Stephen Colbert Net Worth 2024: Stephen Colbert is an Emmy-winning American comedian, writer, and television host with an estimated net worth of $75 million in 2024, primarily known for hosting “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Colbert has an estimated net worth of $75 million.
- His annual salary is $15 million for hosting The Late Show.
- Colbert rose to fame as a correspondent on The Daily Show and host of The Colbert Report.
- He has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work in television.
- Colbert has been married to Evelyn McGee-Colbert since 1993 and they have three children.
Stephen Colbert: A Comedy Icon’s Rise to Late Night Stardom
Early Life and Education
Stephen Tyrone Colbert was born on May 13, 1964 in Washington D.C. The youngest of 11 children, Colbert grew up in Charleston, South Carolina after his family relocated there when he was young. Tragedy struck in 1974 when his father and two older brothers were killed in a plane crash.
Colbert attended Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, where he developed an interest in acting and performing. After high school, he enrolled at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia with plans to study philosophy. However, he later transferred to Northwestern University to pursue theater, graduating in 1986 with a degree in performance studies.
Early Career in Comedy
After college, Colbert joined Chicago’s famed Second City comedy troupe, where he honed his improvisational skills alongside future comedy stars like Steve Carell and Amy Sedaris. He also performed with the sketch comedy group Exit 57 and wrote for shows like The Dana Carvey Show in the mid-1990s.
Colbert’s big break came in 1997 when he was hired as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. His satirical political reporting and deadpan persona quickly made him a fan favorite. During his time on The Daily Show, Colbert also co-created and starred in the cult Comedy Central series Strangers with Candy alongside Amy Sedaris.
Rise to Stardom with The Colbert Report
In 2005, Colbert launched his own Daily Show spin-off series, The Colbert Report. As host, Colbert portrayed an over-the-top conservative pundit character, offering biting political satire through the lens of his fictional persona. The show was an immediate hit, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase over its nine-year run.
The Colbert Report cemented Colbert’s status as one of the sharpest political satirists on television. He won multiple Emmy Awards for the series and even testified before Congress in character in 2010. The show came to an end in 2014 when Colbert was tapped to take over CBS’s The Late Show following David Letterman’s retirement.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Colbert debuted as host of The Late Show in September 2015. While he initially struggled to find his footing in the more traditional late night format, Colbert eventually hit his stride by leaning into political comedy and commentary. His biting critiques of the Trump administration helped boost the show’s ratings and cultural relevance.
Today, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert consistently ranks as the highest-rated late night program. Colbert has won two Emmy Awards for his work on the show. In 2019, he signed a contract extension with CBS through 2023, with his annual salary increasing to $15 million.
Net Worth and Earnings
Stephen Colbert’s net worth is estimated at $75 million as of 2024. The bulk of his wealth comes from his television salary and various entertainment projects over the years.
During the early seasons of The Late Show, Colbert earned around $6 million per year. His 2019 contract extension bumped his annual salary up to $15 million. In addition to his CBS paycheck, Colbert earns income from book deals, voice acting work, and producing projects.
Personal Life and Family
Colbert has been married to Evelyn McGee-Colbert since 1993. The couple met in Charleston and now reside in Montclair, New Jersey with their three children – Madeleine, Peter, and John.
A devout Catholic, Colbert has spoken openly about his faith and how it informs his worldview and comedy. He teaches Sunday school and is an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church Monastery.
Political Views and Activism
While Colbert portrayed an arch-conservative character on The Colbert Report, his personal political views lean liberal. He identifies as a Democrat and has been an outspoken critic of Republican politicians, particularly Donald Trump.
Colbert uses his platform on The Late Show to comment on political issues and interview high-profile political figures. He has hosted presidential candidates and even did a week of shows from Russia in 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Awards and Accolades
Over his career, Colbert has racked up an impressive collection of awards, including:
• 9 Primetime Emmy Awards
• 2 Grammy Awards
• 2 Peabody Awards
• Inclusion on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2006 and 2012
Latest News
In recent days, Stephen Colbert has been at the center of a renewed feud with former President Donald Trump. The conflict began when Colbert, during a PBS interview, referred to Trump as “boring.” This seemingly innocuous comment sparked a heated reaction from the former president.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to post an angry rant about Colbert. In his post, Trump called Colbert a “loser” and criticized the late-night host’s ratings and performance. The former president’s outburst quickly became a topic of discussion in media circles.
Never one to back down from a comedic opportunity, Colbert addressed Trump’s comments on his show, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” In his signature style, Colbert delivered a line-by-line response to Trump’s social media post, turning the former president’s words into fodder for comedy.
Colbert’s rebuttal was filled with his characteristic wit and sarcasm. He joked about Trump’s claims and even found humor in being called “boring” by the former president. This back-and-forth has once again highlighted the ongoing tension between Colbert and Trump, a dynamic that has been a recurring theme in Colbert’s comedy since Trump’s presidency.
The incident has reignited discussions about the role of late-night comedy in political discourse and the power of social media in amplifying conflicts between public figures. It also demonstrates Colbert’s continued influence in the political comedy landscape, even years after the end of Trump’s presidency.
Legacy and Impact
Stephen Colbert has left an indelible mark on American comedy and political discourse over the past two decades. From his pioneering work in political satire on The Colbert Report to his current role as CBS’s premiere late night host, Colbert has shaped how millions of Americans engage with politics and current events through comedy.
His quick wit, charm, and intellectual approach to humor have made him one of the most respected figures in entertainment. As he continues his run on The Late Show, Colbert remains a powerful voice in American culture and politics.
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