Comedian Stephen Colbert is coming home.
The Northwestern University graduate and host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is returning to his comedy alma mater, Second City, as one of the the company’s newly appointed members to its board of directors.
The announcement was made Thursday morning.
Colbert will also chair Second City’s Artistic Advisory Board to advocate for artists.
“As a young comedian, The Second City was my artistic home where I learned my chops and had the freedom to fail with my friends. I want to help keep it that way,” said Colbert, in a statement.
“We could not do better than to have an icon like Stephen helping us in our mission to grow The Second City in a way that honors the art and the brand, as well as provides a platform for a broader pool of talent,” said Second City CEO Parisa Jalili. “The Second City name has become synonymous with comedic excellence, and we owe that to the talent, staff, alumni and audiences that form our community.”
Other newly appointed board members announced Thursday include:
- Chris Henchy, writer/producer/director and co-founder (along with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay) of Funny Or Die, the comedy video website and production company
- Larry Irving, Operating Partner and Chief ESG Advisor at ZMC, private equity firm
- Brad Jenkins, CEO of Enfranchisement Productions, Senior Advisor of The Asian American Foundation, and Co-Founder of Phenomenal Productions
- Laura Kennedy, CEO of Avalon, the talent management and production group based in London, Los Angeles and New York
- Chris Licht, Showrunner and Executive Producer of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”
