Stephen Colbert's Love Story With Wife, Evelyn McGee Surfaces Amid CBS Row Over James Talarico

Stephen Colbert engaged in a public row with CBS and the FCC after the network allegedly blocked a broadcast interview with James Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. During his February 16, 2026, monologue, Stephen told his audience that CBS lawyers had forbidden him "in no uncertain terms" from airing the interview or even mentioning its cancellation on air. CBS disputed it, claiming they merely provided "legal guidance" that broadcasting the interview would trigger the FCC's "equal-time rule."

According to the rule, the show would be required to give comparable airtime to James Talarico's opponent, Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Disregarding broadcast regulations, Stephen conducted a 15-minute interview with James and posted it on The Late Show's YouTube channel. In the video, the politician and the host suggested the move was an attempt to suppress Democratic momentum in Texas and protect Republican incumbents, prompting intense online scrutiny. The buzz surrounding Stephen has brought the spotlight on his wife, Evelyn, his biggest support in times like these.

Who is Evelyn McGee-Colbert, Stephen Colbert's wife?

Evelyn 'Evie' McGee-Colbert is an American film and television producer and former actress. Born on July 23, 1963, she is aged 62 (as of February 2026), a year older than her husband, Stephen Colbert. While frequently seen by Stephen's side at public events, Evelyn is an accomplished professional in her own right. She serves as the Vice President of Spartina Productions, the production company founded by her husband. Her executive producer credits include the film version of Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself and the CBS show, After Midnight.

Evelyn is a founding member and current President of the Board of Trustees for Montclair Film, which hosts the annual Montclair Film Festival. She had a small cameo as a Laketown spy in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) alongside her family. She also tried her hand at acting and book writing. Evelyn played the mother of Stephen's character, 'Chuck Noblet', in Strangers with Candy. In 2024, the couple co-authored a cookbook titled Does This Taste Funny?: Recipes Our Family Loves, featuring recipes inspired by their South Carolina roots.

How did Evelyn McGee-Colbert and Stephen Colbert's love story start?

Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert had a fateful encounter in 1990 in a theatre lobby in Charleston, South Carolina, though they had unknowingly crossed paths for years. At that time, Stephen had moved back to his hometown from Chicago after struggling with a marriage ultimatum from a former girlfriend. While attending the world premiere of the musical, Hydrogen Jukebox, at the Spoleto Festival with his mother, he saw a beautiful Evelyn in a black linen dress across the lobby and was instantly smitten. He recalled the moment as love at first sight and thought to himself:

"Her. That's your wife. You're going to marry her."

Stephen revealed the first meet story during an episode of The Late Show. His wife also noticed him at the festival, later sharing that she was struck by how handsome he was and how he "loved his mother," as they walked into the theatre arm-in-arm. Stephen and Evelyn formally met at the show's afterparty while standing in line for food. During that time, they had a two-hour-long conversation and realised they lived only two blocks apart and that their families had known each other for decades. Despite these deep roots, they had never properly met until that night.

Stephen Colbert married Evelyn McGee-Colbert after three years of dating

Stephen, whose then-girlfriend asked him to either get married or break up with her, chose the latter after his encounter with Evelyn. Stephen left his former lover because he was unsure whether he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but with Evelyn, he felt an instantaneous certainty that she was the one. After ending his previous relationship, Stephen and Evelyn went on their first date in December 1990. They dated for about three years before tying the knot on October 9, 1993. The couple has since welcomed three children, daughter, Madeline and sons, Peter and John, to their loving family. As of February 2026, all of them are adults.

Evelyn McGee-Colbert stood as a pillar by Stephen Colbert during the pandemic

Stephen frequently credits his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, as his "rock" and speaks fondly of her. The Emmy-winning comedian and host has revealed several times that Evelyn has played a critical role in keeping The Late Show afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. She helped produce the CBS programme from their home. In fact, while accepting his 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special, he said:

"I'm going to call my wife to celebrate as soon as I get through all this because she was a huge part of this past year and this night, too."

Evelyn McGee-Colbert's love and support might help Stephen Colbert deal with the online scrutiny surrounding his recent public row with CBS and the FCC over the broadcast interview with James Talarico.

Also Read: Kayla Noel Day Is Nancy Guthrie's Niece? Rumoured Family Ties Amid Former's Arrest With Luke Daley

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)