by Robert Wilkinson
Today is the 61st birthday of Stephen Colbert, razor witted television maven of "truthiness," born May 13, 1964 in Washington D.C. His remarkable blend of playful satire, irony, faux right wing reasoning and deliberately obtuse self-centered egomania brought a refreshing humor to America's airwaves for 9 years via The Colbert Report. And now he’s King of late night television!
From the 2008 tribute, why he pronounces his name the way he does:
... it's time to offer a birthday shout-out to THE American icon of our times, the august Stephen Colbert. No, not Col-bert. He pronounces his name "Cole-bare" (spelled that way since Steven feels that bears are the numero uno "threat down" in America.) ...Apparently he was raised by enlightened descendants of French Catholics, since his parents allowed all of their numerous kids the privilege of pronouncing their last name the way they want...."
During the years he hosted The Colbert Report, his persona evolved from the "correspondent" on Jon Stewart's Daily Show, and his interviews went from pointed forms of "gotcha" to profound commentaries laced with irony and good humor (sometimes to the chagrin and/or amazement of his guests!) If youdidn’t catch this icon of our times on the Report, he was the razor's edge of blending wit, wisdom, and wise-guy attitude.
As I wrote in 2013, “Age 48 is the end of the end of what we’ve been doing since 21, a high point of endings and fulfillment, finishing old life values and relationships. When we are 49, we begin a new 7 year cycle that prepares us for the radical transitions between 49 and 56. We can now expect to see new approaches, new views, and new messages on his show regarding what he covers and how he covers it. It’s now an entirely different world and future for Rev. Sir Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A., and the entire Colbert Nation!”
That corresponded to him taking over the host chair for the Late Show from David Letterman. It marked a huge goodbye to the well-meaning, poorly informed right wing buffoon persona so carefully crafted for 10 years, and hello to an audience of tens of millions for the “real” Stephen!
If you want to check out one of the funniest gigs he ever did, here’s the link to the 2006 White House Correspondent’s Dinner. It’s all 27 minutes of Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.
He really was funny, even if some people were not laughing. A lot of DC pundits got their shorts in a bunch. I suppose the hoary homily holds here that "if you don't have a sense of humor, it's not funny." (Thanks, Wavy!!) And if you can find it, the clip of his show when he and Willie and Richard Holbrooke were singing together is a classic for all time! I’m sure you can find it on his Colbert Report archives at the Comedy Central site.
This year one of the funniest segments I've ever seen is gone. It was titled “Stephen Colbert interviews Jake Rush, “Chazz Darling Vampire Cop. We will miss this goofball (and no, I don't mean Jake Rush, aka "Chazz Darling!")
Speaking of his long friendship with Willie, after Willie got arrested for being herbed up in transit from somewhere to somewhere else in 2008, he wrote this brilliant tune for A Colbert Christmas! Willie Nelson and Stephen Colbert – Little Dealer Boy
From 2018, an 8 minute clip Stephen goes out to Willie’s tour bus…
Stephen Interviews Willie Nelson On His Tour Bus and from that show, “Summer Wind”
From The Late Show, on April 21, 2020, with sons Lukas and Micah Nelson, “Hello Walls”
So it's a very Happy and Merry Solar Return and Birthday to this French Irish whirlwind of ironic spin, a Taurus of amazing smiles, perfect hair, and ever-changing new best friends. All the best from this Cosmic Cantina and those of us who count ourselves as part of the Colbert Nation. And he’s made the Late Show rock harder than Letterman ever did!
In answer to a question there is no confirmed birth time. His Moon is between 11-16 Gemini. I have seen opinions of Leo rising (possible), Aries (not likely and doesn't look it), Gemini (possible) and Sagittarius (possible). He has the Leo rising confidence which puts his Sun at the top of the chart. Gemini/Sag rising are always on the move, but that also fits with his commuting between his two homes, his residence and his studio. I can see Leo rising with Moon in Gemini, as well as Sag rising with Moon in Gemini.
NOTE: I found a chart which is set for 11:50 am but I have no idea of its source. That puts him at 14 Leo rising with a MC at 5 Taurus.
© Copyright 2025 Robert Wilkinson
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