- Music
- 29 Jan 15
He takes over David Letterman's gig in September, but first he will be picking up a prestigious gong from the US-Ireland Alliance.
The Oscar Wilde Awards, which sees the US-Ireland Alliance honouring the creative Irish and introducing people from the entertainment industries in the US and Ireland to each other, takes place on February 19 and it has just been confirmed that one of America's favourite satirists has been selected for the accolade.
Stephen Colbert, who hails from Washington DC and comes from Limerick stock, rose to fame as a correspondent on Comedy Central's Daily Show before the right-wing comedy character he portrays was given his own show on the channel, the hugely-successful Colbert Report.
In September, he drops the act and takes over as host of The Late Show on CBS, replacing a retiring David Letterman.
On learning that he was to be honoured, Colbert joked: "My great-great grandfather sailed from Limerick with but two goals: 1) get a job digging the Erie Canal, and 2) party in L.A. I am proud to fulfill his dream."
The ceremony, set to take place at the Bad Robot production company of JJ Abrams (who MCs) in Santa Monica, will also honour Irish painter Colin Davidson and feature performances from Gavin James and Megan O'Neill.