Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, couldn’t contain his grief during the closing segment of Monday night’s show. After signing off for the night, Colbert visibly struggled to hold it together as the camera faded to black and transitioned to a touching tribute of Amy Cole, his long-time executive assistant who tragically died the day prior in New York.
Cole had been battling cancer, according to Deadline, and had been undergoing treatment at Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. As a rather out-of-character gesture for Colbert, he turned very seriously toward the cameras after Monday’s show. “That’s it for The Last Show,” he said. It appeared as if Colbert couldn’t find the words as he repeatedly slapped his desk, then rose up abruptly out of his chair with a monotone “good night.”
After Colbert’s exit from the set, a title card appeared reading, “Dedicated to our dear friend Amy Cole, 1970-2024.” The 53-year-old Houston native died March 31, according to her obituary. She arrived in New York City in 2002 to pursue a TV career as a production assistant and executive assistant on such shows as Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Related:
Piers Morgan Calls Out ‘Hyprocrite’ Stephen Colbert for “Disingenuous” Apology to Kate MiddletonHer obituary reads, “Working with Colbert for 16 years was more than a job to Amy. 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.”
“Words cannot measure how big a loss Amy Cole is to this world,” Late Show director and producer Jake Plunkett posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Plunkett also asks that we “spread the light that she gave to this world” as he urges anyone to donate to Radio Lollipop on behalf of Cole, no matter how big or small the donations may be.
Cole is survived by her parents, her two sisters and her extended family.
