Stephen Colbert Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Family, Career, Net Worth & The Late Show Cancellation

Stephen Colbert stands as one of America’s most influential voices in political satire and late-night television. From his groundbreaking work on The Colbert Report to his decade-long tenure hosting CBS’s The Late Show, the Emmy-winning comedian has shaped how millions of Americans consume news and comedy. As 2026 marks the end of his historic run on network television, fans are reflecting on his remarkable journey from Charleston, South Carolina to becoming a household name worth $75 million.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Stephen Tyrone Colbert was born on May 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C., the youngest of eleven children in a devout Catholic family. His father, James William Colbert Jr., was an immunologist and medical school dean, while his mother, Lorna Elizabeth Colbert, was a homemaker. The family moved to Charleston, South Carolina when Stephen was young, where he spent his formative years.

Tragedy struck when Colbert was just ten years old. On September 11, 1974, his father and two of his brothers, Peter and Paul, died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 near Charlotte, North Carolina. This devastating loss profoundly shaped Colbert’s worldview and his relationship with faith and comedy.

Colbert attended the prestigious Porter-Gaud School in Charleston before enrolling at Hampden–Sydney College in Virginia, intending to study philosophy. He later transferred to Northwestern University’s School of Communication in Evanston, Illinois, where he discovered his passion for performance and improvisation. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, focusing on acting and directing.

During his time at Northwestern, Colbert became deeply involved with the campus improv scene, studying under the legendary Del Close at the Annoyance Theatre and later joining the renowned Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. These formative experiences would lay the groundwork for his distinctive comedic voice.

Career Journey

The Second City Years & Early Television (1984–1997)

After graduating from Northwestern, Colbert joined the touring company of Second City, where he met lifelong collaborators including Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello. Together, they created the sketch comedy show Exit 57, which aired on Comedy Central from 1995 to 1996. Though short-lived, the series earned five CableACE Award nominations and established Colbert as a writer and performer to watch.

During this period, Colbert also worked as a cast member and writer on The Dana Carvey Show (1996), a controversial but influential sketch program that, despite its brief run, launched the careers of Steve Carell, Robert Smigel, and Louis C.K. Colbert’s work here demonstrated his versatility as both a performer and writer.

The Daily Show Breakthrough (1997–2005)

In 1997, Colbert joined Comedy Central’s The Daily Show as a correspondent, initially working alongside Craig Kilborn. When Jon Stewart took over as host in 1999, Colbert’s role expanded significantly. He developed the persona of a deadpan, self-important conservative pundit—a character that would become his signature.

As a writer and correspondent on The Daily Show, Colbert won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program (2004, 2005, 2006). His segments, including “This Week in God” and “Even Stevphen” (co-starring Steve Carell), became fan favorites and demonstrated his unique ability to blend sharp political analysis with absurdist humor.

The Colbert Report Era (2005–2014)

In October 2005, Colbert launched The Colbert Report, a spin-off that allowed him to fully inhabit his conservative pundit persona. The show parodied personality-driven political talk shows, particularly those on Fox News, with Colbert playing a fictionalized version of himself—a bombastic, fact-denying, patriotically overzealous commentator.

The show became a cultural phenomenon, introducing the word “truthiness” (defined as “truth that comes from the gut, not books”) into the American lexicon. The American Dialect Society named it the 2005 Word of the Year. The Colbert Report earned numerous accolades, including:

• Emmy Awards: Outstanding Variety Series (2013, 2014), Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014)
• Peabody Award (2008)
• Grammy Award: Best Comedy Album for A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (2010)
• Grammy Award: Best Spoken Word Album for America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t (2014)

Notable moments during this era included his controversial keynote speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where he performed in character and delivered a scathing critique of the George W. Bush administration and the mainstream media. The performance went viral and cemented his status as a political tastemaker for young liberals.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015–2026)

When David Letterman announced his retirement in 2014, CBS selected Colbert as his successor on The Late Show. Colbert debuted on September 8, 2015, shedding his conservative pundit persona to host as himself—a more earnest, politically engaged interviewer and commentator.

Career Stats & Milestones:

Initially, Colbert struggled to find his footing in the crowded late-night landscape, trailing behind jimmy fallon’s Tonight Show. However, his sharp coverage of the 2016 presidential election and the Trump administration revitalized the show, eventually making The Late Show the #1 rated late-night program for nine consecutive seasons.

Notable Career Statistics:

• Total Episodes Hosted: Over 1,800 episodes (as of 2025)
• Emmy Nominations: 40+ nominations throughout career
• Emmy Wins: 9+ awards (including writing and variety special categories)
• Books Published: 3 (I Am America (And So Can You!), America Again, Does This Taste Funny? with wife Evie)
• Broadway Appearances: Company (2011), The Colbert Report live shows
• Voice Acting Credits: Monsters vs. Aliens, The Simpsons, Rick and Morty, The Venture Bros.

Spartina Productions & Future Ventures

Beyond hosting, Colbert founded Spartina Productions, a production company that has developed various television and film projects. His wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, serves as Vice President of the company. This venture positions Colbert to remain active in entertainment production after his late-night tenure ends.

Personal Life

Marriage to Evelyn McGee-Colbert

Stephen Colbert has been married to Evelyn “Evie” McGee-Colbert since October 1993, marking over 30 years of marriage. The couple met in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, though their path to romance wasn’t immediate. They first encountered each other in college at a party where, as Colbert humorously recalls, he was “chemically impaired” and Evie appeared as a “distant frost queen on a mountain top.”

Their true connection sparked when they met again years later in the lobby of a theater during a performance of Hydrogen Jukebox. Colbert famously thought, “Her. That’s your wife. You’re going to marry her.” They discovered their families had known each other since childhood, adding a layer of destiny to their relationship.

Evie, an actress and producer, has appeared in several projects including Strangers with Candy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Chronicles of Amber. She serves as President of the Montclair Film Board of Trustees and has been instrumental in her husband’s career, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when she helped produce The Late Show from their home.

Family & Children

The Colberts have three children together:

• Madeline (born 1995) – The eldest daughter
• Peter (born 1998) – Named after Stephen’s late brother
• John (born 2002)

The family resides in Montclair, New Jersey, where they are active community members. Colbert is known for being a devoted father, often mentioning his children on air while maintaining their privacy. During the pandemic, viewers got glimpses of their home life as Evie and occasionally their children appeared in segments filmed from their residence.

Faith & Values

A devout Roman Catholic, Colbert’s faith plays a central role in his life and occasionally his comedy. He has taught Sunday school and often discusses theological concepts with guests, notably Father James Martin. His Catholicism informs his social justice views and his approach to interviewing, blending moral seriousness with humor.

Hobbies & Interests

• Cooking: Released the cookbook Does This Taste Funny? (2024) with Evie, featuring Lowcountry recipes from their South Carolina roots
• Dungeons & Dragons: Avid player and advocate for the game; has hosted D&D sessions on his show
• Music: Trained ear for music; frequently features musical guests and occasionally performs himself
• Reading: Known bibliophile with particular interest in fantasy, science fiction, and religious texts
• Civic Engagement: Active in various charitable causes, including education funding in South Carolina

Controversies

The 2025 Cancellation & Political Fallout

The most significant controversy of Colbert’s career emerged in July 2025 when CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, set to end in May 2026. While CBS executives cited “financial decisions against a challenging backdrop in late night” and reported losses of $40-50 million in 2024, the timing raised serious questions about political interference.

The cancellation came just days after Colbert condemned parent company Paramount Global for paying a $16 million settlement to donald trump over allegations of election interference regarding a 60 Minutes interview with kamala harris. Colbert called the settlement “a big fat bribe” on air.

Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and fellow comedian Jon Stewart, suggested the cancellation was politically motivated, potentially connected to Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, which required FCC approval. Trump celebrated the news on Truth Social, writing, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.”

David Letterman called the decision “pure cowardice,” while Colbert himself responded, “They made one mistake. They left me alive. And now for the next ten months the gloves are off.”

Previous Controversies

• 2006 White House Correspondents’ Dinner: His scathing roast of President Bush and the media elite generated significant backlash from conservative commentators while earning praise from liberal audiences.
• #FireColbert Movement (2017): A joke about President Trump and Vladimir Putin led to calls for his firing and FCC investigation threats, though CBS stood by him.
• Staff Arrests (2022): Several Late Show staff members were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while filming a comedy segment about the January 6th hearings, briefly generating negative headlines.

Awards & Achievements

Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: The Daily Show (2004, 2005, 2006)
• Outstanding Variety Series: The Colbert Report (2013, 2014)
• Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: The Colbert Report (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014)
• Outstanding Variety Special: Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020 (2021)

Grammy Awards

• Best Comedy Album: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (2010)
• Best Spoken Word Album: America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t (2014)

Other Honors

• Peabody Award (2008) – The Colbert Report
• Satellite Award (2007) – Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical
• People’s Choice Award (2014) – Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host
• PGA Awards – Multiple nominations for Outstanding Producer
• Honorary Degrees: Wake Forest University, Northwestern University

Physical Statistics

Colbert maintains a relatively fit physique, occasionally joking about his fitness routine and aging on his show. He has mentioned enjoying running and staying active despite the sedentary nature of late-night hosting.

Quotes

“Cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow.”

“I used to make up stuff in my bio all the time, that I used to be a professional ice-skater and stuff like that. I found it so inspirational.”

“The only good thing that came out of COVID is that [my wife] got to be part of the show.”

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

As of 2026, Stephen Colbert’s estimated net worth stands at $75 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth accumulation reflects one of the most successful careers in modern comedy.

Salary Evolution:

• Early Late Show years (2015–2019): $6 million annually
• First contract extension (2019–2023): $15 million annually
• Second extension (2023–2026): Estimated $15-20 million annually

Income Sources:

1. CBS Salary: Primary income from The Late Show
2. Book Sales: Three bestselling books, including I Am America (And So Can You!) which spent significant time on the New York Times Best Seller list
3. Production Company: Revenue from Spartina Productions
4. Voice Acting: Roles in major animated films and series
5. Speaking Engagements: High-profile appearances and lectures
6. Broadway: Performance fees from theatrical productions

Despite the show’s cancellation, Colbert’s financial future remains secure. His production company, ongoing royalties, and potential future projects (streaming specials, podcasts, or return to cable) ensure his wealth will likely continue growing post-Late Show.

Interesting Facts

1. Youngest of Eleven: Colbert is the baby of his family, with ten older siblings.
2. Tragic Childhood: Lost his father and two brothers in a plane crash at age 10, an event that deeply influenced his comedic perspective.
3. Deaf in One Ear: Colbert is deaf in his right ear due to surgery performed when he was young to repair a perforated eardrum.
4. Dungeons & Dragons Enthusiast: Has played D&D since his youth and has hosted games with celebrity guests on his show, including Joe Manganiello.
5. Classically Trained: Studied serious acting at Northwestern and initially aspired to be a dramatic actor before finding his calling in comedy.
6. Truthiness Creator: Coined the word “truthiness” which was named 2005 Word of the Year and eventually added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
7. NASA Connection: The “Colbert Nation” successfully voted to name a node on the International Space Station after him (though NASA named it “Tranquility” instead, they named a treadmill the “Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill”—C.O.L.B.E.R.T.).
8. Charitable Giving: Donated $800,000 to South Carolina public schools in 2015.
9. Tolkien Superfan: Can read Elvish and has extensive knowledge of Lord of the Rings lore.
10. Almost SNL: Auditioned for Saturday Night Live twice but was rejected both times.

Did You Know?

• Stephen Colbert’s wife Evie comes from a prominent Charleston family—her father was a renowned civil litigator.
• The couple’s cookbook Does This Taste Funny? features recipes passed down from both their families, including Evie’s grandmother’s crab cakes.
• Colbert keeps a sword from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy in his office.
• He once considered becoming a priest before choosing comedy.
• His character on The Colbert Report was so convincing that many conservative viewers initially believed he was serious.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @stephenathome
• Twitter/X: @StephenAtHome
• Facebook: @colbertlateshow
• YouTube: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• TikTok: @colbertlateshow

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Stephen Colbert hosted The Late Show?
Stephen Colbert has hosted The Late Show since September 8, 2015, totaling over 10 years when the show ends in May 2026. He succeeded David Letterman, who hosted for 22 years.

Why is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ending?
CBS announced the cancellation in July 2025, citing financial reasons and the challenging late-night television landscape. However, many speculate political factors played a role, given the timing with Paramount’s settlement with Donald Trump and the Skydance Media merger.

Who is Stephen Colbert’s wife?
Stephen Colbert is married to Evelyn “Evie” McGee-Colbert, an actress, producer, and Vice President of Spartina Productions. They married in October 1993 and have three children together.

What is Stephen Colbert’s net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Stephen Colbert’s estimated net worth is $75 million, with an annual salary of approximately $15 million from CBS during his final contract.

How did Stephen Colbert get his start in comedy?
Colbert began performing improv at Northwestern University before joining Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe. He gained national recognition as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 1997 to 2005.

What awards has Stephen Colbert won?
Colbert has won multiple Emmy Awards for writing and variety series, two Grammy Awards for spoken word and comedy albums, and a Peabody Award. He has received over 40 Emmy nominations throughout his career.

Does Stephen Colbert have children?
Yes, Stephen and Evie Colbert have three children: Madeline (born 1995), Peter (born 1998), and John (born 2002).

What will Stephen Colbert do after The Late Show ends?
While Colbert hasn’t announced specific plans, he is expected to remain active through his production company Spartina Productions, potential streaming specials, podcasting, or returning to cable television. His contract with CBS ends in May 2026, leaving him free to pursue new ventures.

Conclusion

Stephen Colbert’s career represents a unique fusion of sharp political insight, absurdist humor, and genuine human warmth. From his early days at Second City to his decade-long reign as late-night’s most influential voice, he has consistently pushed boundaries while maintaining his integrity as a comedian and commentator. As he prepares to sign off from The Late Show in May 2026, Colbert leaves behind a legacy of nine consecutive seasons as the #1 rated late-night program and a body of work that has shaped American political discourse.

Whether he returns to cable, launches a podcast empire, or focuses on production through Spartina, one thing remains certain: Stephen Colbert will continue to make America laugh—and think—for years to come. If you enjoyed this comprehensive biography, please share it with fellow fans and subscribe for more in-depth celebrity profiles.