Stephen Colbert Gives Eulogy, Honors Mother Lorna On Show [Video]

Stephen Colbert paid tribute to his mother Lorna last night on The Colbert Report.

Lorna Colbert passed away last week at the age of 92. Colbert took a few days off from The Colbert Report to be with his family but he returned to the show last night.

The show opened without its regular introduction and instead quietly zoomed in on the comedian sitting at his desk.

Colbert said: Hi everybody, thanks for being here tonight. I’ve been away from the Report because one week ago today my mother Lorna died. I want to thank if everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Now if you watch this show, and you like this show, that’s because everybody here and I’m lucky enough to be one of them. And if you like this show, and you like me, that’s because of my mom. So before we start the show I’d like to tell you a little bit about her.”

The comedian then told the audience about where his mother grew up, how she met his father, and how she solved fights between Colbert and his 10 siblings by making everyone hug.

Colbert said: “She made a very loving home for us. No fight between siblings could end without hugs and kisses, though hugs never needed a reason in her house. Singing and dancing were encouraged, except at the dinner table. She had trained as an actress when she was younger and she would teach us how to do stage falls by pretending to faint on the kitchen floor.”

Colbert had to hold back tears several times while giving his television eulogy but in the end he pulled it together to welcome the audience to The Colbert Report. 

The comedian said: “When I was leaving her last week, I leaned over and said, ‘Mom, I’m going back to do the show.’ And she said, ‘I can’t wait to see it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’ ”

Then, turning to the camera, Colbert added: This Is The Colbert Report.