Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks
One spent more than a decade at the Late Show desk, mixing political satire with silly bits and deep conversations. The other is one of the most loved actors in movie history, with two Oscars and a reputation as Hollywood’s nicest guy. Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks have one of late night’s best friendships.
Hanks appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 18 times. His final visit came in May 2026, just days before the show ended, when he helped celebrate Colbert’s 62nd birthday. Hanks, a famous typewriter collector, gave Colbert a classic Underwood typewriter and joked that he would soon need to type up résumés.
This profile covers Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks across ages, education, career timelines, awards, and 2026 news.
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks at a Glance
| Stephen Colbert | Tom Hanks | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Tyrone Colbert | Thomas Jeffrey Hanks |
| Born | May 13, 1964 | July 9, 1956 |
| Age (October 2026) | 62 | 70 |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., USA | Concord, California, USA |
| Education | Northwestern University (BA, 1986) | Chabot College; California State University, Sacramento |
| Known for | The Colbert Report, The Late Show | Forrest Gump, Toy Story, Saving Private Ryan |
| Major awards | Multiple Emmys | Two Oscars |
| Late Show visits | Host | 18 appearances |
Early Life and Education
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks both found their love of performing in school theater.
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert was born in Washington, D.C., in 1964 and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. He was the youngest of 11 children. When he was 10, his father and two of his brothers died in a plane crash.
He studied at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, then transferred to Northwestern University, where he graduated in 1986 with a degree in theater. He then trained in improv at Chicago’s Second City.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks was born in Concord, California, in 1956. His parents divorced when he was young, and he moved often with his father, a cook. He has said he moved many times as a child.
He found his passion in theater at Skyline High School in Oakland. He studied theater at Chabot College and then at California State University, Sacramento. He left to take an internship with the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland, which launched his acting career.
Career Timeline
Stephen Colbert’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Graduates from Northwestern and joins Second City |
| 1997 | Becomes a correspondent on The Daily Show |
| 2005 | Launches The Colbert Report |
| 2006 | Roasts President George W. Bush at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner |
| 2015 | Takes over The Late Show from David Letterman |
| 2017 | Hosts the Emmy Awards |
| 2025 | CBS announces The Late Show will end |
| 2026 | Hanks makes his 18th visit in May; final episode airs May 21 |
| 2026 | Co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film |
Tom Hanks’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Stars in the sitcom Bosom Buddies |
| 1984 | Splash |
| 1988 | Big earns his first Oscar nomination |
| 1993 | Philadelphia and Sleepless in Seattle |
| 1994 | Wins Best Actor for Philadelphia |
| 1995 | Wins Best Actor again for Forrest Gump; voices Woody in Toy Story |
| 1998 | Saving Private Ryan |
| 2000 | Cast Away earns another Oscar nomination |
| 2013 | Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks |
| 2016 | Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom |
| 2019 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood earns an Oscar nomination |
| 2022 | Plays Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis |
| 2025 | Stars in his own play, This World of Tomorrow, off Broadway |
| 2026 | Makes his 18th Late Show visit; stars in Lincoln in the Bardo |
Their Late Show Friendship
Tom Hanks was one of The Late Show’s most frequent guests.
- 18 visits: Hanks appeared on the show 18 times between 2015 and 2026.
- Big laughs: Over the years, he played games, told stories about his films, and joined silly sketches.
- The typewriter: In May 2026, Hanks gave Colbert an Underwood typewriter and dot matrix paper for his birthday. He joked that Colbert would soon need CBS stationery and résumés.
- Heartfelt stories: On that same visit, Hanks shared a story about spotting Sleepless in Seattle playing on a bus while stuck in traffic with director Rob Reiner, and the two pointing at the screen and mouthing, “That’s us!”
The two share a love of storytelling, history, and good manners, which made their talks feel easy and warm.
Two Different Paths to Stardom
Colbert is a comedian and host. He became famous for satire, playing a fake conservative pundit on The Colbert Report for nine years. On The Late Show, he became one of late night’s top hosts.
Hanks is a movie star with everyman charm. He went from silly comedies to serious dramas and became one of the most trusted faces in film. His roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and Saving Private Ryan made him an American icon.
| Trait | Stephen Colbert | Tom Hanks |
|---|---|---|
| Main craft | Comedy and hosting | Acting |
| Signature role | “Stephen Colbert” on The Colbert Report | Forrest Gump |
| Big hobby | Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings | Collecting typewriters |
| Writing | Co-writing a Lord of the Rings film | Wrote a short story book and a novel |
| Image | Smart, silly, and sincere | Kind, trustworthy, everyman |
Awards and Achievements
Stephen Colbert has won many Emmy Awards for The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and The Late Show, plus Grammy Awards for his comedy recordings.
Tom Hanks has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor, for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, making him one of only a few actors to win back to back. He has also won Golden Globes, Emmys for producing, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Personal Lives
Stephen Colbert married Evelyn McGee in 1993. They have three children. He is a devoted Catholic and a huge Tolkien fan.
Tom Hanks married actress Rita Wilson in 1988. He has four children, including actors Colin Hanks and Chet Hanks, from two marriages. He was married to Samantha Lewes from 1978 to 1987.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Stephen Colbert ended The Late Show on May 21, 2026, after CBS canceled it in a move the network called financial. He is now co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film with his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens, with Peter Jackson involved. He is 62.
Tom Hanks turned 70 in July 2026. He starred in and co-wrote the play This World of Tomorrow at The Shed in New York in late 2025. In 2026, he plays Abraham Lincoln in the film Lincoln in the Bardo and gave a script in hand reading at the Westport Country Playhouse in October.
Fun Facts
- Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks both started acting in school plays.
- Hanks owns hundreds of vintage typewriters and often gives them as gifts.
- Colbert made a cameo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
- Hanks published a short story collection, Uncommon Type, in 2017, with a typewriter in every story.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Tom Hanks on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? 18 times, with his last visit in May 2026.
What did Tom Hanks give Stephen Colbert? An Underwood typewriter and a box of dot matrix paper for his 62nd birthday.
How many Oscars has Tom Hanks won? Two, for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
What is Stephen Colbert doing now? He is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film.
Lessons From Their Careers
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks both show that kindness and talent can go hand in hand. Colbert was known for treating guests with warmth even while making sharp jokes. Hanks is famous for being generous to fans and coworkers. Both also kept growing, with Colbert moving from satire to sincere interviews and Hanks moving from comedies to serious dramas and now the stage.
What’s Next
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks are both writing new chapters. Colbert has said he may create another TV show one day, and Hanks continues to mix film, stage, and writing projects.
Why People Compare Them
Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks are two of the most liked people in American entertainment. Their many Late Show visits showed a real friendship built on humor and respect. As Colbert moves on from late night, his talks with Hanks remain some of the show’s best moments.
Fans often name their visits together among the most joyful moments in late night history. They will be missed on late night TV.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks share a friendship built on 18 Late Show visits, ending with a typewriter gift in May 2026.
- Stephen Colbert was born May 13, 1964, and is 62. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1986.
- Tom Hanks was born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, and is 70. He studied at Chabot College and Sacramento State.
- Colbert hosted The Colbert Report and The Late Show, which ended on May 21, 2026.
- Hanks won back to back Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
- In 2026, Colbert is co-writing a Lord of the Rings film, while Hanks stars in Lincoln in the Bardo.
