Stephen Colbert was overcome with emotion on Monday night before he paid tribute to a staffer who died.
In a clip posted to X (formerly Twitter), the host is shown sitting at his desk as he delivers closing remarks for the episode.
“That’s it for the ‘Late Show,'” Colbert, 59, said to a very quiet studio audience before getting choked up.
Tapping his desk with the palm of his hand, Colbert then offered a short “goodnight” before walking off stage.
A guitar then began to play as the screen faded to black. A title card appeared, reading: “Dedicated to our dear friend Amy Cole, 1970-2024.”
Colbert’s reaction sparked an outpouring of sympathy.
“Life is always too short, my deepest sympathy,” one user wrote.
“We were all confused over what was happening. He was hugging people, and then he came back to his desk,” a second viewer recounted. “He asked us not to applaud and proceeded to his close. I am so sorry for his and the show’s loss.”
“So sorry to hear this. Condolences to her family, work family, her friends and all who knew her,” posted a third person.
The Post reached out to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” for comment.
In an obituary for Cole — who worked for Colbert as a personal and executive assistant — it was stated that the Texas native died Sunday “after a brief illness.”
Cole worked with Colbert for 16 years.
“Working with Colbert for 16 years was more than a job to Amy,” the statement read. “It gave her a purpose and provided an opportunity to showcase herself as an incredible teammate to everyone involved.”
“She was adored by her entire ‘Late Show’ work family, and she will be greatly missed.”
Jake Plunkett, who serves as the show’s director and producer, revealed that Cole was reportedly battling cancer when he took to X to honor his late colleague.
“Words cannot measure how big a loss Amy Cole is to this world,” he wrote. “F–k cancer.”
Opus Moreschi, one of Colbert’s writers and producers, called Cole “a beacon of light and joy and calm in the swirling chaos of our workplace.”
Both men implored their followers to donate to an organization called Radio Lollipop, which focuses on “providing care, comfort, play, and entertainment to sick children in hospital.”
Cole was reportedly involved with the organization for two decades and held a senior leadership role in recruiting volunteers.
