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Late Night Legends Unite: The Beard Squad Debuts at Emmys
15 Sep
Summary
- Four late-night hosts sported matching facial hair at the 2026 Emmys.
- Stephen Colbert's show won Outstanding Variety Series at the ceremony.
- Jimmy Fallon was notably absent from the 'beard squad' gathering.

Four prominent late-night television hosts—Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver—made a striking appearance together at the 2026 Emmy Awards, playfully dubbing themselves the 'first annual meeting of the Emmys beard squad.' Each comedian was seen sporting some form of salt-and-pepper facial hair, ranging from Kimmel's long-standing beard to Colbert's new goatee.
This gathering occurred during a significant moment for Colbert, as his show, The Late Show, concluded its 11-season run and won the award for Outstanding Variety Series. The show had already secured five awards at the Creative Arts Emmys. Notably absent from the facial-hair fraternity was Jimmy Fallon, who was clean-shaven despite his association with the other hosts through the Strike Force Five podcast.
The shared facial hair created a visually cohesive moment, highlighting the camaraderie and interconnectedness within the late-night comedy circuit. While David Letterman is known for his post-show beard, Colbert and his colleagues have now formed their own distinct 'brotherhood' at the Emmys.