Stephen Colberthas locked down his first role sincedepartingThe Colbert Report last December: A guest-starring gig on The Mindy Project. With some time to kill before Colbert takes over for David Letterman on The Late Showthis September, the former Comedy Central host will step into the role of Father Michael O Donnell on comedian Mindy Kalings Fox sitcom.
Producers wouldnt elaborate on when Colberts guest appearance would air or how long his characters arc would last, although Variety speculates that, given his upcoming Late Show duties, Colberts Mindy Project stint is likely a short one. Kaling also posted a photo of Colbert in costume with a priests robe and collar and a full salt-and-pepper beard. Colbert began cultivating the scruffy facial hair after The Colbert Report ended, because as he told E! News, I was curious what I actually looked like and it turns out its this.
Coming soon to #themindyproject: Father Michael ODonnell. @StephenAtHome pic.twitter.com/njzxjmN99G
Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) February 20, 2015
While Colbert has revealed that his satirical persona will not be joining him when he segues into Lettermans role, theres no word yet whether the silver beard will still be intact when Colbert steps onstage at The Late Shows Ed Sullivan Theatre on September 8th. However, Colbert wouldnt be the first host to beard-out after switching late night jobs: Conan OBrien famously donned a ginger beard during Conans opening TBS run before a frustrated Will Ferrell declared a Beardpocalypse mid-interview.
Its been a period of upheaval in the 11 p.m. hour for Comedy Central as, just two months after Colbert exited, Jon Stewart revealedthat he too would be leaving The Daily Show at some point in 2015.