Childhood and Education Journey of Stephen Colbert in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Stephen Colbert. A timeline of key moments.
Stephen Colbert is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, singer, and television host. He gained prominence hosting 'The Colbert Report' (2005-2014), a satirical news program on Comedy Central. Since 2015, he has hosted 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on CBS, showcasing his comedic and interviewing skills.
May 13, 1964: Stephen Colbert Born
On May 13, 1964, Stephen Colbert was born. He is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, singer, and television host.
1969: Father's Role at Medical University
In 1969, Stephen Colbert's father, James William Colbert Jr., became the first vice president of academic affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
1972: Colbert Owns Nixon Campaign Poster
In 1972, Richard Nixon ran his presidential campaign, and Stephen Colbert owns a poster from that campaign. It hangs on a wall in his office, displaying Nixon's focus on human resources.
September 11, 1974: Family Tragedy
On September 11, 1974, Stephen Colbert's father and two of his brothers, Paul and Peter, died in a plane crash while en route to enroll Paul and Peter at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut.
1982: College Enrollment
In 1982, Stephen Colbert enrolled at Hampden–Sydney College in Virginia, where he majored in philosophy and participated in plays.
1984: Transfer to Northwestern University
In 1984, after two years at Hampden–Sydney College, Stephen Colbert transferred to Northwestern University to study performance as a theater major.
1986: Job at Second City
After graduating in 1986, Stephen Colbert took a job answering phones and selling souvenirs at Second City and signed up for improvisation classes.
1986: Graduation from Northwestern
In 1986, Stephen Colbert graduated from Northwestern University's School of Communication.
1990: McGee Meets Jon Stewart
Evelyn McGee met Jon Stewart in 1990, before meeting Stephen Colbert. They met at the world premiere of Hydrogen Jukebox at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston.
1993: Colbert Marries Evelyn McGee
Stephen Colbert married Evelyn "Evie" McGee-Colbert in 1993. They met at the world premiere of Hydrogen Jukebox at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston.
2000: Reference to 2000 Election
In November 1, 2007 Stephen Colbert referenced the 2000 election, wherein a tight recount in Florida was settled in a landmark Supreme Court decision. Colbert dropped out of the presidential race because he didn't wish to put the country through an agonizing Supreme Court battle
2004: Colbert Identifies as a Democrat
In 2004, Stephen Colbert described himself as a Democrat in an interview, noting that he has "no problems with Republicans, just Republican policies". This clarified his political leanings at the time.
June 2006: Colbert Receives Honorary Doctorate from Knox College
In June 2006, Stephen Colbert received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from Knox College after speaking at the school's commencement ceremony.
February 2007: Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream
In February 2007, Ben & Jerry's unveiled a new ice cream flavor in honor of Colbert, named Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream.
March 20, 2007: Stephen Colbert Day
On March 20, 2007, Oshawa Mayor John Gray declared March 20, 2007, Stephen Colbert Day, honoring a previous bet with Stephen Colbert.
August 2007: "Air Colbert" Named
In August 2007, Virgin America named an airplane "Air Colbert" in his honor.
October 16, 2007: Colbert Announces Presidential Candidacy
On October 16, 2007, Stephen Colbert announced his candidacy for president on The Colbert Report, intending to run as a "favorite son" in South Carolina on both the Republican and Democratic platforms.
October 28, 2007: Colbert Campaigns in South Carolina
On October 28, 2007, Stephen Colbert campaigned in Columbia, South Carolina, and received the key to the city from Mayor Bob Coble as part of his presidential bid.
November 1, 2007: Colbert's Presidential Application Denied
On November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted against adding Stephen Colbert to the ballot for the presidential election. Colbert later dropped out of the race.
June 2, 2008: Princeton University Class Day Address
On June 2, 2008, Colbert delivered the Class Day address to the graduating class of Princeton University and accepted the Class of 2008 Understandable Vanity Award.
August 2008: Colbert Campaign Ads Appear in Marvel Comics
In August 2008, Colbert campaign ads continued to appear in Marvel Comics publications, including Secret Invasion No. 5, which also featured a cameo of an alien Skrull posing as Colbert, solidifying his fictional presence in the Marvel Universe.
2008: Colbert Teams Up with DonorsChoose.org
In 2008, Stephen Colbert again teamed up with Donorschoose.org, asking supporters of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to donate to Pennsylvania classroom projects in honor of their favorite candidate, raising $185,000 for schools.
2008: Species Named After Colbert
In 2008, a species of California trapdoor spider was named Aptostichus stephencolberti and a Chilean stonefly named Diamphipnoa colberti, both formally described in 2008 were named after Colbert.
April 14, 2009: NASA Renames Treadmill
On April 14, 2009, NASA renamed its new treadmill the "Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill", or COLBERT, after Stephen Colbert.
June 5, 2009: Colbert Arrives in Baghdad for USO Show
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 cropped his hair in a military style.
August 2009: Treadmill Taken to ISS
In August 2009, the COLBERT treadmill was taken to the International Space Station (ISS) by the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-128 mission.
September 10, 2010: Stewart and Colbert Announce 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's 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, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced competing rallies on the Washington, D.C., Mall for October 30, 2010. Stewart announced "Rally to Restore Sanity", and Colbert's was "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. He discussed his experience in the United Farm Workers' "Take Our Jobs" program and broke character to explain his purpose for being at the hearing.
October 30, 2010: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
On October 30, 2010, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's competing rallies merged into the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, held on the Washington, D.C., Mall.
May 2011: Colbert Participates in Charleston to Bermuda Race
In May 2011, Colbert captained the ship "the Spirit of Juno" in the Charleston to Bermuda Race, finishing second.
2011: Northwestern University Commencement Speaker
In 2011, Colbert was the commencement speaker for Northwestern University and received an honorary degree.
2012: Collaboration with Montclair Film Festival Begins
Since 2012, Stephen Colbert has collaborated with the Montclair Film Festival, participating in fundraising events and leading Q&As with various figures, with his wife being a founder and the current president of the board.
2013: Colbert Criticizes Nixon's Vietnam War Actions
In 2013, Stephen Colbert spoke about Richard Nixon's prolongation of the Vietnam War for political gain, saying it led to the deaths of thousands, shattered trust in the American military, and changed the press relationship with the president forever.
2014: Aleiodes colberti Named After Colbert
In 2014, a species of parasitic wasp from Ecuador, Aleiodes colberti, was named for Colbert.
2015: Wake Forest University Commencement Speaker
In 2015, Stephen Colbert received an honorary degree from Wake Forest University as the commencement speaker.
2016: Colbert Comments on Hillary Clinton's Candidacy
In 2016, Stephen Colbert described Hillary Clinton as representing the systemic corruption of Washington D.C., expressing doubts about her candidacy and ability to defeat Donald Trump.
2016: Sonoma colberti Named After Colbert
In 2016, a rove beetle, Sonoma colberti, was named after Colbert's on-screen persona.
May 2021: Honorary Degree from Yale University
In May 2021, Colbert received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yale University.
May 2023: Colbert Banned from Russia
In May 2023, Stephen Colbert was permanently banned from entering Russia along with 500 other Americans, due to being "involved in the spread of Russophobic attitudes and fakes," in response to U.S. sanctions.
December 11, 2023: Colbert Returns to The Late Show
After recovering from surgery, Colbert returns to The Late Show on December 11, 2023.
2024: Expected Retirement of the ISS
Around 2024, the International Space Station is expected to be retired.
2024: Colbert Criticizes Israel's Actions in Gaza
In 2024, Stephen Colbert criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians and called for a ceasefire in Gaza after the World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack, holding Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible.
2028: Possible Extension of ISS
In 2028, there is a possibility that the International Space Station will be extended beyond 2024.
