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Stephen Colbert

'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' to end in 2026: Look back at his career in photos

Updated July 18, 2025, 9:04 a.m. ET
CBS has canceled "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," with the final show scheduled for May 2026. "It's not just the end of our show, it's the end of the 'Late Show' on CBS," host Stephen Colbert announced to his studio audience on July 17. The former "The Daily Show" correspondent and host of "The Colbert Report," Colbert has hosted "The Late Show" for nearly 10 years, taking over on Sept. 8, 2015, from David Letterman. To mark the end of an era, take a look back at the comedian's career, starting with Colbert posing for a photo during the United Jewish Appeal Federation roast of Comedy Central's President and CEO Larry Divney at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill April 15, 2004, in New York City.
CBS has canceled "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," with the final show scheduled for May 2026. "It's not just the end of our show, it's the end of the 'Late Show' on CBS," host Stephen Colbert announced to his studio audience on July 17.

The former "The Daily Show" correspondent and host of "The Colbert Report," Colbert has hosted "The Late Show" for nearly 10 years, taking over on Sept. 8, 2015, from David Letterman.

To mark the end of an era, take a look back at the comedian's career, starting with Colbert posing for a photo during the United Jewish Appeal Federation roast of Comedy Central's President and CEO Larry Divney at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill April 15, 2004, in New York City.
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Front row, from left: Comedian Drew Carey, NBC Weekend Today coanchor Campbell Brown, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress John Posesta, then "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" correspondent Stephen Colbert; back row: Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Garry Trudeau, talk show personality Phil Hendrie, Time magazine correspondent Matthew Cooper, Navigators partner Mike Murphy, and comedian Greg Proops after their discussion of "Who's Funnier - The Right or the Left?" at the St. Regis Hotel on March 6, 2004, in Aspen, Colorado. The industry program is part of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.
Front row, from left: Comedian Drew Carey, NBC Weekend Today coanchor Campbell Brown, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress John Posesta, then "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" correspondent Stephen Colbert; back row: Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Garry Trudeau, talk show personality Phil Hendrie, Time magazine correspondent Matthew Cooper, Navigators partner Mike Murphy, and comedian Greg Proops after their discussion of "Who's Funnier - The Right or the Left?" at the St. Regis Hotel on March 6, 2004, in Aspen, Colorado. The industry program is part of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.
Getty Images, Getty Images
Correspondent Stephen Colbert appears during live election night coverage of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Nov. 2, 2004, in New York City.
Correspondent Stephen Colbert appears during live election night coverage of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Nov. 2, 2004, in New York City.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Actor Stephen Colbert of the film "Strangers with Candy" poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Jan. 24, 2005, in Park City, Utah.
Actor Stephen Colbert of the film "Strangers with Candy" poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Jan. 24, 2005, in Park City, Utah.
Carlo Allegri, Getty Images
Actor Stephen Colbert of the film "Strangers with Candy" poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival Jan. 24, 2005, in Park City, Utah.
Actor Stephen Colbert of the film "Strangers with Candy" poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival Jan. 24, 2005, in Park City, Utah.
Carlo Allegri, Getty Images
Stephen Colbert, one of the honored artists, receives an award for unique contributions at the Symphony Space's annual spring gala with a silent auction and a program of microfictions and music, on April 25, 2005, in New York City.
Stephen Colbert, one of the honored artists, receives an award for unique contributions at the Symphony Space's annual spring gala with a silent auction and a program of microfictions and music, on April 25, 2005, in New York City.
Desiree Navarro, Getty Images
Comedian Stephen Colbert gestures to photographers as he arrives on the red carpet for the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington on April 29, 2006. The Comedy Central personality was the scheduled entertainer for the evening.
Comedian Stephen Colbert gestures to photographers as he arrives on the red carpet for the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington on April 29, 2006. The Comedy Central personality was the scheduled entertainer for the evening.
Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
Comedian Stephen Colbert provides the entertainment as U.S. President George W. Bush watches during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington on April 29, 2006.
Comedian Stephen Colbert provides the entertainment as U.S. President George W. Bush watches during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington on April 29, 2006.
Hyungwon Kang, REUTERS
Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart present together at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Aug. 27, 2006.
Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart present together at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Aug. 27, 2006.
Mike Blake, REUTERS
Comedian Stephen Colbert points to the cast on his arm while waiting to meet White House Spokesman Tony Snow inside the White House press briefing room on July 27, 2007.
Comedian Stephen Colbert points to the cast on his arm while waiting to meet White House Spokesman Tony Snow inside the White House press briefing room on July 27, 2007.
Larry Downing, REUTERS
Presenters Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert celebrate with actor Steve Carell after presenting the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 16, 2007. Carell, a nominee for the award, ran on stage when winner Ricky Gervais did not show up.
Presenters Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert celebrate with actor Steve Carell after presenting the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 16, 2007. Carell, a nominee for the award, ran on stage when winner Ricky Gervais did not show up.
Mike Blake, REUTERS
U.S. General Ray Odierno, commanding general, Multinational Force-Iraq, gives actor and comedian Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" a haircut during Colbert's performance for U.S. military personnel at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad in this United Service Organizations handout photo dated June 7, 2009. Colbert is participating in a USO/Armed Forces entertainment tour to the Persian Gulf region June 5-11, 2009.
U.S. General Ray Odierno, commanding general, Multinational Force-Iraq, gives actor and comedian Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" a haircut during Colbert's performance for U.S. military personnel at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad in this United Service Organizations handout photo dated June 7, 2009. Colbert is participating in a USO/Armed Forces entertainment tour to the Persian Gulf region June 5-11, 2009.
Ho New, Reuters
Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," balances a pen on his mouth as he testifies before the Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Subcommittee hearing on Protecting America's Harvest on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 24, 2010.
Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," balances a pen on his mouth as he testifies before the Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Subcommittee hearing on Protecting America's Harvest on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 24, 2010.
Kevin Lamarque, REUTERS
Comedians Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart sing during the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear on the Washington Mall on Oct. 30, 2010.
Comedians Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart sing during the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear on the Washington Mall on Oct. 30, 2010.
Jason Reed, Reuters
Comedian Stephen Colbert addresses the media after attending a Federal Election Commission (FEC) hearing to ask for a media exemption to create a political action committee (PAC) on June 30, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Colbert was given the go ahead from the FEC to launch a super political action committee to raise unlimited amounts of campaign cash for the upcoming 2012 political season.
Comedian Stephen Colbert addresses the media after attending a Federal Election Commission (FEC) hearing to ask for a media exemption to create a political action committee (PAC) on June 30, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Colbert was given the go ahead from the FEC to launch a super political action committee to raise unlimited amounts of campaign cash for the upcoming 2012 political season.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Stephen Colbert speaks onstage at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs at The Beacon Theatre on Oct. 13, 2012, in New York City.
Stephen Colbert speaks onstage at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs at The Beacon Theatre on Oct. 13, 2012, in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
Entertainer Stephen Colbert poses with his new book "I Am America (And So Can You!)" at a book signing in New York on Oct. 24, 2007.
Entertainer Stephen Colbert poses with his new book "I Am America (And So Can You!)" at a book signing in New York on Oct. 24, 2007.
Lucas Jackson, REUTERS
George Lucas and Stephen Colbert attend Tribeca Talks: Director Series: George Lucas With Stephen Colbert during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 17, 2015, in New York City.
George Lucas and Stephen Colbert attend Tribeca Talks: Director Series: George Lucas With Stephen Colbert during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 17, 2015, in New York City.
Grant Lamos IV, Getty Images
Host, executive producer, writer Stephen Colbert speaks onstage during the "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" panel discussion at the CBS portion of the 2015 Summer TCA Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Aug. 10, 2015, in Beverly Hills, California.
Host, executive producer, writer Stephen Colbert speaks onstage during the "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" panel discussion at the CBS portion of the 2015 Summer TCA Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Aug. 10, 2015, in Beverly Hills, California.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Stephen Colbert, Laura Linney and Chiwetel Ejiofor attend the Montclair Film Festival 2016 Richard Curtis Conversation And Filmmaker Tribute at Montclair Country Club on April 30, 2016, in Montclair, New Jersey.
Stephen Colbert, Laura Linney and Chiwetel Ejiofor attend the Montclair Film Festival 2016 Richard Curtis Conversation And Filmmaker Tribute at Montclair Country Club on April 30, 2016, in Montclair, New Jersey.
Paul Zimmerman, Getty Images
TV host and comedian Stephen Colbert records a segment on the floor of the convention hall during preparations for the 2016 Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena.
TV host and comedian Stephen Colbert records a segment on the floor of the convention hall during preparations for the 2016 Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena.
Andrew P. Scott, USA TODAY
Television personality Stephen Colbert dressed as a hot dog vendor throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field in 2016.
Television personality Stephen Colbert dressed as a hot dog vendor throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field in 2016.
Dennis Wierzbicki, Imagn Images
Stephen Colbert and John Oliver arrive at the post-election Evening to Benefit Montclair Film Festival at NJ Performing Arts Center on Nov. 19, 2016, in Newark, New Jersey.
Stephen Colbert and John Oliver arrive at the post-election Evening to Benefit Montclair Film Festival at NJ Performing Arts Center on Nov. 19, 2016, in Newark, New Jersey.
Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images For Montclair Film Festival
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders greets "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert during a taping of the show in the Manhattan borough of New York on June 23, 2016.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders greets "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert during a taping of the show in the Manhattan borough of New York on June 23, 2016.
Lucas Jackson, REUTERS
Comedian Stephen Colbert lies on chairs while taping a piece for his show on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 17, 2016.
Comedian Stephen Colbert lies on chairs while taping a piece for his show on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 17, 2016.
Brian Snyder, REUTERS
Stephen Colbert and host Kevin Spacey at the Tony Awards in 2017 in New York.
Stephen Colbert and host Kevin Spacey at the Tony Awards in 2017 in New York.
CARLO ALLEGRI, REUTERS
Stephen Colbert performs during the opening number during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in 2017.
Stephen Colbert performs during the opening number during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in 2017.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Stephen Colbert arrives for the Showtime Golden Globe nominees celebration at Sunset Tower on Jan. 6, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Stephen Colbert arrives for the Showtime Golden Globe nominees celebration at Sunset Tower on Jan. 6, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images
John Krasinski and Stephen Colbert pose for photos at the 92nd Street Y Presents: John Krasinski in Conversation with Stephen Colbert at 92nd Street Y on Sept. 4, 2018, in New York City.
John Krasinski and Stephen Colbert pose for photos at the 92nd Street Y Presents: John Krasinski in Conversation with Stephen Colbert at 92nd Street Y on Sept. 4, 2018, in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images
Stephen Colbert and Meryl Streep speak at an Evening With Stephen Colbert & Meryl Streep at NJPAC on Dec. 1, 2018, in Newark, New Jersey.
Stephen Colbert and Meryl Streep speak at an Evening With Stephen Colbert & Meryl Streep at NJPAC on Dec. 1, 2018, in Newark, New Jersey.
Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images For Montclair Film
Michelle Obama speaks with Stephen Colbert during her Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama event at Ryman Auditorium Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Nashville.
Michelle Obama speaks with Stephen Colbert during her Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama event at Ryman Auditorium Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Nashville.
Courtney Pedroza, The Tennessean
Jon Batiste and Stephen Colbert pose backstage with monks during the 32nd Annual Tibet House U.S. Benefit Concert & Gala at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 7, 2019, in New York City.
Jon Batiste and Stephen Colbert pose backstage with monks during the 32nd Annual Tibet House U.S. Benefit Concert & Gala at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 7, 2019, in New York City.
Noam Galai, Getty Images For Tibet House
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel present the award for lead actress in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019.
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel present the award for lead actress in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Stephen Colbert addresses the crowd between innings of the game between the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in 2021.
Stephen Colbert addresses the crowd between innings of the game between the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in 2021.
Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images
Stephen Colbert, winner of outstanding variety special (live) for "Stephen Colbert's Election Night 2020," in the press room at the 73rd annual Emmy Awards at L.A. Live.
Stephen Colbert, winner of outstanding variety special (live) for "Stephen Colbert's Election Night 2020," in the press room at the 73rd annual Emmy Awards at L.A. Live.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert arrive for the White House state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Dec. 1, 2022, in Washington, D.C. The official state visit was the first for the Biden administration.
Comedian Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn McGee-Colbert arrive for the White House state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Dec. 1, 2022, in Washington, D.C. The official state visit was the first for the Biden administration.
Nathan Howard, Getty Images
Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan speak onstage during An Evening with Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan at Newark's NJPAC as part of the inaugural North to Shore Festival and presented by Montclair Film at NJPAC, Prudential Hall on June 24, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey.
Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan speak onstage during An Evening with Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan at Newark's NJPAC as part of the inaugural North to Shore Festival and presented by Montclair Film at NJPAC, Prudential Hall on June 24, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey.
Arturo Holmes, Getty Images For Montclair Film And North To Shore Festival
Audience members line up outside of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York City. This marks the first taping of the late night talk show after the conclusion of the writers' strike. Late night talk shows are returning after going dark for five months during the Writers Guild of America strike.
Audience members line up outside of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York City. This marks the first taping of the late night talk show after the conclusion of the writers' strike. Late night talk shows are returning after going dark for five months during the Writers Guild of America strike.
John Nacion, Getty Images
Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert, right, portrays a hotdog vendor named Donny Frank while filming an impromptu spot with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, before the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 18, 2024.
Late night talk show host Stephen Colbert, right, portrays a hotdog vendor named Donny Frank while filming an impromptu spot with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, before the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 18, 2024.
Mark Hoffman, USA TODAY NETWORK
Stephen Colbert at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Stephen Colbert at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.
David Baratz, USA TODAY
Stephen Colbert attends An Evening with Stephen Colbert and Tony Gilroy: "Andor" Season 2 at The Paley Museum on May 13, 2025, in New York City.
Stephen Colbert attends An Evening with Stephen Colbert and Tony Gilroy: "Andor" Season 2 at The Paley Museum on May 13, 2025, in New York City.
Rob Kim, Getty Images
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will end in May 2026.
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will end in May 2026.
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
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