“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” signed off with a little help from the host’s friends.
The final episode of the long-running late-night TV series aired May 21 and featured a star-studded collection of guests and cameos.
The series launched in 1993 with original host David Letterman. Colbert took over in 2015 after Letterman retired. CBS announced in July 2025 that it would be canceling the show.
Here’s a look at who appeared on the final episode:
Paul McCartney
The Beatles legend served as the final guest and gave Colbert a picture of the Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show”in 1964. That show, of course, was shot in Ed Sullivan Theater, which is where “The Late Show” taped.
Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello
McCartney also helped close the show after original bandleader Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello headlined as performance that ended with Colbert saying goodnight. Before they signed off, though, McCartney appeared onstage, as he, Colbert and the other acts sang the Beatles’ classic “Hello, Goodbye” to close out the episode.
Bryan Cranston
The Emmy-winning “Breaking Bad” star, sitting in the audience, appeared when he interrupted Colbert’s opening monologue, feigning disappointment when he was told there were too many guests to squeeze him in.
A crestfallen and hurt Cranston barged out of the theater and tossed his “Late Show” hat in the audience. “You can keep your stupid hat, I’m gonna go sell my ticket,” he said.
Paul Rudd
The “Ant-Man” star, who was also in the audience, was gung ho about reading a long poem, only to be told that he would also not be the final guest.
“Well, I guess it’s a little awkward that I brought you the traditional retirement gift,” he replied, referencing a half dozen bananas he had with him.
Tim Meadows
The former “Saturday Night Live” star and longtime friend of Colbert’s, sitting in front of Rudd, was more open with his faux anger at being told he wouldn’t be the last guest.
“Screw you, Colbert!” he said before storming out with Rudd’s bananas.
Tig Notaro
The comedian, known for being oblivious about pop culture, took a different approach to being on hand for the finale, saying she had no interest in the show. She said she’s more into “historic events” and wasn’t even aware that it was Colbert’s final show.
Ryan Reynolds
The “Deadpool” star rolled with the punches when he discovered that he, too, would not be the last guest.
“In that case, I’m just happy to be here, pay my respects to the, one of the world’s greatest entertainers on his last night at the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he said.
After Colbert thanked him, Reynolds turned the tables by saying he was talking about his keyboardist, Corey Bernhard, while also holding six bananas that he handed to Bernhard as they exchanged a hug.
Jon Stewart, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Andy Cohen and Elijah Wood
Talk about an eclectic mix of talent. The group appeared in a segment where a wormhole opened up to suck up the show and continued the support Colbert had gotten from fellow late-night hosts Oliver, Fallon, Meyers, and Kimmel, who appeared on his show earlier this month.
Andy Cohen also made a brief appearance in the bit. Kimmel and Fallon each aired reruns of their respective shows last night to help keep the focus on Colbert.
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