CBS announced that the staple show would end not long after the network settled a lawsuit from President Donald Trump, and the coincidental timing wasn't lost on anyone—least of all Stephen Colbert himself, who was more diplomatic than he needed to be about it.
Hosted by The Daily Show and The Colbert Report alum since 2015, The Late Show's interviews often transcended other late night chat shows, striking strong emotional chords as much as tickling audiences' funny bones.
Here are the best Late Show with Stephen Colbert interviews, ranked.
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Stephen Colbert's Best Late Show Interviews
21. James Talarico
Rep. James Talarico (D-Tx.) on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Feb. 11, 2026Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: CBS Announces Replacement for 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'
20. Conan O'Brien
Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien on "The Late Show" on Nov. 1, 2019Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Conan O'Brien appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Nov. 1, 2019, where he turned the tables (er, desk) and interviewed Colbert himself—and learned that Colbert was rejected as a writer for O'Brien's show!
19. Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish and Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" on Aug. 15, 2017Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
"I think I have a Tiffany Haddish problem now," he said. "You're amazing. You're extraordinary ... What a joy, just to sit next to you."
Haddish knew what was up, telling Colbert that on her list of goals was to someday be on his show and "have you googly-eye me, like, yes."
18. Christine Baranski
Christine Baranski and Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show" on June 23, 2021Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Christine Baranski and Colbert had a truly delightful singalong to Steven Sondheim's "Side by Side" when the Good Fight star stopped by in 2021.
17. Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd and Peter Jackson
Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on June 29, 2021Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Colbert is a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and stars Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd joined forces with director Peter Jackson to quiz the host (and future LOTR franchise screenwriter!) about his knowledge of the J.R.R. Tolkien books and films.
16. BTS
BTS on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on May 15, 2019Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
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15. Andrew Garfield
Andrew Garfield on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Nov. 22, 2021Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Andrew Garfield, whose mother died just before filming his Oscar-nominated turn in Tick, Tick ... Boom!, reflected on grief when he appeared on The Late Show in 2021—and Colbert, ever the pro, knew better than to interrupt or go to a commercial during something so profound.
14. Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Oct. 15, 2025Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
"Listening to others has changed my life," Cooper said of coping with grief. "It has saved my life."
Related: His Bank Account Is Full of Good News! Get a 360-Degree View of Anderson Cooper’s Net Worth in 2026
13. Donald Trump
Donald Trump on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Sept. 22, 2015Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Prince Harry Issues Blunt Takedown of Donald Trump in Surprise 'Late Show' Appearance
12. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai on "The Law Show with Stephen Colbert" on Sept. 25, 2015Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Stephen Colbert Reveals the A-List Beauty He Found ‘Wildly Distracting’ During His Late-Night Career
11. Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on July 21, 2020Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Greta Thunberg, climate and human rights activist, chatted about protecting the planet and activism. Colbert strikes a balance of admiring her youth without treating her like a child, while also reminding the world that we can tackle serious problems and still appreciate levity at the same time.
10. Barack Obama
Barack Obama on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2020Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Stephen Colbert Still Has Barack Obama Salty Over Wastepaper Basketball Loss
9. Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on July 21, 2016Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Jon Stewart Reacts to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Suspension by 'Praising' Donald Trump
8. Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on March 9, 2018Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
"You got me," he said, his eyes welled up.
Related: Stephen Colbert Loves This Ina Garten Chicken Recipe—After Trying It, I Can See Why
7. Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
A quick a refresher: Sanders held 38 campaign rallies for Clinton after she won the 2016 nomination—more than Clinton herself did in her entire run—and more Sanders supporters voted for Clinton in 2016 than 2008 Clinton supporters voted forBarack Obama. Despite all of this, and the Democratic National Committee stacking the deck in her favor, she still blames him for loss, perhaps because it's easier on the ego than self-reflection would be.
Sanders became a regular guest on The Late Show, often to promote increasingly popular progressive ideals, including a higher minimum wage and Medicare for All, as well as the fight against fascism during Trump's second term.
6. Joe Biden
Joe Biden on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Sept. 10, 2015Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Josh Brolin and Stephen Colbert’s Hilarious Bromance Steals the Show in Chaotic Interview
5. Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver
Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver and Seth Meyers on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on May 11, 2026Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Stephen Colbert Issues Direct Response to Jimmy Kimmel's Monologue in Record-Breaking Return
4. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Oct. 4, 2018Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Lady Gaga on Trauma, Depression and Surviving Sexual Assault
3. Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Feb. 4, 2026Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Drew Barrymore Transforms Iconic Dance on 'The Late Show' 30 Years Later
2. David Letterman
David Letterman on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on May 14, 2026Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
"I will say—and I have every right to be pissed off, so I'll be pissed off here a little bit," Letterman fumed. "You can take a man's show, but you can't take a man's voice."
Related: Stephen Colbert Teases New Career After 'The Late Show' Ends
1. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on May 10, 2019Photo by CBS Photo Archive on Getty Images
Related: Stephen Colbert & Wife Evie—Find Out How They Met & Which Celeb Once Babysat for Them!
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