After honoring his close friend and coworker, Stephen Colbert got emotional on air.

Amy Cole was on Stephen’s show for many years, but she died of cancer not long ago. She was only 53 years old.

Stephen dedicated the end of his Late Show to his friend.

There was a title card with a picture of Amy at the end of Monday’s show.

The photo had a caption that said, “Dedicated to our dear friend Amy Cole, 1970–2024”

LateNighter says that people in the audience said the show, which was usually funny, became serious.

Stephen supposedly told them to stop cheering.

Stephen announced with a smile, “That’s all for the late show.”

He looked like he was thinking carefully and trying not to cry.

After saying “good night,” he quietly left the stage.

Members of the studio weren’t shown the title card, so they didn’t know why Stephen left so quickly.

Writers and staff members paid Amy moving tributes online.

“Working with and getting to know Amy Cole was one of the nicest things I’ve ever done.” We all loved her so much on our show, and we always will,” Brian Stack said on X, which used to be Twitter.

“In the middle of all the chaos at work, Amy Cole was a bright spot of joy, peace, and happiness.” The producer Opus Moreschi said, “I am so sad that she’s gone.”

“Please give to Amy’s favorite charity in her name if you love someone with cancer, or even if you don’t,” he said, adding a link to Radio Lollipop.