Stephen Colbert showed up to the 2026 Emmy Awards sporting a full, gray goatee, a noticeably scruffier look than fans are used to seeing from the former late-night host. Colbert addressed the new facial hair in an exclusive interview with E! News backstage at the ceremony, held inside Los Angeles' Peacock Theater.
The appearance comes months after The Late Show ended on CBS this past May, closing out 33 years on the air.
Colbert jokes about his "beard-bot"
Asked about his newfound fondness for facial hair, the 62-year-old comedian did not miss a beat. "This is all A.I.," Colbert joked. "This isn't actually on my face. This could transform at any moment into a robot or something."
He even gave the look a nickname. "This is a beard-bot," he added. "I've got to deal with Michael Bay and Gillette."
The Late Show wins Outstanding Variety Series
Jokes aside, Colbert had plenty to celebrate. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series, beating out The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver and Saturday Night Live. Colbert hosted the CBS franchise, previously fronted by David Letterman, for 11 years before it ended.
"So happy for everybody tonight, for the six teams that won last week at the Creative Arts Emmys, especially the writers, the director, the digital people," Colbert told E! News. "A great, lovely cherry on top for the 11 years that we were able to be together. The whole thing was a gift and this is just the bow at the end of it."
Colbert struck a similar tone during his acceptance speech onstage. "Thank you so much on behalf of the over 200 people who threw themselves at this show for 11 years to try to do the best show they possibly could for you," he said. "The thing about these late shows is that besides being a really good steady job is that they require so many people that they're a fantastic incubator for young people to come into work professionally on a deadline in cooperation, in collaboration, and that is the future of our business that we have to look after."
He closed with a message for the industry professionals watching. "I want you to know I've got some great news. They're all tech avail," Colbert said of his former staff. "Hire them: they will make your show better and your day easier."
Other winners at the 2026 Emmys
The Pitt led the drama field, winning Outstanding Drama Series along with lead actor honors for Noah Wyle. Rhea Seehorn won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, Allison Janney took Outstanding Supporting Actress for The Diplomat, and Tom Pelphrey won Outstanding Supporting Actor for Task.
Widow's Bay was the big comedy winner, taking Outstanding Comedy Series along with acting awards for Matthew Rhys, Kate O'Flynn, Stephen Root and Betty Gilpin. Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks, and Rob Reiner won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for The Bear.
In the limited series categories, DTF St. Louis won Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series along with supporting acting wins for Linda Cardellini and David Harbour. Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress for Remarkably Bright Creatures, while Matthew Rhys picked up a second trophy of the night, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, for The Beast in Me.
Shailene Woodley won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Paradise, and Ernest Harden Jr. won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt.
Reality categories saw Love on the Spectrum win Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, Antiques Roadshow win Outstanding Structured Reality Program, and The Traitors win Outstanding Reality Competition Program along with a hosting win for Alan Cumming. The Muppet Show won Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), and Jimmy Kimmel won Outstanding Host for a Game Show for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The Emmy Awards aired live on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streamed on Peacock, with E!'s red carpet coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
