Stephen Colbert

Stephen Tyrone Colbert was born on May 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C., U.S. He grew up in a large Catholic family and is the youngest of eleven children. His father, James William Colbert Jr., was a prominent physician and academic administrator. His mother, Lorna Elizabeth Colbert, was a homemaker. The family moved to South Carolina when Colbert was young. His early life was marked by personal tragedy when his father and two brothers were killed in a plane crash in 1974.

In 1993, Stephen Colbert joined the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, where he began honing his skills in improvisation and sketch comedy. It was here that Colbert developed his signature comedic style, blending satire, wit, and political commentary. His time at Second City was instrumental in shaping his career, providing him with a platform to explore and expand his comedic persona. This experience laid the groundwork for his future successes in television and entertainment.

Stephen Colbert became a correspondent on 'The Daily Show' in 1997, during Jon Stewart's tenure as host. Colbert's segments often featured his satirical takes on politics and the media, quickly making him a standout and fan favorite on the show. His character, often described as a self-important pundit, allowed him to blend humor with incisive commentary, a formula that would define much of his later work. His tenure at 'The Daily Show' helped cement his reputation as a leading voice in political satire.

'The Colbert Report' premiered on October 17, 2005, on Comedy Central. The spinoff from 'The Daily Show' featured Stephen Colbert as the host, portraying a satirical version of a conservative political pundit. The show was an instant success, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. Known for its sharp wit and fearless satire, 'The Colbert Report' spoofed political commentary and media punditry, elevating Colbert to a new level of fame and influence in the realm of late-night television.

Stephen Colbert delivered a controversial and memorable performance at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 29, 2006. Performing in front of an audience that included President George W. Bush and influential members of the press, Colbert, in his signature satirical pundit persona, delivered a sharp critique of both the Bush administration and the media coverage of it. His performance was met with a mix of laughter and discomfort, and it became a major talking point, garnering widespread media attention and acclaim for its boldness.

In June 2009, Stephen Colbert visited troops in Iraq as part of a USO tour titled 'Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando.' During his stay, Colbert taped four episodes of 'The Colbert Report' in front of live military audiences. The event was notable for its humor and was capped with a mock military haircut given to Colbert by General Raymond T. Odierno. This trip highlighted Colbert's commitment to entertaining and supporting U.S. troops while maintaining his comedic edge in challenging environments.

Stephen Colbert began his tenure as the host of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on CBS on September 8, 2015. Taking over from David Letterman, Colbert brought his unique brand of humor and satire to network television's late-night landscape. His transition from cable to network TV marked a significant shift in his career, retaining elements of his political satire while expanding to a broader array of interviews and segments. 'The Late Show' under Colbert has become a major platform for political and cultural commentary.

On July 18, 2016, Stephen Colbert made an unplanned appearance at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. During his unsanctioned participation, Colbert, in character as his 'Colbert Report' persona, humorously hijacked the stage to comment on the political proceedings, drawing attention to the absurdity of the election cycle. This stunt was part of Colbert's broader satirical engagement with the 2016 presidential election, which he frequently covered on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.'

On November 5, 2020, in one of his live election shows, Stephen Colbert struck an emotional chord with his audience as he reacted to then-President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud. The episode, notable for its raw emotion and straightforward criticism of the president's rhetoric, stood out in Colbert's tenure on 'The Late Show.' He broke down while delivering his monologue, underscoring the seriousness of the events and his commitment to addressing pressing political issues through his platform.

On June 14, 2021, 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' returned to filming with a live audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater, marking a significant milestone in the recovery of live entertainment from the COVID-19 pandemic. This return signified the resilience of late-night TV and brought back the dynamic audience interaction that Colbert is known for. The live audience's presence reinstated the energy and immediate feedback that had been missing during the lockdown period, reviving the show's full comedic potential.