Stephen Colbert has seen all of it as a late-night talk show host — but even he couldn’t predict how beautiful Michelle Williams could be upon their first meeting.
Through the Wednesday, May 13, episode of the “Strike Force Five” podcast, Colbert, 62, dished about which of his past guests on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert “was so attractive” that he “found it distracting.”
“I’ll let you know who I didn’t expect to be wildly drawn to. Like, I didn’t know what to do with myself,” Colbert told his podcast cohosts, fellow late night hosts, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.
He confessed, “I didn’t — I like this person’s work, but I never considered them as a bombshell — I didn’t know what to do with my eyeballs when Michelle Williams was on for the primary time.”
Colbert recalled the Dawson’s Creek alum, 45, stopping him in his tracks when she was on stage with him.
Stephen Colbert, Michelle Williams. Getty Images (2)
“She sat down across from me and I went, ‘F***. What’s mistaken with my head? I’d higher not look directly at her for this complete interview,’” he revealed. “There was something about her vibe. Her face. All the pieces. … She’s so beautiful.”
Colbert — who’s married to wife Evelyn McGee Colbert — also pointed to Rachel Weisz, Rebecca Ferguson and Andrew Garfield as actors who left him in awe.
“I used to have a Rachel Weisz problem,” he said. “I’ve recovered. When Rachel Weisz could be on The Day by day Show, I would go away the constructing for fear I might say something silly. I used to be afraid I might stand within the hallway and go, ‘Hi.’”
Stephen Colbert is opening up about his next chapter after CBS canceled his late night show. In a brand new interview with GQ, which was conducted shortly before The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won big on the 2025 Emmy Awards, Colbert, 61, said he “accepted” the network’s decision to drag the plug on his show. […]
Because the group of entertainers laughed, Colbert added, “Who else is wildly attractive? Rebecca Ferguson. Because she brings game.”
He also shared, “Andrew Garfield, he’s so attractive,” before noting that he kissed the Spider-Man actor on his show as well.
Colbert continued to make a journey down memory lane throughout the podcast, revealing which actors he’s faced in an armwrestling match on TV.
Being a celeb guest on a chat show isn’t at all times smooth sailing— remember Dakota Johnson’s infamous on-air clapback to Ellen DeGeneres over a birthday celebration invite? Celebrity interviews are a dangerous — but crucial — element of any talk show, since an exclusive chat with an A-lister can draw huge rankings or generate infinite social […]
The comedian recalled competing against Daniel Craig, John Krasinski and Josh Brolin, all of which he lost to.
“I took arm wrestling lessons to challenge — because when Krasinski was back on, I desired to beat him. I went to considered one of these skilled guys,” Colbert remembered, admitting, “I lost the least, that point.”
Colbert’s funny stories about his time on screen come ahead of his final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, airing on Thursday, May 21.
Colbert previously announced in July 2025 that the show is coming to an end after 11 seasons, after being canceled by CBS.