Stephen Colbert made an emotional plea to Hollywood execs to hire his staff as he addressed his “Late Show” cancellation in a surprise monologue at the 2025 Emmy Awards Sunday night.

The comedian, 61, was greeted to a standing ovation as he graced the stage to present the first award for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

The audience erupted into thunderous cheers and applause as A-listers rose to their feet, chanting “Stephen!” in unison, while Colbert looked on in awe.

Stephen Colbert accepts the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series award for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
Stephen Colbert made an emotional plea to Hollywood execs to hire his staff as he addressed his “Late Show” cancellation in a surprise monologue at the 2025 Emmy Awards Sunday night.REUTERS
“Thank you very much! You’re very kind! Sit down. We’ve got to go,” he told the audience, before addressing the cancellation of his long-running talk show.

“While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?” he quipped, prompting the audience to burst into laughter. “Because I’ve got 200 very qualified candidates with me here tonight, who will be available in June.”

The comic, whose show comes to an end in May 2026, joked that he had brought his resume to the star-studded event, as well as an old headshot of himself.

Stephen Colbert, winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series for "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" at the 77th Emmy Awards Governors Gala Winners Circle on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.
The comedian, 61, was greeted to a standing ovation as he graced the stage at the 2025 Emmy Awards Sunday.Invision for the Television Academy
“I haven’t had a chance to update my head shot in a bit, but I think it still works,” he quipped, showing an old black-and-white photo to the audience. “I am in there somewhere.”

He then asked Hollywood legend Harrison Ford to pass along his resume to filmmaker Stephen Spielberg, with the actor promptly retrieving the resume during the funny exchange.

Colbert then returned to the mic to present Seth Rogen with the award for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “The Studio.”

Stephen Colbert presents the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
The comic, whose show comes to an end in May 2026, joked that he had brought his resume to the star-studded event, as well as an old headshot of himself.Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Toward the end of the award ceremony, the crowd began to chant Colbert’s name again when he accepted the Emmy for outstanding talk series for “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

“Ten years later in September of 2025, my friends I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong. Be brave. And if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor!”

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Mondays June 13, 2022 show.
It was revealed in July that CBS had decided to cancel Colbert’s show after 10 years of being on the air.CBS via Getty Images

It was revealed in July that CBS had decided to cancel Colbert’s show after 10 years of being on the air

The network has publicly cited financial reasons behind the decision to ax the show.