From Rolling Stone · Emily Zemler · · 1m 20s
Jimmy Kimmel shaves Stephen Colbert's beard live on air
The former Late Show host lost his post-retirement beard after winning seven Emmys and making a promise to his wife.
In brief
The former Late Show host lost his post-retirement beard after winning seven Emmys and making a promise to his wife. Stephen Colbert shaved his retirement beard on Jimmy Kimmel Live after promising his wife he'd do it if he won an Emmy. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Colbert grew a retirement beard
Like David Letterman, Stephen Colbert marked the end of his Late Show run by growing a beard. He showed it off at the Emmys, where his show won seven awards.
His wife hated the beard
Evie Colbert warned her husband the kiss count would drop if he grew facial hair. She was right: smoochy time got much shorter because it's prickly.
“I was so excited to win because Evie hates my beard. So much. And the kiss count has gone way down.”
The Emmy win sealed the deal
Colbert told his wife she'd have to kiss him on camera if he won an Emmy. He also promised he'd shave the beard off if he took home the trophy.
“I also told her that if I won I would shave it off.”
Kimmel brought out the clippers
When Kimmel offered to shave Colbert on the show, the former host reluctantly agreed. They waited until near the end of the interview to start shearing.
“This is like what they do with the sheep in New Zealand.”
Working on Lord of the Rings
Colbert is collaborating on an upcoming Lord of the Rings film in New Zealand with his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens. His son understands screenwriting better than he does.
“I'm there just because I'm incredibly obsessive about the Lord of the Rings.”
The takeaway
Stephen Colbert shaved his retirement beard on Jimmy Kimmel Live after promising his wife he'd do it if he won an Emmy.
