He originated from a large family, being the youngest among ten siblings. However, at the tender age of 10, his life was irrevocably altered by a tragic event.
In 1974, his father — a doctor and an academic — along with his brothers Paul and Peter, lost their lives in a catastrophic plane crash.
This incident heralded the onset of a prolonged period of hardship, yet it also marked the beginning of what would evolve into an extraordinarily successful career in the entertainment industry.
When we examine Hollywood celebrities, it is easy to be captivated by the wealth, fame, and talent that appear to characterize their existence. It is often overlooked that many of them emerge from very modest backgrounds, facing dreams, family tragedies, and daily challenges just like anyone else.
Consider, for instance, the television star and actor we are highlighting today — his life has been influenced by a range of experiences, from a tragic plane crash to a pivotal health struggle.
This star was born in 1964 and spent his formative years in Maryland and South Carolina. His father was a distinguished physician, and the television personality has portrayed his parents as devout yet profoundly dedicated to intellectual pursuits. They instilled in their children the belief that it was acceptable to question the Church while still identifying as Catholic.
He recalls having a “rather conservative upbringing,” mentioning that his mother cast her vote for a Democrat — John F. Kennedy — only once throughout her life. In interviews, she has referred to him as “rambunctious.” As a child, he observed that Southerners were frequently depicted as less intelligent on television, prompting him to learn how to imitate the speech patterns of American news anchors to counter that stereotype.
On September 11, 1974, at the tender age of ten, he experienced the tragic loss of his father and two brothers, who were closest in age to him, in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 while attempting to land in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The brothers were en route to enroll at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. Unfortunately, the brief flight from Charleston never reached its intended destination, crashing into a hillside covered in cornfields just three miles from the runway.
The foggy conditions played a role in this disaster; however, a report from the National Transportation Safety Board determined: “The flight crew’s lack of altitude awareness at critical points during the approach was due to poor cockpit discipline, as the crew failed to adhere to the prescribed procedures.”
Out of the 82 individuals on board, only 13 survived.
In reflecting on this profound loss, the actor recounted to Anderson Cooper: “I was personally shattered, and then you reform yourself in this quiet, grieving world that was created in the house.”
“My mother had me to take care of, which I believe was somewhat of a gift for her, providing a sense of purpose at that time. Yet, I also had the responsibility of caring for her. The atmosphere became very quiet, very dark, and the usual concerns of childhood seemed to vanish.”
As the youngest child, he found himself spending several years alone with his mother, as his older siblings had already moved out.
After the tragedy, the star showed very little interest in school or studying.
“Nothing made any sense after my father and my brothers died. I kind of just shut off,” he recalled.
Instead, he turned to the realms of science fiction and fantasy, especially the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, which he continues to cherish to this day. He also found comfort in his Catholic faith, seeking to derive meaning from the profound loss he experienced.
In addition to his affection for sci-fi and fantasy, he uncovered a newfound enthusiasm for improvisation and theater, which ignited a fresh sense of purpose within him. This passion prompted him to transfer from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia to Northwestern University in Chicago, where he dedicated himself to the performing arts.
However, it was not until his college years that the full impact of his grief became apparent. He lost 50 pounds during his freshman year. In a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he confessed that he was in “bad shape” following the events that had influenced his early life.
“I was just green. I was just so sad about it. I just had time to sort of, I suppose, to be alone with the idea.”
While attending Northwestern University, the future television star aspired to become a dramatic actor. At that time, comedy was not particularly on his radar — even though it would eventually shape his career.
This trajectory began to change when he was recruited to join Second City’s touring company, initially serving as an understudy for Steve Carell. It was during this period that he established significant creative relationships with Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello, collaborators who would play a crucial role throughout his career.
Now that we have provided some hints about his career journey, you can likely deduce who we are discussing. That’s correct — Stephen Colbert.
The writer and performer, raised in South Carolina, did not secure his first major dream job, but he ultimately forged his own path to late-night fame. His ascent commenced on The Daily Show, which subsequently led to The Colbert Report, and eventually brought him to the most prestigious position in late night: The Late Show, where he succeeded the legendary David Letterman.
CBS launched The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on September 8, 2015, after Letterman’s retirement. Letterman had been the host of the program for over 20 years and had a late-night career that spanned three decades.
Upon Colbert’s selection as Letterman’s successor, CBS granted him significant creative freedom to transform the show. The network assured viewers that they would finally witness “the real Stephen Colbert,” indicating a departure from the satirical persona he had famously portrayed on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.
Colbert swiftly distinguished his rendition of The Late Show by heavily incorporating political commentary, making current events a central theme of the program from its inception. Simultaneously, he maintained the traditional late-night atmosphere, showcasing musical performances, celebrity interviews, and discussions with newsmakers and cultural figures.
This combination of incisive monologues, insightful interviews, and live music contributed to his rise to the top of the late-night ratings.
His success in front of the camera has also rendered Colbert a wealthy individual, with a net worth of $75 million. In addition to his financial achievements, he enjoys a fulfilling family life. Colbert has been married to Evelyn “Evie” McGee-Colbert since 1993, and they have three children: Madeleine (born 1995), Peter (born 1998), and John (born 2002). The family resides in Montclair, New Jersey.
In 2025, CBS announced its decision to conclude The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, officially retiring the entire The Late Show franchise in May 2026 after a remarkable 33-year tenure.
The network recognized that the program had dominated late-night ratings for nine consecutive seasons, stating: “Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult.”
However, the difficult choice to end The Late Show may be overshadowed by the personal struggles Colbert has endured. He once experienced a burst appendix while filming several episodes of his show, enduring significant pain. Following surgery, he depended on potent painkillers and humorously recounted the strange experiences and hallucinations that accompanied their use.
Additionally, he was diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a condition that leads to dizziness and balance issues. To cope with this, Colbert must engage in a series of regular exercises.
Colbert has also faced deep personal loss. In 2013, he mourned the passing of his mother, Lorna Elizabeth Colbert (née Tuck), at the age of 92. Reflecting on The Colbert Report, he shared:
“She endured more than her fair share of tragedy, having lost her brother, her husband, and three of her sons.
“Yet her love for her family and her faith in God somehow provided her with the strength not only to persevere but to embrace life without bitterness and instill in all of us a sense of gratitude for every day we share together.
“And while it may seem selfish to desire more days with someone who lived such a long life, the fact that my mother reached the age of 92 does not lessen the impact; it only amplifies the significance of the space whose door has now quietly closed.”
He also reflected on grief, describing it as its “own entity” and emphasized the necessity of reconciling with its “presence.”
“If you attempt to disregard it, it will resemble a wolf at your door,” he stated, as noted by Psychology Today.
Even though The Late Show is scheduled to conclude in 2026, Colbert’s impact at CBS is far from over. In 2023, he was appointed as the executive producer of After Midnight, a new late-night program hosted by comedian Taylor Tomlinson.
Regarding the project, Colbert expressed that it presents an opportunity to uplift new voices in late-night television while he continues his creative endeavors behind the scenes.
Therefore, it is hoped that we have not yet seen or heard the last of Stephen Colbert. Were you aware of his unfortunate backstory? Please feel free to share your opinions in the comments—and remember to share the article!
