Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks
On May 13, 2026, with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert just days from its final episode, Tom Hanks came by to say goodbye. In typical Hanks fashion, he joked that he wasn’t sure how the entertainment industry would survive without Colbert.
It was a fitting send-off. Hanks was one of the most familiar faces on The Late Show over the years, and his warm, playful chemistry with Colbert made him a fan favorite. Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks are two of the most liked people in American entertainment: one a late-night host known for sharp wit, the other a two-time Oscar winner often called “America’s dad.”
This article covers their Late Show history, both of their backgrounds, career highlights, and what’s next for each.
Quick Facts
| Stephen Colbert | Tom Hanks | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Tyrone Colbert | Thomas Jeffrey Hanks |
| Born | May 13, 1964 | July 9, 1956 |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C. | Concord, California |
| Education | Northwestern University | Chabot College, Sacramento State |
| Known for | The Colbert Report, The Late Show | Forrest Gump, Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan |
| Major honors | Multiple Emmys and Peabody Awards | Two Academy Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom |
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks on The Late Show
A Regular Guest
Hanks appeared on The Late Show many times after Colbert took over in 2015. He came to promote films like Sully, The Post, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Elvis, and he often joined Colbert in comedy bits.
The Final Weeks
Hanks appeared on May 13, 2026, during the show’s next-to-last week. The final week featured a “Not a Clip Show!” retrospective, guests including Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg, a Bruce Springsteen performance, and the series finale on May 21, 2026.
Hanks’s visit on Colbert’s birthday made for one of the warmest moments of the show’s farewell.
Why Their Chemistry Works
Both men are known for being kind and quick-witted. Colbert brings sharp, playful questions, and Hanks brings funny stories and a willingness to be silly. Their conversations often feel like two friends catching up rather than a standard celebrity interview.
Stephen Colbert: Early Life and Education
Stephen Colbert was born on May 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C., the youngest of 11 children, and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. He studied at Hampden-Sydney College, then transferred to Northwestern University, where he studied theater and graduated in 1986. He trained at The Second City in Chicago.
Stephen Colbert: Career Timeline
- 1997 to 2005: Worked as a correspondent on The Daily Show.
- 2005 to 2014: Hosted The Colbert Report on Comedy Central.
- 2006: Gave a famous in-character speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
- 2015: Took over The Late Show from David Letterman.
- 2017 onward: The Late Show became late night’s most-watched show for several seasons.
- July 2025: CBS announced the show would end in May 2026.
- May 21, 2026: Hosted the final episode of The Late Show.
- 2026: Is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film for Warner Bros. with his son, Peter McGee, with Peter Jackson involved.
Tom Hanks: Early Life and Education
Tom Hanks was born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California. His parents divorced when he was young, and he moved often with his father. He studied theater at Chabot College and then California State University, Sacramento. He left college to work at the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland.
Tom Hanks: Career Timeline
- 1980 to 1982: Starred in the sitcom Bosom Buddies.
- 1984: Broke out in the film Splash.
- 1988: Earned his first Oscar nomination for Big.
- 1993: Won the Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia.
- 1994: Won Best Actor again for Forrest Gump, becoming one of only two actors to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars.
- 1995: Voiced Woody in Toy Story and starred in Apollo 13.
- 1998: Starred in Saving Private Ryan.
- 2000: Starred in Cast Away.
- 2016: Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and starred in Sully.
- 2019: Played Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, earning another nomination.
- 2020: Received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes.
- 2022: Played Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis.
- 2023: Published his first novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
How Their Careers Compare
| Category | Stephen Colbert | Tom Hanks |
|---|---|---|
| Main field | TV comedy and hosting | Film acting and producing |
| Breakout | The Colbert Report | Splash, Big |
| Signature work | The Colbert Report, The Late Show | Forrest Gump, Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan |
| Writing | Several bestselling books | A novel and a short story collection |
| Honors | Emmys, Peabodys, a Grammy | Two Oscars, Medal of Freedom |
| Public image | Witty, kind, thoughtful | Warm, trustworthy, beloved |
What Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks Have in Common
- Beloved public images: Both are seen as kind and genuine.
- Authors: Colbert has written several books, and Hanks has published a short story collection and a novel.
- Family life: Both have spoken warmly in public about their families.
- Theater roots: Colbert trained in improv theater, and Hanks started in stage acting.
- Long careers: Both have been on screens for decades.
Where Are They Now?
Stephen Colbert ended The Late Show on May 21, 2026, and is co-writing a Lord of the Rings film.
Tom Hanks continues to act and produce, and remains one of the most respected stars in Hollywood.
Where to Watch
Clips of Tom Hanks’s appearances are on The Late Show’s official YouTube channel. For Hanks’s films, start with Big, Forrest Gump, and Toy Story. For Colbert, watch highlights of The Colbert Report and The Late Show.
Two Writers
Both men have published books. Colbert’s titles include I Am America (And So Can You!) in 2007 and America Again in 2012, both written in his Colbert Report persona, and Stephen Colbert’s Midnight Confessions in 2017. Hanks published Uncommon Type, a short story collection, in 2017, followed by his first novel in 2023. Hanks is also a famous collector of vintage typewriters, which appear throughout Uncommon Type.
Late-Night Chemistry
What made Hanks such a strong Late Show guest was his willingness to play along. Whether he was joining a comedy sketch, telling stories from movie sets, or trading jokes with Colbert, he always brought energy. Colbert, in turn, gave Hanks room to be funny and sincere at the same time.
That chemistry is a big reason fans loved seeing Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks together. Hanks’s visit during the show’s final weeks felt like a goodbye between old friends. For many viewers, Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks represented the best of late-night TV: warm, funny, and genuine.
In Short
Colbert built one of late night’s most beloved shows, and Hanks became one of Hollywood’s most trusted stars. Their friendship gave fans many memorable moments. Even as The Late Show ends, clips of their conversations will keep making viewers smile for years, and both men have new projects ahead. Fans will be watching what each does next, from Colbert’s Lord of the Rings script to Hanks’s next film role.
Fun Facts
- Hanks’s farewell visit fell on Colbert’s 62nd birthday.
- Colbert is a devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, which led to his Lord of the Rings writing project.
- Hanks and Colbert both have deep theater roots.
- Hanks’s typewriter collection includes hundreds of old, working machines.
Final Thoughts
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks built one of late-night TV’s most charming friendships. Hanks’s regular visits, including his farewell appearance on May 13, 2026, showed the warmth between them. Colbert built a career on smart, kind comedy, and Hanks built one on unforgettable roles. For fans, the Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks connection is a reminder that great talent and genuine kindness often go hand in hand.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Colbert was born May 13, 1964, in Washington, D.C. Tom Hanks was born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California.
- Hanks was a frequent Late Show guest and appeared on May 13, 2026, during the show’s next-to-last week, joking that he wasn’t sure the industry would survive without Colbert.
- Colbert hosted The Colbert Report from 2005 to 2014 and The Late Show from 2015 until its final episode on May 21, 2026.
- Colbert is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film with his son.
- Hanks won back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, voiced Woody in Toy Story, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
- Stephen Colbert and Tom Ha
