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 a multifaceted American entertainer, known for his satirical wit and political commentary. He gained prominence as the host of The Colbert Report (2005-2014), where he portrayed a fictional conservative pundit. Since 2015, he has hosted The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a more traditional late-night talk show, while still incorporating his signature comedic style and political insights. He is a writer, producer, and actor as well.
1969: Father's Role at Medical University of South Carolina
In 1969, James Colbert Jr., Stephen Colbert's father, became the first vice president of academic affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina.
1986: Job at Second City
After graduating in 1986, Stephen Colbert took a job answering phones and selling souvenirs at Second City and then signed up for improvisation classes.
1995: Debut of Exit 57
In 1995, Exit 57, a sketch comedy show created by Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, debuted on Comedy Central and was nominated for five CableACE Awards.
1996: End of Exit 57
In 1996, Exit 57 ended after airing for 12 episodes.
1997: Joining The Daily Show
In 1997, Stephen Colbert joined the cast of Comedy Central's The Daily Show as a correspondent.
1998: Development of Strangers with Candy
In 1998, Comedy Central picked up the new comedy series "Strangers with Candy" after Colbert had already begun working on The Daily Show.
1999: Jon Stewart takes over The Daily Show
In 1999, Jon Stewart took over hosting duties, also serving as a writer and co-executive producer in The Daily Show.
1999: Airing of Strangers with Candy
In 1999, thirty episodes of Strangers with Candy aired on Comedy Central.
2000: Daily Show Coverage of US Presidential Election
In 2000, Colbert reported from the floor of the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention as a part of The Daily Show's coverage of the U.S. presidential elections.
2000: Emmy Awards for The Daily Show Writing
In 2000, Stephen Colbert and the other Daily Show writers received three Emmy Awards as writers for The Daily Show.
2000: Increased Popularity of The Daily Show
In 2000, The Daily Show roles of the show's correspondents were expanded to include more in-studio segments and international reports, which were almost always done in the studio with the aid of a greenscreen.
2000: Airing of Strangers with Candy
In 2000, thirty episodes of Strangers with Candy aired on Comedy Central.
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 when Jon Stewart hosted Saturday Night Live.
2002: New Correspondents Imitated Colbert
In 2002, Rob Corddry and Ed Helms joined The Daily Show and imitated Stephen Colbert for a year or two.
2003: Publication of "Wigfield: The Can Do Town That Just May Not"
In 2003, Colbert co-authored the satirical novel "Wigfield: The Can Do Town That Just May Not" with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, which tells the story of a small town threatened by a dam's destruction.
2004: Daily Show Coverage of US Presidential Election
In 2004, Colbert reported 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 U.S. presidential elections.
June 16, 2005: Colbert Reads 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", on Comedy Central. This show was a spin-off of The Daily Show and parodied cable news shows, particularly those with political talk show hosts.
2005: Hosting The Colbert Report
In 2005, Colbert began hosting The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, a satirical program.
2005: Word of the Year
In 2005, Colbert coined the word truthiness on The Colbert Report.
2005: Emmy Win for The Daily Show
In 2005, Colbert won an Emmy as a writer of The Daily Show.
2005: Colbert Leaves Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
In 2005, Stephen Colbert left Adult Swim's "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law" to work on The Colbert Report, leading to the death of his characters, though he later returned for the series finale. He also appeared in the film adaptation of "Bewitched" in 2005.
2005: Additional Emmy Awards and Satellite Award Nomination
In 2005, Stephen Colbert received additional Emmy Awards as writers for The Daily Show. He was also nominated for a Satellite Award for his performance on The Colbert Report.
April 29, 2006: Colbert at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
On April 29, 2006, Stephen Colbert was the featured entertainer at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. He delivered a satirical routine targeting President George W. Bush and the media, performing in his politically conservative character from The Colbert Report.
October 30, 2006: Custody Agreement for Emmy Award
On The Colbert Report episode aired on October 30, 2006, Barry Manilow and Stephen Colbert jokingly signed and notarized a revolving biannual custody agreement for an Emmy.
2006: Performance at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
In 2006, Colbert performed at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
2006: Emmy Win for The Daily Show
In 2006, Colbert won an Emmy as a writer of The Daily Show.
2006: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
In 2006, Stephen Colbert performed as a featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
2006: Reaction to Colbert's White House Correspondents' Dinner Performance
In 2006, Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner received a mixed initial response, with some media outlets paying little attention to it. However, the video of the performance became an internet sensation, and ratings for The Colbert Report increased.
October 7, 2007: Release of "I Am America (And So Can You!)"
On October 7, 2007, Colbert's book associated with The Colbert Report, "I Am America (And So Can You!)", was released by Grand Central Publishing.
October 16, 2007: Colbert Announces Presidential Candidacy
On October 16, 2007, Stephen Colbert announced his intention to run for president on both the Republican and Democratic platforms, but only as a "favorite son" in his native South Carolina.
October 28, 2007: Colbert Campaigns in South Carolina
On October 28, 2007, Stephen Colbert campaigned in Columbia, the South Carolina state capital, where he received the key to the city from Mayor Bob Coble, as part of his presidential campaign.
November 1, 2007: Colbert's Presidential Bid Rejected
On November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13–3 to refuse Stephen Colbert's application to be on the ballot for president, after announcing his run on October 16, 2007. He later dropped out of the race.
2007: Emmy Loss to Tony Bennett
In 2007, Stephen Colbert lost an Emmy award in the Best Performance in a Variety, Musical Program or Special category to Tony Bennett.
August 2008: Colbert Campaign Ads Appear in Marvel Comics
As late as August 2008, background appearances of Colbert campaign ads continued to appear in Marvel Comics publications, such as Secret Invasion No. 5, which also featured a cameo of an alien Skrull posing as Colbert.
October 2008: Colbert Appears in The Amazing Spider-Man
In October 2008, Stephen Colbert made an extended 8-page appearance webslinging with Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man issue No. 573.
November 2008: DVD Release of "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!"
In November 2008, the DVD of Colbert's Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, was released.
November 23, 2008: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! Aired
On November 23, 2008, Colbert's Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, aired on Comedy Central.
2008: Emmy Loss to Don Rickles
In 2008, Stephen Colbert lost in the same Emmy category to Don Rickles.
2008: Colbert's "Straw Poll That Makes a Difference"
In 2008, Stephen Colbert teamed up with Donorschoose.org to create a "straw poll that makes a difference" for the Pennsylvania primary, encouraging viewers to donate to classroom projects in honor of their favorite candidate, raising $185,000 for schools.
April 14, 2009: COLBERT treadmill named
On April 14, 2009, NASA renamed the T-2 treadmill the "Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill", or COLBERT, after Stephen Colbert.
June 5, 2009: Colbert Arrives in Iraq to Film USO Shows
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. During the first episode, Colbert had his hair cropped in a military style.
August 2009: STS-128 mission
In August 2009, the Space Shuttle Discovery took the new treadmill for the International Space Station, the COLBERT, to the ISS during the STS-128 mission.
2009: Colbert voices 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: Colbert Named Assistant Sports Psychologist
In January 2010, Stephen Colbert was named the assistant sports psychologist for the US Olympic speed skating team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
September 10, 2010: Stewart and Colbert Announce Future Event
On September 10, 2010, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert pre-announced a future event on both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
September 16, 2010: Stewart and Colbert Announce Competing Rallies
On September 16, 2010, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced competing rallies on the Washington, D.C., Mall for October 30, 2010: Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity" and Colbert's "March to Keep Fear Alive".
September 24, 2010: Colbert Testifies Before House Subcommittee
On September 24, 2010, Stephen Colbert testified in character before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Security to describe his experience with the United Farm Workers' "Take Our Jobs" program.
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: Scripto Conceived
At the end of 2010, Stephen Colbert and Rob Dubbin conceived Scripto, a collaborative script software for writer rooms, inspired by a mishap on The Colbert Report involving a real life goat.
April 2011: Colbert Performs in Stephen Sondheim's 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: Colbert Requests FEC Media Exemption
In May 2011, Stephen Colbert filed a request with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for a media exemption for coverage of his political action committee, ColbertPAC, on The Colbert Report.
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 donations of airtime and show resources to promote the Colbert Super PAC without requiring disclosure to the FEC, but only for ads appearing on The Colbert Report.
January 16, 2012: Colbert Encourages Viewers to Vote for Herman Cain
On January 16, 2012, Colbert satirically encouraged viewers to vote for Herman Cain in the South Carolina primary, considering it support for his own possible candidacy.
July 2012: Colbert Extends Contract with Comedy Central
In July 2012, Stephen Colbert extended his contract with Comedy Central by two years, ensuring that "The Colbert Report" would continue until the end of 2014.
2012: Colbert Considers Presidential Run
In 2012, Colbert considered running for president in South Carolina and signed over control of his Super PAC to Jon Stewart to explore his possible candidacy.
2012: Collaboration with Montclair Film Festival Begins
Since 2012, Colbert has collaborated with the Montclair Film Festival, hosting fundraising events and leading Q&As with various figures in the film industry.
April 10, 2014: Colbert to succeed David Letterman as Late Show host
On April 10, 2014, CBS announced that Stephen Colbert would take over from David Letterman as the host of "The Late Show" when Letterman retired.
December 18, 2014: Final Episode of The Colbert Report
On December 18, 2014, Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of "The Colbert Report", which had been running since October 17, 2005. The show was a spin-off from The Daily Show, satirizing television news and political talk shows.
2014: End of The Colbert Report
In 2014, Stephen Colbert concluded his role as the host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central.
2014: Hosts Kennedy Center Honors
Since 2014, Stephen Colbert has hosted the Kennedy Center Honors for three consecutive years.
January 12, 2015: Colbert's Late Show Premiere Date Announced
On January 12, 2015, CBS announced that Stephen Colbert's debut as the host of "The Late Show" would be on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
September 8, 2015: Colbert's Debut as Host of The Late Show
On September 8, 2015, Stephen Colbert premiered as the host of "The Late Show" on CBS, succeeding David Letterman. George Clooney was the first guest on the show.
September 2015: Hosting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Since September 2015, Stephen Colbert has been hosting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.
2015: Outstanding Civilian Service Award
In 2015, 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 to host The Late Show
In 2015, Stephen Colbert was hired to succeed David Letterman as host of the Late Show on CBS.
September 2017: Hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards
In September 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
September 17, 2017: Colbert Hosts the Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 17, 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was broadcast on CBS.
2017: Hosts the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2019: Conversation with Tolkien Cast
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: Moderates Lord of the Rings Cast Reunions
In 2021, Colbert moderated Lord of the Rings cast reunions screened at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and made available on a Bluray collectors edition of the film series.
August 30, 2023: Talk Show Hosts Launch Strike Force Five Podcast
On August 30, 2023, Stephen Colbert, along with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver, began hosting the comedy podcast "Strike Force Five" to support their staff members during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
2024: Colbert co-authors cookbook, "Does This Taste Funny?"
In 2024, Colbert and his wife co-authored "Does This Taste Funny?", a cookbook featuring family recipes centered on Lowcountry cuisine.
2024: Colbert Moderates Fundraiser for Joe Biden
In 2024, Stephen Colbert moderated a fundraiser for the Joe Biden 2024 presidential campaign featuring Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
2024: Colbert Produces After Midnight
Since 2024 Stephen Colbert is a producer, alongside his wife Evie, of the CBS late-night comedy panel game show, "After Midnight".
June 2025: After Midnight to End
The CBS late-night comedy panel game show, "After Midnight", will end in June 2025, after two seasons, following host Taylor Tomlinson's departure. Stephen Colbert is one of the producers of the show, alongside his wife Evie.
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