert Report (2005–2014) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015–2026 announced).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Washington, D.C.
Stephen Tyrone Colbert born to Lorna and James William Colbert Jr.; youngest of eleven children.
Father and two brothers die in plane crash
James William Colbert Jr. (father) and brothers Paul and Peter died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212; pivotal childhood tragedy.
Ear surgery resulting in right-ear deafness (approx.)
Surgery to repair a perforated eardrum caused inner-ear damage and left him deaf in his right ear — ended hopes of scuba/ marine-biology career (approximate timing during adolescence).
Enrolled at Hampden–Sydney College
Entered Hampden–Sydney College (Virginia), majored in philosophy, participated in plays; initial college enrollment.
Transferred to Northwestern University (theater)
Transferred to Northwestern University to study theater and performance; began focusing on improvisation and performance.
Graduated from Northwestern University (BA, School of Communication)
Received a theater degree from Northwestern's School of Communication.
Worked at Second City box office; began improv classes
Accepted job answering phones/selling souvenirs at Second City's offices in Chicago and started taking free improv classes; began career in comedy.
Joined Second City touring company (approx.)
Hired to perform with Second City's touring company, initially as an understudy for Steve Carell; met Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello there (source gives 'summer 1988' — approximate).
Auditioned unsuccessfully for Saturday Night Live (first known audition)
Robert Smigel scouted him earlier; Colbert auditioned for SNL (unsuccessful) circa 1992.
Married Evelyn McGee-Colbert
Married Evelyn 'Evie' McGee; they have three children together.
Exit 57 nominated for CableACE Awards
Exit 57 nominated for five CableACE Awards including best writing and comedy series.
Exit 57 debuts on Comedy Central
Sketch comedy series Exit 57 (with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello) premiered; ran 12 episodes in 1995–1996 and received favorable reviews and CableACE nominations.
Birth of daughter Madeleine
Daughter Madeleine Colbert born (1995).
Cast member and writer on The Dana Carvey Show
Worked six months as a cast member and writer; show was canceled after seven episodes but provided national exposure and connections (Smigel, Carell, Kaufman, Louis C.K.).
Worked for Saturday Night Live (writer/freelance) briefly
Worked briefly as a freelance writer for SNL (after The Dana Carvey Show); provided voice for The Ambiguously Gay Duo sketches.
Hired as correspondent for The Daily Show
Joined Comedy Central's The Daily Show as a correspondent (initially under Craig Kilborn, then Jon Stewart). Began performing his conservative-parody correspondent persona.
Strangers with Candy premieres
Co-created and wrote Strangers with Candy (with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello) for Comedy Central; Colbert also acted as Chuck Noblet. Show ran 1999–2000.
Co-authored Wigfield
Published Wigfield: The Can-Do Town That Just May Not with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello.
Contributor: America (The Book)
Contributed to America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction with Daily Show writers.
Emmy Award(s) as Daily Show writer (first wins)
Won Emmy Award(s) as a writer for The Daily Show (noted wins in 2004; also 2005 and 2006 later).
Truthiness named Word of the Year (cultural impact)
Colbert popularized the term 'truthiness' on The Colbert Report; the American Dialect Society named it Word of the Year 2005 (cultural milestone).
Strangers with Candy film premiere at Sundance
Feature film adaptation of Strangers with Candy (co-written by Colbert) premiered at Sundance (2005) and had limited release in 2006.
Launched The Colbert Report on Comedy Central
Left The Daily Show to host The Colbert Report, a spin-off parodying pundit-driven political shows; premiered Oct 17, 2005.
Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, Knox College
Received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Knox College (later referenced in show credits).
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People (first time)
Named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list in 2006.
Featured entertainer at White House Correspondents' Dinner
Delivered a satirical and controversial keynote in-character near President George W. Bush; performance became a media phenomenon and boosted Colbert Report ratings.
I Am America #1 on NYT Best Seller list
His book I Am America (And So Can You!) reached No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2007.
Published I Am America (And So Can You!)
Released the book I Am America (And So Can You!) in-character; the book reached No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2007.
DonorsChoose.org: $68,000 raised for SC classrooms
After his announcement and promotion, viewers donated $68,000 to South Carolina classrooms helping ~14,000 low-income students.
Announced (in-character) presidential candidacy
On The Colbert Report announced intention to run as a 'favorite son' candidate in South Carolina for both Republican and Democratic platforms (in-character stunt related to 2008 cycle).
Campaigned in Columbia, SC; given key to city
Campained in South Carolina and was presented the key to Columbia by Mayor Bob Coble.
South Carolina Democrats refuse to place him on ballot
South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13–3 to refuse Colbert's application for the primary ballot; he withdrew days later.
DonorsChoose.org Pennsylvania campaign raised $185,000
Colbert viewers donated $185,000 to classroom projects in Pennsylvania before the primary, benefiting about 43,000 students.
Wins Peabody Awards (career Peabody count cited)
Colbert's work has been recognized with Peabody Awards (sources cite three Peabody Awards total across career).
Voiced U.S. President in Monsters vs. Aliens
Provided the voice of the U.S. President in the DreamWorks animated film Monsters vs. Aliens (released 2009).
Wins Grammy Award(s) (career Grammy count cited)
Colbert has won Grammy Award(s) in his career (sources cite two Grammys total across career).
Operation Iraqi Stephen: USO trip to Baghdad
Arrived in Baghdad to film a week of shows (June 7–9 were filmed); wore tailored Army Combat Uniform; Obama participated in first episode via cameo and ordered Colbert's head shaved.
Testified before House Judiciary Subcommittee (in-character)
Testified (in character) about participation in the United Farm Workers 'Take Our Jobs' program; broke character when answering Rep. Judy Chu about migrant worker rights.
Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear (co-organizer)
Co-hosted and co-organized the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear with Jon Stewart on the National Mall; event drew more than 200,000 people.
Established Colbert Super PAC / 501(c)(4) (on-air campaign)
Announced creation of a 501(c)(4) and a Super PAC—Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow—highlighting campaign-finance issues; used it to buy satirical political ads.
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People (second time)
Named again to Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2012.
Transferred Super PAC control to Jon Stewart
Temporarily transferred control of his Super PAC to Jon Stewart to explore a short-lived 'President of the United States of South Carolina' run (legal coordination concerns).
Extended Colbert Report contract until end of 2014
In July 2012 Colbert added two years to his Comedy Central contract, extending The Colbert Report through the end of 2014.
Won additional Primetime Emmy Awards (Colbert Report wins)
The Colbert Report and its writers/production won multiple Emmys (noted wins in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 across writing and outstanding variety series; total career Primetime Emmys cited at nine).
CBS announces Colbert will succeed David Letterman
CBS announced Stephen Colbert would succeed David Letterman as host of The Late Show after Letterman's retirement.
Final episode of The Colbert Report
Aired the final episode of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central (Dec 18, 2014) with a star-studded farewell and musical send-off.
CBS sets premiere date for The Late Show
CBS announced Colbert would premiere as host of The Late Show on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
Premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Premiered as host of The Late Show on CBS; first guest was George Clooney; show took on a more political focus.
Host of the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
Hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast on CBS.
Public discussion of anxiety and recovery
Spoke openly about his battles with anxiety and how performing and creating helped him cope, in interviews such as Rolling Stone.
Voice role: Mr. Peabody & Sherman (film participation noted around mid-2010s)
Provided voice work in feature animated productions (credited roles include Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) and later animation projects).
Signed overall deal with CBS Studios via Spartina Productions
Colbert and his Spartina Productions signed a deal with CBS Studios to produce shows including Tooning Out the News and Fairview; he was an executive producer on other projects.
Signed contract extension with CBS through at least 2026
Signed an extension in June 2023 (details not publicly disclosed); prior annual salary believed ~USD 15M under earlier deals.
Strike Force Five podcast launched (with fellow late-night hosts)
Began hosting the charity/comedic podcast Strike Force Five with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver to support staff affected by the 2023 WGA strike.
Appendix surgery; canceled tapings
Underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix and cancelled a week of Late Show tapings in November 2023; returned after recovery.
Executive producer on After Midnight (CBS panel game show)
Served as a producer (with his wife Evie) on CBS late-night comedy panel game show After Midnight (2024–2025); show ended after two seasons following host departure.
Reported net worth estimate (Biography.com / Celebrity Net Worth)
Sources such as Biography.com and Celebrity Net Worth estimate Colbert's net worth around USD 75 million (2025 estimate).
CBS announces end of The Late Show in May 2026
CBS announced it would retire The Late Show franchise and end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after the 2025–26 season; network cited financial considerations.
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