When Stephen Colbert took the stage at the 2025 Emmy Awards to accept the trophy for Outstanding Talk Series, he didn't just rattle off the usual list of agents and network suits. Instead, he got visibly choked up. He mentioned his wife, his kids, and then his voice wavered as he dedicated the win to a "young woman who should be here tonight."
That woman was Amy Cole.
If you aren't a die-hard credits-watcher, you might not have known her face, but she was the engine behind the scenes for 16 years. Amy wasn't just an employee; she was the glue that held the "swirling chaos" of late-night TV together. When she passed away in March 2024 at just 53 years old, the loss didn't just affect Colbert—it left a crater in the entire Late Show family.
Who Was Amy Cole?
Amy Cole was born on October 14, 1970, in Houston, Texas. She eventually found her way to the high-stakes world of New York City television production. Most people know her as Stephen Colbert’s executive assistant, but that title barely scratches the surface of what she actually did.
Her career with Colbert started way back in the Colbert Report days on Comedy Central. She followed him to CBS when he took over The Late Show in 2015. Over 16 years, she became his right hand. Think about that for a second. Sixteen years in show business is like eighty years in any other industry. To stay by someone’s side through the transition from a cable persona to a network powerhouse requires an insane level of trust and competence.
She also worked on projects like Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News. Basically, if Colbert was involved, Amy was there making sure the trains ran on time.
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That Heartbreaking Late Show Moment
The first time the general public really felt the weight of her absence was on the April 1, 2024, episode of The Late Show. Usually, the show ends with Stephen cracking a joke or waving as the band plays him out.
Not that night.
Stephen sat at his desk, tapped it twice—a small, personal gesture—and looked into the camera with watery eyes. He barely managed to get out the words, "That’s it for the Late Show, goodnight," before walking off-set in total silence. No music. No credits. Just a black screen with a card that read: "Dedicated to our dear friend Amy Cole, 1970-2024."
What Happened to Amy Cole?
Naturally, when a high-profile tribute like that happens, people start searching for answers. The official word from her obituary and various reports, including Deadline, was that she died "peacefully" following a "brief illness" on March 31, 2024.
While the family kept specific details private initially, colleagues later hinted at the reality of her struggle. Late Show director Jake Plunkett and writer Opus Moreschi both posted tributes on social media that included the blunt phrase, "F--- cancer."
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It’s a reminder that even in the polished world of 11:35 PM television, real life is happening behind the curtain. Amy had spent years of her life helping children with cancer through her work with Radio Lollipop, an international charity that provides play and entertainment to kids in hospitals. She held a senior leadership role there for over two decades. It’s a bit of a cruel irony that she ultimately faced the same disease she spent so much of her life fighting on behalf of others.
Why the 2025 Emmy Tribute Mattered
Flash forward to the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2025. Colbert was 61, the show was nearing its end (it had been announced earlier that summer that The Late Show would wrap after 10 seasons), and the emotions were high.
Colbert’s mention of Amy during his speech wasn't a scripted PR move. It was the sound of a man who realized that his success was built on the shoulders of people the audience never sees. He called her "brilliant" and "a young woman who should be here."
When you work that closely with someone for 16 years, you aren't just a boss and an assistant. You’re partners in the grind. You see each other through the writers' strikes, the elections, the global pandemics, and the personal losses. For Colbert, who has been very open about the grief in his own life—having lost his father and two brothers in a plane crash when he was a boy—losing Amy was clearly a deeply personal blow.
The Legacy She Left Behind
Amy’s coworkers described her as a "beacon of light and joy." In an industry famous for big egos and "scream-at-the-assistant" tropes, Amy was the opposite.
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- The Ultimate Caregiver: Her obituary noted that her purpose in life was taking care of people, and she excelled at it.
- The Global Friend: She loved to travel and apparently made friends in every corner of the world.
- The Charity Leader: Her work with Radio Lollipop continues. After her death, a fund was set up in her name that raised tens of thousands of dollars almost instantly.
The $27,000+ raised in the weeks following her passing went directly to supporting the Texas and New York chapters of Radio Lollipop. It’s a tangible way her influence continues to exist, even if she isn't there to organize the volunteers herself anymore.
Why We Still Talk About Amy Cole and Stephen Colbert
Honestly, the reason this story resonates isn't just because of the "celebrity" factor. It’s because everyone has had—or wants to have—that one person at work who makes the hard days bearable.
Amy Cole represented the unsung heroes of production. When you watch The Late Show, you see the lights, the guest stars, and the host. But Amy was the one making sure the guest was comfortable, the schedule was tight, and the host was focused.
Colbert’s refusal to let her death go unnoticed is a testament to his character, but more importantly, it's a testament to hers. She was clearly someone who demanded respect through her kindness and competence rather than through a title.
If you want to honor her memory or understand why the Late Show crew was so "gutted" by her loss, you can look into the work she loved. Supporting organizations that bring a little bit of play and distraction to sick kids is exactly what she would have wanted.
How to Support Amy’s Cause
If you're moved by the story of Amy Cole and Stephen Colbert, the best way to act is to look into Radio Lollipop. They are always looking for volunteers and donations to help provide "care, comfort, play, and entertainment" to children in hospitals. It was Amy's passion for over 20 years, and it remains the best way to keep her "beacon of light" shining.