Stephen Colbert’s Life After ‘The Late Show’: Heartwarming Updates Fans May Have Missed
After saying goodbye to The Late Show earlier this year, Stephen Colbert stayed mostly out of the spotlight. Many fans wondered what he had been doing since the popular late-night program ended.
A few months later, Colbert returned to social media with a simple and sweet update that quickly caught attention. From celebrating his beloved dog to making public appearances and supporting his family, here are some of the biggest moments from Colbert’s life after the show.
A Sweet Return to Instagram
Stephen Colbert recently broke his social media silence with a post that was not about television, comedy, or a new project.
Instead, he shared a birthday message for his dog, Benny.
The Instagram post appeared on July 19 and celebrated Benny’s seventh birthday. The simple update gave fans a small look into Colbert’s personal life after the end of The Late Show.
Many followers were happy to see him posting again after spending several months away from social media.
Benny Remains a Fan Favorite
Benny is not just any family pet. Over the years, the Boykin spaniel became a familiar face to viewers of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The dog first appeared on the CBS program in December 2019 when he was still a puppy. It did not take long for audiences to fall in love with him.
During one memorable appearance, Benny sat on Colbert’s lap while excited audience members cheered and called out his name.
Those appearances helped make Benny one of the most recognizable pets in late-night television.
Benny Had a Special Role Behind the Scenes
Colbert has often shared stories about his dog during interviews and podcasts.
During a January 2025 episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, he spoke about Benny’s visits to the studio.
According to Colbert, Benny would sit in the same chair every time he came to rehearsals. He joked that the dog sat upright almost like a person.
The comedian said Benny watched everything so carefully that it looked like he was ready to offer advice about the show.
Colbert laughed that he wished Benny could actually give him notes.
Fans Said Goodbye to ‘The Late Show’
One of the biggest changes in Colbert’s life this year was the end of The Late Show.
After CBS canceled the long-running late-night program, the final episode aired on May 21, 2026.
The ending marked the close of an important chapter for Colbert, who spent 11 years hosting the show at New York City’s famous Ed Sullivan Theater.
For many viewers, the finale was emotional. Fans watched as Colbert took his final bow and thanked audiences who had supported the show over the years.
The program had become a regular part of many people’s nightly routines, making the farewell especially meaningful.
Colbert Did Not Stay Away From TV for Long
Although The Late Show ended in May, Colbert did not remain off television for very long.
Just one day after the final episode aired, he made a surprise appearance on a public access television show in Michigan.
The visit showed that his sense of humor remained as strong as ever.
While guest hosting, Colbert joked that it had already been difficult spending nearly a full day without being on television.
The appearance quickly became a fun talking point among fans who were still adjusting to life without his nightly show.
A Famous Sign Found a New Home
The end of The Late Show also meant saying goodbye to many familiar parts of the program.
One of those pieces was the well-known sign connected to the show.
Reports later revealed that the iconic sign had found a new home. For longtime viewers, it served as another reminder of the show’s lasting impact.
Even though the program is over, many of its most memorable symbols continue to be remembered by fans.
A Passion Project Connected to ‘The Lord of the Rings’
Outside of television, Colbert has also been connected to another project that reflects one of his longtime interests.
He is known for being a huge fan of J. R. R. Tolkien and the world of The Lord of the Rings.
Reports indicate that Colbert is working on a new film connected to the franchise alongside his son.
The project highlights a passion he has spoken about for years.
For fans who know his love for Tolkien’s stories, the news is not surprising. It also shows that Colbert continues to stay creatively active after leaving late-night television.
Supporting His Wife During a Special Moment
Another important public appearance came in June.
Colbert attended an event honoring his wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, as she stepped down from her role as president of the New Jersey nonprofit organization Montclair Film.
The occasion celebrated her years of leadership and contributions to the organization.
Friends, family members, and supporters gathered to recognize her work and achievements.
It was a meaningful event for the Colbert family and one that showed the strong support they have for each other.
A Musical Tribute for Evelyn
During the celebration, Colbert gave a touching tribute to his wife.
The former late-night host performed Sam Cooke’s classic song Bring It On Home to Me.
The musical performance was part of a series of tributes from loved ones who wanted to honor Evelyn’s accomplishments.
The moment added a personal touch to the event and gave attendees a chance to see another side of the comedian.
It also reflected the couple’s long relationship, which has lasted more than three decades.
While Colbert has not announced a new late-night television show, his recent activities suggest he is staying busy.
From spending time with Benny and supporting his family to making public appearances and working on creative projects, he continues to remain active even after the end of a major chapter in his career.
For now, fans seem happy to receive occasional updates, especially when they involve the dog who became a surprise star alongside him.
His recent Instagram post may have been simple, but it reminded many people that even after leaving the late-night stage, Stephen Colbert still has plenty of stories left to share.
Featured Image Source: instagram.com/colbert
