Stephen Colbert broke down in tears on air after honoring his close friend and coworker.

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

Stephen paid tribute to his friend at the end of his Late Show.

A title card with a picture of Amy showed up at the end of Monday’s show.

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

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

They said Stephen told them to pause their cheers.

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

His eyes looked like they were on the edge of tears.

He only said, “Good night,” and then he left the stage in silence.

The people in the studio didn’t see the title card, so they didn’t understand why Stephen left so quickly.

People who worked for the company wrote touching tributes to Amy online.

“Amy Cole was one of the nicest and most charming people I’ve ever met and worked with.” “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 midst of the chaos at work, Amy Cole was a bright spot of happiness, light, and calm.” “I am so heartbroken that she’s gone,” said producer Opus Moreschi.

And he added a link to Radio Lollipop. “If you love someone with cancer (or even if you don’t), please think about giving to Amy’s favorite charity in her name.”

“There are no words to describe how much Amy Cole will be missed.” “F**k cancer,” said Jake Plunkett, the director.

“Amy really wanted to help kids who had cancer.” “So, I ask you to help spread the light she brought to the world by giving to the link,” he said.

In the middle of all the chaos at work, Amy Cole was a bright spot of happiness and calm.

Opus MoreschiX
We don’t know what kind of cancer Amy had when she died.

On Monday, it was made public for the first time that she had died.

People thought she and Stephen were good friends.

In her career, Amy has been a talent booker, a coordinator, an executive assistant, and a production assistant.

Amy Cole has also worked on shows like “The Nature of the Beast,” “A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!,” and “Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out.”

They were married. Her name was Dinello.