Career Timeline of Stephen Colbert: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Stephen Colbert, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Stephen Colbert is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He gained prominence as the host of The Colbert Report, a satirical news program on Comedy Central, from 2005 to 2014. Since 2015, he has hosted The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS. Colbert's work is characterized by his sharp wit, political satire, and engaging interview style, making him a significant figure in American comedy and political commentary.
1986: Accepted Internship at Late Night
After Stephen Colbert graduated in 1986, he was accepted for an internship at Late Night with David Letterman, but rejected it because it was unpaid. He then took a job at Second City's box office and enrolled in improvisation classes.
1992: Unsuccessful SNL audition
In 1992, Stephen Colbert unsuccessfully auditioned for Saturday Night Live after being scouted at Second City.
1995: Exit 57 Debut
In 1995, Stephen Colbert's sketch comedy show Exit 57, created with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, debuted on Comedy Central.
1996: Performed on The Dana Carvey Show
In 1996, Stephen Colbert performed on and wrote for The Dana Carvey Show.
1996: Exit 57 Airs Through 1996
In 1996, Stephen Colbert's sketch comedy show Exit 57, created with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, aired through 1996.
1997: Joined The Daily Show
In 1997, Stephen Colbert joined the cast of Comedy Central's parody-news series, The Daily Show.
1998: Strangers with Candy Picked Up
In 1998, Comedy Central picked up Strangers with Candy, a comedy series developed by Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Paul Dinello. Colbert accepted a reduced role on The Daily Show to work on the new series.
1999: Jon Stewart Hosted The Daily Show
In 1999, Jon Stewart took over hosting duties for The Daily Show.
1999: Sitcom Strangers with Candy
In 1999, Stephen Colbert collaborated with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello on the sitcom Strangers with Candy.
1999: Strangers with Candy Aired
In 1999, Thirty episodes of Strangers with Candy, co-created by Colbert, started airing on Comedy Central.
2000: Coverage of the 2000 U.S. Presidential Elections
In 2000, Stephen Colbert filed reports from the floor of the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention as a part of The Daily Show's award-winning coverage of the 2000 U.S. presidential elections.
2000: Increased Popularity of the Daily Show
In 2000, The Daily Show increased in popularity, especially in the latter part of the U.S. presidential election season.
2000: Strangers with Candy Ended
In 2000, thirty episodes of Strangers with Candy ended, which aired on Comedy Central.
2000: Referencing the 2000 election
In November 1, 2007, Colbert dropped out of the race, saying he did not wish to put the country through an agonizing Supreme Court battle (referencing the 2000 election, wherein a tight recount in Florida was settled in a landmark Supreme Court decision).
2000: Strangers with Candy Airs Until 2000
Stephen Colbert's sitcom Strangers with Candy, which he worked on with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, aired until 2000.
March 3, 2002: Filling in as Anchor on The Daily Show
On March 3, 2002, Stephen Colbert filled in as anchor on The Daily Show for the full week while Jon Stewart hosted Saturday Night Live.
2002: Corddry and Helms joined The Daily Show
In 2002, Rob Corddry and Ed Helms joined the cast of The Daily Show and imitated Stephen Colbert.
2003: Publication of Wigfield: The Can Do Town That Just May Not
In 2003, Stephen Colbert co-authored the satirical novel "Wigfield: The Can Do Town That Just May Not" with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, published by Hyperion Books. The book tells the story of a small town threatened by a dam's destruction, presented as fictional interviews with residents, accompanied by photos. The three authors toured performing an adaptation of Wigfield on stage the same year the book was released.
2004: Coverage of the 2004 U.S. Presidential Elections and Emmy Win
In 2004, Stephen Colbert filed reports from the floor of the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention as a part of The Daily Show's award-winning coverage of the 2004 U.S. presidential elections, many of which were included on the DVD release. He also won an Emmy as a writer for The Daily Show in 2004.
June 16, 2005: Performed in Bloomsday on Broadway XXIV
On June 16, 2005, Stephen Colbert read the part of Leopold Bloom in Bloomsday on Broadway XXIV: Love Literature Language Lust: Leopold's Women Bloom at Symphony Space in New York City.
October 17, 2005: Premiere of The Colbert Report
On October 17, 2005, Stephen Colbert began hosting his own television show, The Colbert Report, a spin-off of The Daily Show that parodied television news broadcasting.
2005: Appearances in Film and Television
In 2005, Stephen Colbert appeared in the film adaptation of Bewitched in a small supporting role. He also made guest appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and on Whose Line Is It Anyway?. Additionally, he voiced Reducto and Phil Ken Sebben in Adult Swim's Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, before leaving the show to work on The Colbert Report.
2005: Coining of "Truthiness"
In 2005, Stephen Colbert coined the word "truthiness" on the premiere episode of The Colbert Report.
2005: Started The Colbert Report
In 2005, Stephen Colbert left The Daily Show to host The Colbert Report, a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows.
2005: Strangers with Candy Film
In 2005, the film adaptation of Strangers with Candy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
April 29, 2006: Featured Entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
On April 29, 2006, Stephen Colbert, in his politically conservative character from The Colbert Report, was the featured entertainer at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, delivering a satirical routine targeting President George W. Bush and the media.
2006: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Performance
In 2006, Stephen Colbert performed at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. This performance was later honored at the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards in 2007.
2006: Strangers with Candy Film Released
In 2006, The film adaptation of Strangers with Candy, co-written by Colbert, had a limited release.
February 2007: Ben & Jerry's AmeriCone Dream Ice Cream
In February 2007, Ben & Jerry's unveiled a new ice cream flavor in honor of Stephen Colbert, named Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream. Colbert donated all proceeds to charity through the Stephen Colbert AmeriCone Dream Fund.
October 7, 2007: Release of I Am America (And So Can You!)
On October 7, 2007, Stephen Colbert's book "I Am America (And So Can You!)", associated with The Colbert Report, was released by Grand Central Publishing. The book contains political satire written primarily by Colbert.
October 16, 2007: Announced Presidential Candidacy
On October 16, 2007, Stephen Colbert announced his intention to run for president on both the Republican and Democratic platforms as a "favorite son" in South Carolina.
October 28, 2007: Campagined in South Carolina
On October 28, 2007, Stephen Colbert campaigned in Columbia, South Carolina and was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Bob Coble, while seeking a place on the Democratic ballot for his presidential run.
November 1, 2007: South Carolina Democratic Party Refuses Colbert's Application
On November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13-3 against Stephen Colbert's application to be on the ballot, citing that he was not a serious candidate. He later dropped out of the race to avoid a Supreme Court battle.
August 2008: Colbert campaign ads in Marvel Comics
In August 2008, Colbert's fictional presidential campaign continued in the Marvel Universe, with campaign ads appearing in Marvel Comics publications, including Secret Invasion No. 5, which featured a cameo of an alien Skrull posing as Colbert.
October 2008: Appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man
In October 2008, Stephen Colbert made an extended 8-page appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man issue No. 573, where he was webslinging with Spider-Man.
November 2008: DVD release of Christmas special
In November 2008, Stephen Colbert's Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, was released on DVD.
November 23, 2008: Aired Christmas special
On November 23, 2008, Stephen Colbert's Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, aired on Comedy Central.
2008: Teaming up with Donorschoose.org again
In 2008, Stephen Colbert partnered with Donorschoose.org, urging supporters of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to donate to Pennsylvania classroom projects in honor of their preferred candidate as a lead-up to the Pennsylvania primary. Colbert's viewers donated $185,000, which benefited 43,000 students in Pennsylvania public schools.
April 14, 2009: NASA Treadmill Named COLBERT
On April 14, 2009, NASA renamed its new treadmill for the International Space Station the "Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill", or COLBERT, after Stephen Colbert showed interest in the Node 3 naming census for the ISS module Tranquility.
June 5, 2009: Filming in Baghdad for "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando"
On June 5, 2009, Stephen Colbert arrived in Baghdad, Iraq, to film a week of shows called "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando," sponsored by the USO. He had a suit tailored in the Army Combat Uniform pattern and had his hair cropped in a military style to show solidarity with the troops.
August 2009: Treadmill COLBERT Delivered to the ISS
In August 2009, the treadmill COLBERT engineered by NASA for the International Space Station, was taken to the ISS by the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-128 mission.
2009: Voicing the president of the U.S. in Monsters vs. Aliens
In 2009, Stephen Colbert voiced the president of the U.S. in the film Monsters vs. Aliens.
January 2010: Named assistant sports psychologist for the US Olympic speed skating team
In January 2010, Stephen Colbert was named the assistant sports psychologist for the US Olympic speed skating team at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was also invited to be part of NBC's 2010 Winter Olympics coverage team.
September 10, 2010: Announcement of a future event
On the September 10, 2010, episode of the Daily Show and The Colbert Report, Stewart and Colbert made preannouncements of a future event.
September 2010: Campaign developed for Colbert to hold a rally
In September 2010, following Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally, a campaign developed that called for Colbert to hold his own rally at the Lincoln Memorial.
September 16, 2010: Announcement of competing rallies
On September 16, 2010, Stewart and Colbert announced competing rallies on the Washington, D.C., Mall on October 30, 2010, Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity", and Colbert's "March to Keep Fear Alive".
September 24, 2010: Testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee
On September 24, 2010, Stephen Colbert testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Security. He described his experience participating in the United Farm Workers' "Take Our Jobs" program, working alongside migrant workers in upstate New York.
October 30, 2010: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
On October 30, 2010, Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity", and Colbert's "March to Keep Fear Alive" were both eventually merged into the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.
2010: Conceived Scripto
At the end of 2010, Stephen Colbert and Rob Dubbin first discussed making a bespoke drafting program for the staff. The idea was further inspired by a mishap on the show involving a real life goat.
April 2011: Performed in Company
In April 2011, Stephen Colbert performed as Harry in the concert-style revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Company, presented by the New York Philharmonic at the Lincoln Center.
May 2011: Request for media exemption for ColbertPAC
In May 2011, Stephen Colbert filed a request with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) seeking a media exemption for coverage of his political action committee, ColbertPAC, on The Colbert Report.
May 2011: Joined the Charleston to Bermuda Race yachting race
In May 2011, Stephen Colbert participated in the Charleston to Bermuda Race yachting race as captain of the ship "the Spirit of Juno", finishing second.
June 2011: FEC grants limited media exemption
In June 2011, the FEC voted 5-1 to grant The Colbert Report a limited media exemption, allowing unlimited airtime and show resource donations to promote the Colbert Super PAC without disclosure to the FEC, but only for ads on The Colbert Report. Colbert then formally filed paperwork for the creation of his Super PAC.
January 16, 2012: Satirical encouragement to vote for Herman Cain
On January 16, 2012, Stephen Colbert satirically encouraged his viewers to vote for Herman Cain in the South Carolina primary, as Cain was still on the ballot despite having dropped out of the race. Colbert stated that any votes for Cain would be in support of his own possible candidacy.
July 2012: Contract Extension for The Colbert Report
In July 2012, Stephen Colbert extended his contract with Comedy Central, continuing The Colbert Report until the end of 2014.
2012: Presidential Campaign
In 2012, after the New Hampshire primary, a poll for the South Carolina primary placed Colbert at 5%, ahead of Jon Huntsman. On January 12, Colbert started his show by discussing his role in the presidential campaign, then addressed the law preventing him from being a presidential candidate while running his Super PAC. With the help of his lawyer Trevor Potter, he then signed over control of his Super PAC to Jon Stewart, with the organization title then being referred to as "The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC". Immediately after this legal block was out of the way, Colbert announced, "I am forming an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for the President of the United States of South Carolina. I'm doin' it!" He reiterated in the interview portion of that show that "I'm still in the exploratory phase" of his presidential campaign.
2012: Collaboration with the Montclair Film Festival
Since 2012, Stephen Colbert has collaborated with the Montclair Film Festival in Montclair, New Jersey, of which his wife is a founder and president. He participates by hosting an annual fundraising event and leading Q&As with directors, writers, journalists, and actors.
April 10, 2014: Announcement as Host of The Late Show
On April 10, 2014, CBS announced that Stephen Colbert would succeed David Letterman as the host of The Late Show after Letterman's retirement.
December 18, 2014: End of The Colbert Report
On December 18, 2014, Stephen Colbert concluded his run as host of The Colbert Report.
2014: Hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and created Scripto
In 2014, Stephen Colbert hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and, alongside Rob Dubbin, created Scripto, a collaborative script software used by several late-night talk shows.
2014: End of The Colbert Report
In 2014, Stephen Colbert's contract ended with Comedy Central, marking the end of the The Colbert Report.
January 12, 2015: Premiere Date Announced for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On January 12, 2015, CBS announced that Stephen Colbert would premiere as the host of The Late Show on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
September 8, 2015: Premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On September 8, 2015, Stephen Colbert premiered as the host of The Late Show, with George Clooney as his first guest. The show features a much more political focus than David Letterman's version.
2015: Outstanding Civilian Service Award
In 2015, Stephen Colbert was awarded the third-highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards, the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, for substantial contributions to the U.S. Army community.
2015: Hired as Host of The Late Show
In 2015, Stephen Colbert was hired to succeed David Letterman as the host of the Late Show on CBS.
2016: Hosted the Kennedy Center Honors
In 2016, Stephen Colbert hosted the Kennedy Center Honors for the third consecutive year.
September 2017: Hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
In September 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
September 17, 2017: Hosting the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 17, 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was broadcast on CBS.
2017: Hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2019: Hosted a conversation with the cast of Tolkien
In 2019, Stephen Colbert hosted a conversation with the cast of the film Tolkien as part of an event for Montclair Film and Fathom Events.
2021: Moderated Lord of the Rings cast reunions
In 2021, Stephen Colbert moderated Lord of the Rings cast reunions that were screened at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and made available on a Blu-ray collectors edition of the film series.
August 30, 2023: Started Hosting Strike Force Five Podcast
On August 30, 2023, Stephen Colbert and fellow talk show hosts began hosting the comedy podcast Strike Force Five to support their staff members out of work due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
2023: To help produce a television adaptation of The Chronicles of Amber
In 2023, it was reported that Stephen Colbert would help produce a television adaptation of the fantasy series The Chronicles of Amber.
2024: Producer on After Midnight
From 2024 to 2025, Stephen Colbert was a producer on the CBS late-night comedy panel game show, After Midnight, alongside his wife Evie.
2024: Co-authored cookbook
In 2024, Stephen Colbert and Evelyn Colbert co-authored "Does This Taste Funny?", a cookbook featuring recipes from their family centered on Lowcountry cuisine.
2024: Potential retirement of the COLBERT
In 2024, it is expected that the COLBERT treadmill on the ISS will have seen approximately 38,000 miles of running, at which point the Space Station may be retired.
July 17, 2025: CBS Announced End of The Late Show
On July 17, 2025, CBS announced it would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and retire The Late Show franchise altogether in May 2026 after 33 years.
2025: Producer on After Midnight
From 2024 to 2025, Stephen Colbert was a producer on the CBS late-night comedy panel game show, After Midnight, alongside his wife Evie. The show ended after two seasons, following host Taylor Tomlinson's departure.
2028: Potential lifespan extension of the COLBERT
The COLBERT treadmill was built with a 150,000-mile lifespan, potentially extending its use until 2028 or beyond if needed.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician lawyer...
Marvel Comics founded in as Timely Comics by Martin Goodman...
George W Bush the rd U S President - is...
Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu is an Israeli politician and diplomat currently...
Trending
3 days ago Apple at 50: Reflections on Innovation, Challenges, and Future Directions after Steve Jobs
27 minutes ago Severe storms to impact Austin, Central Texas with possible I-35 flooding Saturday.
28 minutes ago Francisco Comesaña to Debut at Monte Carlo Masters 1000 Qualifying Tournament.
21 hours ago Navone Advances to ATP Bucharest Quarterfinals, Defeating Molcan: Predictions and Analysis
1 hour ago Elle Macpherson Celebrates 62nd Birthday with Stunning Lingerie Photoshoot: Still 'The Body'!
2 hours ago Chicago's iconic flag adoption, city employee's debt, and Illinois quick hits revealed.
Popular
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
George Soros is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist with a...
Sir David Attenborough is a highly influential British broadcaster biologist...
Walter Elias Disney was a highly influential American animator film...