Stephen Colbert, the youngest of ten siblings, was just 10 years old when tragedy reshaped his life. In 1974, his father and two brothers were killed in a plane crash, leaving him to grow up in a quiet, grieving household with his mother. The loss deeply affected him, stripping away much of his childhood and sense of normalcy.
Born in 1964 and raised in Maryland and South Carolina, Colbert grew up in a devout but intellectually curious Catholic family. As a child, he taught himself to mimic the neutral speech of news anchors to avoid Southern stereotypes. After the crash, he disengaged from school and instead found comfort in science fiction, faith, and eventually theater.
His love for performance led him from Hampden-Sydney College to Northwestern University, where the weight of his grief fully surfaced. Though he initially dreamed of being a dramatic actor, his career shifted when he joined Second City, forming key creative partnerships that helped launch his comedy path.
Colbert rose to fame on The Daily Show, then The Colbert Report, and ultimately became host of The Late Show in 2015, succeeding David Letterman. His blend of political commentary, interviews, and music made the show a ratings leader for years. CBS announced the franchise will end in 2026 after a 33-year run.
Despite professional success and a net worth of about $75 million, Colbert has faced serious health challenges, including a burst appendix and vertigo, as well as personal loss, including the death of his mother in 2013. Known for his thoughtful reflections on grief, Colbert has spoken openly about loss as something to be accepted rather than avoided.
Though The Late Show is ending, Colbert continues to shape late-night television as an executive producer of After Midnight, supporting the next generation of comedic voices.