Stephen Colbert Overcome with Emotion Before Tribute to Late Staffer

Stephen Colbert became visibly psychological before an on-air tribute to staffer Amy Cole at the finish of the Monday, April 1, episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

Cole, who was Colbert’s longtime government assistant, spanning his time on The Colbert Report and The Late Demonstrate, died on March 31 immediately after a quick ailment. She was 53.

“That’s it for The Late Clearly show,” Colbert, 59, commenced, right before pausing for various seconds and tapping his desk as he collected himself.

“Good night,” he concluded, right before standing up and walking off set. The exhibit then displayed a black title card with Cole’s picture and the text, “Dedicated to Our Mate Amy Cole, 1970-2024.”

Cole’s obituary states she died “peacefully” and is survived by her mom and dad, two sisters and 5 nieces and nephews.

“Working with Colbert for 16 yrs was much more than a occupation to Amy,” the obituary reads. “It gave her a objective and furnished an chance to showcase herself as an remarkable teammate to all people included. She was adored by her full Late Exhibit operate spouse and children, and she will be greatly missed.”

Cole’s colleagues flooded social media with their views and tributes. Director and producer Jake Plunkett posted by using X, “Words are not able to evaluate how massive a loss Amy Cole is to this planet. F–k cancer.”

Late Clearly show author and producer Opus Moreschi added, “Amy Cole was a beacon of light-weight and pleasure and relaxed in the swirling chaos of our office. I am absolutely gutted that she’s gone.”

Moreschi and Plunkett both of those encouraged their followers to donate to Cole’s favourite charity, Radio Lollipop. Her obituary also referenced the charity, which presents treatment and enjoyment products and services to hospitalized young children.

“All donations acquired by this attractiveness will be shared equally involving the Radio Lollipop Texas and New York chapters and will go directly to supporting the small children that we operate with as a gift in Amy’s identify. This will support us to preserve her awesome spirit alive in our operate that she was so passionate about.”

A fund developed in Cole’s title has lifted more than $27,000 from 233 donations for Radio Lollipop.

“Amy’s aid and leadership within Radio Lollipop spans two many years and helped so a lot of ill children, equally in Texas and in New York Children’s hospitals,” the donation web site reads. “Amy’s abilities as a kid lifestyle expert in Texas and her senior management role in recruiting volunteers for Radio Lollipop in New York played a major function in our operate.”