Stephen Colbert is widely known for his long career in comedy and late-night television, but he is also the father of three children. Stephen Colbert’s children are Madeleine, Peter and John Colbert, whom he shares with his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert.
Although their father has spent decades in the public eye, the Colbert children have generally maintained lower profiles. As adults, however, all three have developed interests in media, writing, film or other creative fields.
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How Many Children Does Stephen Colbert Have?
Stephen Colbert has three children: one daughter and two sons. Madeleine is the oldest, followed by Peter and then John.
Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert have been married since 1993. A Yale University profile of Stephen Colbert also confirms that the couple are parents to Madeleine, Peter and John.
Stephen Colbert Children Names and Ages
Public biographical sources report that Madeleine was born in 1995, Peter in 1998 and John in 2002. This means all three of Stephen Colbert’s children are now adults.
Who Is Madeleine Colbert, Stephen Colbert’s Daughter?
Madeleine Colbert is Stephen and Evelyn’s eldest child. She attended Yale University and graduated as a member of the Yale College Class of 2018.
Madeleine has developed a career in journalism and television rather than becoming an on-screen celebrity like her father. Public reporting says she has worked with TIME and The Atlantic and later became involved with 60 Minutes. As of 2026, she has been identified as an associate producer for the CBS news program.
Information Table: Stephen Colbert’s Children
| Name | Birth Year | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Madeleine Colbert | 1995 | Journalism and television production |
| Peter Colbert | 1998 | Writing, directing and film work |
| John Colbert | 2002 | Yale education and creative projects |
| Parents | — | Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert |
| Number of Children | — | Three |
What Does Madeleine Colbert Do for a Living?
Madeleine has worked behind the scenes in journalism and television. Her career includes work connected with established media organizations rather than comedy performance.
She also gained early journalism experience with 60 Minutes. A CBS News article published in 2017 carried her byline while she was still a college student.
Who Is Peter Colbert, Stephen Colbert’s Older Son?
Peter Colbert is the middle child of Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert. He attended Northwestern University, the same university his father attended.
Peter has shown a strong interest in filmmaking, directing and screenwriting. His career has mostly developed behind the camera rather than through regular public appearances.
Is Peter Colbert Working With Stephen Colbert?
Yes. One of the most interesting recent developments involving Stephen Colbert’s children is Peter’s professional collaboration with his father.
In 2026, Stephen revealed that he and Peter had developed an idea for a new Lord of the Rings film. Variety reported that Peter worked with his father on the story before the project was developed further with filmmaker Peter Jackson and screenwriter Philippa Boyens.
This project shows that Peter’s interest in storytelling has grown into professional screenwriting work.
Who Is John Colbert, Stephen Colbert’s Youngest Son?
John Colbert, born in 2002, is the youngest of the three Colbert children. Like his older sister Madeleine, he attended Yale.
Yale’s earlier profile of Stephen Colbert identified John as a member of the Yale College Class of 2025. More recent reporting describes him as a Yale graduate who has also taken part in creative projects, including short films.
John has not built the same level of public career as his father, and reliable information about his long-term professional plans remains limited.
Were Stephen Colbert’s Children in The Hobbit?
Peter and John appeared with their parents in 2013’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
The film’s credits list Stephen, Evelyn, Peter and John as Laketown spies. Peter was credited under the name Peter Colbert, while some professional credits also identify him as Peter McGee.
The appearance had a special connection to Stephen’s well-known interest in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Who Is the Mother of Stephen Colbert’s Children?
The mother of Stephen Colbert’s children is Evelyn McGee-Colbert. Stephen and Evelyn married in 1993 and went on to raise Madeleine, Peter and John together.
The family has long been associated with New Jersey. Although Evelyn has occasionally appeared in film and public events, the couple has generally avoided making their children a major part of Stephen’s celebrity image.
Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert’s Family Life
Stephen has spoken publicly about parenthood over the years, often mixing serious reflections with humor. Reports about his family life suggest that he tried to keep his television career separate from his role as a father.
That approach helped Madeleine, Peter and John grow up without becoming regular television personalities simply because their father was famous.
What Has Stephen Colbert Said About Raising His Children?
Colbert has described parenting as an important and meaningful part of his life. He has also suggested that his children were not raised to treat his television personality as the center of family life.
Humor was still an important part of the household. Public interviews and profiles describe a family environment in which jokes, conversation and playful arguments were common.
This may also help explain why all three children have shown some connection to writing, journalism, film or storytelling.
Where Are Stephen Colbert’s Children Today?
As adults, Stephen Colbert’s children have taken different paths. Madeleine has moved into journalism and television production, while Peter has pursued writing and filmmaking and is now working with his father on a major fantasy-film project. John has completed his university education and has some early creative credits.
None of the three has sought the same type of fame that Stephen achieved through television. Their public careers remain relatively independent, and many details about their personal lives are appropriately private.
Read More: Diane Lou Oswald: Woody Harrelson’s Mother and Her Life
Interesting Facts About Stephen Colbert’s Children
- Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert have three children: Madeleine, Peter and John.
- Madeleine and John both attended Yale University.
- Peter attended Northwestern University, following his father’s connection to the school.
- Peter and John appeared with their parents in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
- Madeleine has built a career in journalism and television production.
- Peter has worked with Stephen Colbert on the development of a new Lord of the Rings film project.
- Despite growing up with a famous father, Madeleine, Peter and John Colbert have generally kept their personal lives away from constant public attention.
