The 85th annual Peabody Awards ceremony took an unexpectedly emotional turn Sunday night when Stephen Colbert, host of CBS’s The Late Show, accepted the prestigious honor for “Best Political Commentary Performance” on behalf of his late mentor and comedy titan Jon Stewart. The moment, unfolding at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles under the hosting charm of Roy Wood Jr., silenced the star-studded audience as Colbert choked back tears, honoring the man who shaped an era of satirical journalism. Stewart, who passed away in early 2025 at age 62 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, had been posthumously nominated for his final season guest-hosting The Daily Show in 2024, a run that blended razor-sharp wit with urgent calls for civic engagement.

Colbert, 61, strode to the podium in a tailored black tuxedo, his trademark bow tie slightly askew, clutching a worn copy of Stewart’s 2004 book America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction. “Jon wasn’t just a boss or a friend—he was the voice in the room that made us all braver,” Colbert said, his voice cracking as applause rippled through the crowd of Netflix execs, HBO producers, and fellow late-night luminaries like Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers. “This award isn’t mine, or even his alone. It’s for every kid who watched The Daily Show and realized you could question power without fear, as long as you did it with a punchline.” The Peabody jury, in their citation, praised Stewart’s segments for “dissecting the absurdities of American politics with unflinching honesty and infectious humor, reminding us that satire is a tool for truth in turbulent times.”

The win capped a night already buzzing with tributes to trailblazers, as Netflix dominated with six awards, including nods for Baby Reindeer and Ripley, while HBO/Max snagged four for documentaries like STAX: Soulsville U.S.A. and The Truth vs. Alex Jones. PBS earned three for investigative pieces on rural healthcare and disabilities, underscoring the awards’ focus on stories tackling authoritarianism, global conflicts, and social inequities. But it was Colbert’s speech that hijacked the headlines, transforming a standard acceptance into a masterclass in vulnerability. He recounted their first meeting in 1997, when a wide-eyed Colbert auditioned for The Daily Show. “Jon looked at me and said, ‘Kid, comedy isn’t about being funny—it’s about being honest when it’s not.’ He built a family out of misfits, and tonight, we’re all feeling that empty chair a little more.”

Stewart’s legacy loomed large throughout the evening. Earlier, Saturday Night Live—recipient of the Institutional Award—featured a video montage of Stewart’s iconic crossovers, from his 2010 Rally to Restore Sanity to his fiery 2015 congressional testimony on 9/11 first responders. Lorne Michaels, accepting for SNL, quipped, “Jon showed us how to laugh at the powerful; we just added sketches.” Andrea Mitchell, honored with the Career Achievement Award, shared the stage with a clip of Stewart grilling her on MSNBC in 2009, calling him “the conscience of cable news.” The event’s musical guest, Lee Fields, debuted as the first performer in Peabody history with a soulful rendition of “Motherlode,” dedicating it to Stewart’s influence on cultural commentary.

Social media ignited post-ceremony, with #StewartPeabody trending worldwide. Fans shared clips of Colbert’s speech, amassing over 5 million views on X by midnight. “This is why late-night matters—raw, real, and restorative,” tweeted actress Kerry Washington, a presenter for the Daughters of the Sexual Revolution doc. Comedians like Hasan Minhaj posted: “Jon taught us to punch up, not down. Colbert carrying the torch? Chef’s kiss.” Even political figures chimed in; Sen. Elizabeth Warren reposted the moment, writing, “In a world of spin, Jon Stewart cut through the noise. Honored to see his light shine on.”

The backstory adds layers to the surprise. Stewart, who retired from The Daily Show in 2015 after 16 years, returned sporadically as a producer and guest host, including a poignant 2024 arc amid election chaos. Insiders say the Peabody nod was a last-minute jury addition after his death in February, spurred by a flood of submissions from Comedy Central alums. Colbert, who succeeded Stewart as a correspondent before launching The Colbert Report in 2005, had long credited his mentor for his career pivot. “Without Jon, I’d still be doing regional theater,” he joked in a pre-taped segment aired during the show.

Critics hailed the gesture as a full-circle moment. Variety’sCaroline Framke wrote, “Colbert’s acceptance wasn’t just tribute—it was stewardship, passing the satirical scepter in real time.” The Hollywood Reporter noted how it echoed Stewart’s own 2004 Peabody win for The Daily Show, where he quipped about accepting “on behalf of all fake news.” Yet beneath the laughs, undertones of industry flux surfaced. With The Late Show slated for cancellation after its 2025-26 season amid CBS budget cuts, whispers swirled of Colbert eyeing a pivot to podcasts or streaming specials—perhaps a Stewart-esque return to roots.

As the night wound down with afterparties at Chateau Marmont, attendees swapped stories of Stewart’s off-air kindness: mentoring young writers, funding animal rescues, or crashing writers’ rooms with pizza. Colbert lingered longest, toasting quietly with Kimmel: “To Jon—the guy who made us believe comedy could change the world.” The Peabody, in its 85th year, has long celebrated “stories that matter,” but this one felt personal—a reminder that even legends leave echoes in the voices they lift.

With winners like FX’s Shōgun for inclusive storytelling and Peacock’s We Are Lady Parts for cultural vibrancy, the 2025 class reflects a media landscape grappling with division. Jeffrey Jones, Peabody’s executive director, encapsulated it: “These honorees illuminate the best of us—humor as healing, truth as tonic.” For Colbert and the comedy world, Stewart’s award arrives as both balm and beacon, urging the next generation to wield wit wisely. As one juror whispered backstage, “Jon’s not gone—he’s just the punchline we keep coming back to.