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 (2005-2014), a satirical news program on Comedy Central, where he portrayed a conservative pundit. Since 2015, he has hosted The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, a late-night talk show that blends comedy with political commentary and interviews. Colbert's work often involves satire, political humor, and insightful commentary on current events.
1986: Internship rejection
In 1986, after Colbert graduated he was accepted for an internship at Late Night with David Letterman, which he rejected because it was unpaid, and started working at Second City.
1992: Saturday Night Live Audition
In 1992, Colbert unsuccessfully auditioned for Saturday Night Live, after being scouted at Second City by Robert Smigel.
1995: Exit 57 Debut
In 1995, Exit 57 debuted on Comedy Central and received favorable reviews and was nominated for five CableACE Awards.
1996: The Dana Carvey Show
In 1996, Colbert performed on and wrote for The Dana Carvey Show.
1996: Exit 57 Aired
In 1996, Exit 57 aired. The show lasted 12 episodes and received favorable reviews and was nominated for five CableACE Awards in 1995, in categories including best writing, performance, and comedy series.
1997: Joins The Daily Show
In 1997, Colbert joined the cast of Comedy Central's parody-news series The Daily Show as a correspondent.
1998: Strangers with Candy Picked Up
In 1998, Comedy Central picked up Strangers with Candy, a comedy series developed by Colbert, Sedaris, and Dinello.
1999: Jon Stewart Takes Over The Daily Show
In 1999, Jon Stewart took over hosting duties of The Daily Show, also serving as a writer and co-executive producer.
1999: Strangers with Candy Sitcom
In 1999, Stephen Colbert collaborated with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello on the sitcom Strangers with Candy.
2000: Emmy Award for The Daily Show
In 2000, Stephen Colbert and the other Daily Show writers received three Emmy Awards for their writing on The Daily Show.
2000: The Daily Show's 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 coverage of the U.S. presidential elections.
2000: Political Tone Increase
In 2000, The Daily Show began to take on a more political tone and increase in popularity, particularly in the latter part of the U.S. presidential election season.
2000: Strangers with Candy aired on Comedy Central
In 2000, the last episodes of Strangers with Candy aired on Comedy Central.
2000: Referencing the 2000 election
In 2007, when Colbert dropped out of the race, he said 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.
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, due to Jon Stewart hosting Saturday Night Live.
2002: Colbert's influence on the Daily Show
In 2002, other Daily Show correspondents like Rob Corddry and Ed Helms imitated Stephen Colbert's style on the show.
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. The three authors also toured performing an adaptation of Wigfield on stage the same year the book was released.
2004: The Daily Show's Coverage of the 2004 U.S. Presidential Elections and Emmy Award
In 2004, Stephen Colbert continued filing reports for The Daily Show's coverage of the U.S. presidential elections, some of which were included in 'The Daily Show: Indecision 2004' DVD release. Colbert also won an Emmy as a writer for The Daily Show in 2004.
June 16, 2005: Colbert Reads Leopold Bloom in Bloomsday on Broadway
On June 16, 2005, 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 Daily Show spin-off.
2005: Colbert Appears in Bewitched and Leaves Harvey Birdman
In 2005, Colbert appeared in the film adaptation of Bewitched. He left Adult Swim's Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, where he voiced Reducto and Phil Ken Sebben, to work on The Colbert Report.
2005: Hosting 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: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Performance
On April 29, 2006, Stephen Colbert performed at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, delivering a satirical routine targeting President George W. Bush and the media.
2006: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
In 2006, Colbert performed as a featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, which he did in character. This event led to the series becoming one of Comedy Central's highest-rated series.
2006: Response to White House Correspondents' Dinner Performance
In 2006, Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner generated mixed reactions and became a cultural touchstone, increasing ratings for The Colbert Report.
2006: Strangers with Candy Limited Release
In 2006, the film adaptation of Strangers with Candy had a limited release.
February 2007: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor Unveiled
In February 2007, Ben & Jerry's unveiled a new ice cream flavor in honor of Stephen Colbert, named Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream, with all proceeds going to charity.
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: Presidential Candidacy Announcement
On October 16, 2007, Stephen Colbert announced his intention to run for president on both the Republican and Democratic platforms during his show.
October 28, 2007: Campaigning in South Carolina
On October 28, 2007, Stephen Colbert campaigned in Columbia, South Carolina, where he received the key to the city, continuing his mock presidential run.
November 1, 2007: Colbert's presidential application refused
On November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13–3 to refuse Colbert's application onto the ballot. They stated he was not a serious candidate. Several days later, Colbert announced he was dropping out of the race.
August 2008: Colbert Campaign Ads Appear in Marvel Comics Publications
In August 2008, Colbert campaign ads continued to appear in Marvel Comics publications, as late as Secret Invasion No. 5, which also features a cameo of an alien Skrull posing as Colbert.
October 2008: Colbert Makes Appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man
In October 2008, Colbert made an extended 8-page appearance webslinging with Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man issue No. 573.
November 2008: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! Released on DVD
In November 2008, the Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, was released on DVD.
November 23, 2008: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! Aired on Comedy Central
On November 23, 2008, Colbert's Christmas special, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, aired on Comedy Central.
2008: Colbert teams up with Donorschoose.org again
In 2008, Colbert teamed up with Donorschoose.org again, asking supporters of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to donate to classrooms. Colbert created a "straw poll that makes a difference" leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, resulting in Colbert viewers donating $185,000 to projects reaching 43,000 students in Pennsylvania public schools.
April 14, 2009: NASA Renames Treadmill COLBERT
On April 14, 2009, NASA officially renamed its new treadmill, previously known as T-2, to "Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill", or COLBERT, in honor of Stephen Colbert's involvement in the Node 3 naming census for the ISS module, Tranquility.
June 5, 2009: Colbert Films Shows in Baghdad for "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando"
On June 5, 2009, Colbert arrived in Baghdad, Iraq, to film a week of shows called "Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando" sponsored by the USO (United Service Organizations). During the first episode, which featured a cameo appearance from U.S. president Barack Obama, Colbert had his hair cropped in a military style.
August 2009: COLBERT Treadmill Delivered to ISS
In August 2009, the COLBERT treadmill was transported to the International Space Station (ISS) via the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-128 mission.
2009: Colbert voices the president in Monsters vs. Aliens
In 2009, Colbert voiced the president of the U.S. in the film Monsters vs. Aliens.
January 2010: Colbert Named Assistant Sports Psychologist for US Olympic Team
In January 2010, Colbert was named the assistant sports psychologist for the US Olympic speed skating team at the 2010 Winter Olympics and invited to be part of NBC's coverage team.
January 2010: Grammy Award for Comedy Album
In January 2010, Stephen Colbert received the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for his album A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!.
September 10, 2010: Stewart and Colbert Announce 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 Develops For Colbert 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: Stewart and Colbert Announce 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". Both were eventually merged into the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.
September 24, 2010: Colbert Testifies Before House Judiciary Subcommittee
On September 24, 2010, Colbert testified in character before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Security. He was invited to describe his experience participating in the United Farm Workers' "Take Our Jobs" program.
October 30, 2010: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
On October 30, 2010, Stewart and Colbert held competing rallies on the Washington, D.C., Mall, Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity", and Colbert's "March to Keep Fear Alive". Both were eventually merged into the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.
2010: Scripto was conceived.
Scripto, a collaborative script software was conceived at the end of 2010.
April 2011: Colbert Performs in Stephen Sondheim's Company
In April 2011, 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. The show, featuring Neil Patrick Harris, ran for four nights and was filmed for later showings in movie theaters.
May 2011: Colbert Files Request with FEC for Media Exemption
In May 2011, Colbert filed a request with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) asking for a media exemption for coverage of his political action committee, ColbertPAC, on The Colbert Report.
May 2011: Colbert Joins Charleston to Bermuda Race
In May 2011, Colbert joined the Charleston to Bermuda Race yachting race as captain of the ship "the Spirit of Juno". He finished second, five miles behind leaders "Tucana".
June 2011: FEC Grants The Colbert Report a Limited Media Exemption
In June 2011, the FEC voted 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. Following the hearing, Colbert formally filed paperwork for the creation of his Super PAC with the FEC secretary.
January 16, 2012: Colbert Encourages Viewers to Vote for Herman Cain
On the January 16, 2012, episode, Colbert satirically encouraged his viewers to vote for Herman Cain in the South Carolina primary, considering it a vote 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 for The Colbert Report through the end of 2014.
2012: Colbert considers running for president of South Carolina
After the 2012 New Hampshire primary, a poll for the South Carolina primary placed Colbert at 5%, ahead of Jon Huntsman. On January 12, Colbert announced he was forming an exploratory committee for a possible candidacy for President of the United States of South Carolina.
2012: Colbert Collaborates with Montclair Film Festival
Since 2012, Colbert has collaborated with the Montclair Film Festival in Montclair, New Jersey, hosting fundraising events and leading conversations with various artists and journalists.
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.
December 18, 2014: End of The Colbert Report
On December 18, 2014, Stephen Colbert's show, The Colbert Report, ended its run.
2014: Colbert hosts Kennedy Center Honors
In 2014, Colbert hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, beginning a three-year streak through 2016. Also in 2014, Colbert and Rob Dubbin created Scripto, a collaborative script software.
2014: End of The Colbert Report
In 2014, Stephen Colbert's show, The Colbert Report, ended its run.
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 on CBS, with George Clooney as his first guest.
September 2015: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Debut
In September 2015, Stephen Colbert began hosting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.
2015: Hosting The Late Show
In 2015, Colbert was hired to succeed David Letterman as host of the Late Show on CBS.
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.
2016: Colbert hosts Kennedy Center Honors for the third time
In 2016, Colbert hosted the Kennedy Center Honors for the third consecutive year.
September 2017: Hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
In September 2017, Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
September 17, 2017: Host of the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 17, 2017, Stephen Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was broadcast on CBS.
2017: Colbert hosts the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2017, Colbert hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2019: Colbert Hosts Conversation with Tolkien Cast
In 2019, Colbert hosted a conversation with the cast of the film Tolkien as part of an event for Montclair Film and Fathom Events.
2021: Colbert Moderates Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion
In 2021, Colbert moderated Lord of the Rings cast reunions 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, along with other talk show hosts, began hosting the comedy podcast Strike Force Five to support their staff during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
2023: Colbert to Help Produce Chronicles of Amber TV Adaptation
In 2023, it was reported that Colbert would help produce a television adaptation of the fantasy series The Chronicles of Amber.
2024: Producer on After Midnight
From 2024 Stephen Colbert was a producer on the CBS late-night comedy panel game show, After Midnight, alongside his wife Evie.
2024: Publication of Does This Taste Funny?
In 2024, Stephen Colbert and Evelyn Colbert co-authored Does This Taste Funny?, a cookbook featuring recipes from their family, centered on Lowcountry cuisine.
July 17, 2025: Announcement of The Late Show's End
On July 17, 2025, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026 after 33 years.
August 2025: Guest Appearance on Elsbeth
In August 2025, it was reported that Stephen Colbert would make a guest appearance as a late-night host on the CBS show Elsbeth, reuniting with Amy Sedaris.
2025: Producer on After Midnight
In 2025 Stephen Colbert was a producer on the CBS late-night comedy panel game show, After Midnight, alongside his wife Evie.
May 2026: Planned End of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is planned to end in May 2026 after 33 years, as announced by CBS on July 17, 2025.
2026: Co-writing Lord of the Rings Film
In 2026, it was announced that Stephen Colbert would co-write a new film in the Lord of the Rings franchise, titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past", alongside his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens, adapting early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring.
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