Stephen Colbert hosted his final episode of “The Late Show” on Thursday night, marking the end of his 11 seasons at CBS and closing the curtain on a franchise that shaped late-night television for more than three decades.
Colbert joined the network in 2015, succeeding David Letterman, who retired after hosting “The Late Show” for 22 years.
In July, CBS announced it was canceling “The Late Show” due to financial reasons.
The decision came weeks after Paramount settled a lawsuit with President Donald Trump for $16 million — a deal Colbert later referenced on-air during an episode titled “A Big Bribe.”
Here’s what celebrities and politicians are saying about Colbert’s final show.
Joe Biden, former US president
Joe Biden, the former US president, shared a photo of himself and Colbert on Instagram on Thursday.
“There aren’t many who can make people think and laugh at the same time. For years, Stephen brought wit, heart, and honesty to late night television. America could always count on a laugh — and sometimes a needed reality check. Congrats on an incredible run, my friend,” Biden wrote.
Kamala Harris, former US vice president
Kamala Harris, the former US vice president, wrote her farewell message to Colbert on X on Thursday.
“Stephen Colbert has a talent for making people laugh and encouraging them to stay curious, stay engaged, and stay hopeful about the world around them,” she wrote. “Thank you for your voice, your creativity, and so many memorable conversations over the years. Cheers to you.”
Jimmy Fallon, host of ‘The Tonight Show’
Late-night show host Jimmy Fallon paid tribute to Colbert on X on Thursday, sharing an illustration of Colbert and a dog aboard a boat named “Freedom” alongside a quote from “The Lord of the Rings.”
“There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for,” Fallon wrote in his post.
In March, Warner Brothers announced that Colbert, a longtime “Lord of the Rings” fan, was developing a new installment of the fantasy franchise with his son.
Jimmy Kimmel, host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel dedicated the opening monologue of his Wednesday episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to Colbert, and said his peer was being “pushed out” by CBS.
“I hope the people who did the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight, although I know they probably won’t. But that being said, I think it is most important to congratulate Stephen and the team at ‘The Late Show’ for all the great work over the last 11 years, and all the great work he will continue to do in other venues, I have no doubt,” Kimmel said.”
Even though he and Colbert are technically competitors, because their shows aired at the same time on different networks, it never felt like a rivalry, Kimmel said.
“I always love being on Stephen’s show. I loved having him here on ours. I hope we’re able to do that again. I hope he comes to visit as many times as possible,” he said.
Kimmel added that he would be off the air during Colbert’s final show and urged viewers to tune in to CBS one last time.
“Don’t ever watch it again, but watch tomorrow night to wish Stephen and our friends at ‘The Late Show’ a fond farewell,” he said.
Yvette Nicole Brown, actor
“Community” actor Yvette Nicole Brown paid tribute to Stephen Colbert in an Instagram video shared Thursday by the Committee for the First Amendment, a collective of entertainers and media figures advocating for free expression and opposing government intimidation and censorship.
“On ‘The Late Show,’ Stephen Colbert has used humor to bring us joy and hold power accountable,” Brown said in the video.
In another part of the clip, she called out the network for silencing Colbert.
“These are not the actions of the powerful. These are the actions of the threatened,” she added. “And these are violations of our first amendment.”
The committee was originally formed in 1947 to push back against McCarthy-era blacklists and was revived in 2025.
Jane Fonda, actor
Actor Jane Fonda was among the celebrities featured in the Committee for the First Amendment’s tribute video for Colbert.
In the video, she commended Colbert for remaining steadfast throughout his time on late night television.
“He made us laugh and he never flinched,” Fonda said.
Mark Ruffalo, actor
Actor Mark Ruffalo also appeared in the Committee for the First Amendment’s tribute video for Colbert.
“I’m gonna miss him, and I’m disturbed by what it means that he’ll be gone,” Ruffalo said.
In another moment from the video, he also praised Colbert for using late-night television to push back against authority.
“Stephen, you modeled the punchline as an act of resistance,” Ruffalo said. “You stood up courageously, even when it cost you personally.”
Read the original article on Business Insider
The post What the biggest names in showbiz and politics are saying about Stephen Colbert’s swan song appeared first on Business Insider.
