Years Of Experience Paved Way For Colbert's Late Show Gig 'I Hope They Like Me'

DENVER (CBS4)- After more than a year of anticipation, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is finally on the air. And while Colbert has been on TV for years, some of you are just now getting to know him. CBS4's CBS4's Karen Leigh got the chance to sit down with the new host to talk about his past and his plans for the future.

Colbert grew up in South Carolina. He's the youngest of 11 children. He says having all those siblings assured he always had an audience.

"I always had 10 brothers and sisters who my mom made listen to my stories," Colbert said.

After graduating from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., Colbert joined Chicago's famed Second City Improv Troupe. From there his writing, producing, comedy and acting careers took off. Colbert wrote for Saturday Night Live and made acting appearances in The Mindy Project, House of Cards, The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

He's also written several books, each of which spent long stretches on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Colbert was the longest-tenured correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Then he hosted The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014. On that show Colbert played a character, but he'll be himself on The Late Show.

"What about you?" Leigh asked, "People getting to know you in a different light?"

"I don't know. I hope they like me," Colbert laughed in response.

"How would your friends describe you?" Leigh asked.

"Oh gosh, I don't know. A nerd?" Colbert said. "In high school I played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons and I read a lot of Tolkien, a ton of science fiction. When you say friends I think of my old high school friends. That's what they would say. Super nerd."

Colbert now lives in New Jersey with his wife and three children.

Laura Phillips produces CBS4 News at 10 and various special projects. She has been producing news in Denver since 2006. Follow her on Twitter @LA_Phillips.