Evelyn McGee-Colbert is an American actress best known as the wife of comedian, television host, actor, writer, and producer Stephen Colbert. The couple has shared a long and successful marriage spanning more than two decades and are the parents of three children. Although she is widely recognized through her husband’s fame, Evelyn has also established her own identity in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in the comedy television series Strangers with Candy and had a role in the fantasy film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, demonstrating her own acting abilities beyond being known as a celebrity spouse. Born into a prominent family, Evelyn is the daughter of a respected civil litigator from Charleston, South Carolina. She received a strong education and has earned a reputation for being intelligent, gracious, and supportive. As a devoted wife and mother, Evelyn has been a constant source of encouragement throughout Stephen Colbert’s demanding career. She understands the pressures of working in the entertainment industry and is often seen accompanying him to award ceremonies, premieres, and other public events, where the couple regularly appears together.
Childhood & Early Life
Evelyn McGee-Colbert was born Evelyn Brabham McGee on July 23, 1963, in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. She is the daughter of Joseph McGee, a prominent civil litigator who served as legal counsel for the South Carolina House of Representatives. He is also associated with the law firm Buist Moore Smythe McGee. Growing up in Charleston, Evelyn was raised in a well-established and educated family, providing the foundation for her later personal and professional life.
Career of Evelyn McGee-Colbert
Although acting has not been her primary profession, Evelyn McGee-Colbert has appeared in several notable television and film productions.
She made her acting debut in 1999 with the comedy television series Strangers with Candy, portraying Nurse Chestnut, while her husband, Stephen Colbert, played the character Chuck Noblet. She later reprised the same role in the 2005 film adaptation of the series.
In 2012, Evelyn and Stephen Colbert appeared together in an episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter, offering viewers a glimpse into their personal lives and long-lasting marriage.
The following year, she appeared in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), adding a major Hollywood production to her acting résumé. In the same year, she also took on a role in the political comedy television series Alpha House.
Relationship with Stephen Colbert
Although Evelyn McGee and Stephen Colbert both grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, and their families were acquainted, they did not meet until 1990. Their first meeting took place during the Spoleto Festival USA, where they immediately formed a strong connection.
Stephen Colbert has often shared the story of how they met. At the time, he was ending another relationship because he was uncertain about marriage. While attending a musical performance, he noticed Evelyn waiting in line for refreshments and instantly felt that she was the woman he was destined to marry. Recalling the moment, he later said he immediately thought, “That’s your wife.”
When Stephen introduced himself, the two discovered they had an instant rapport and spent nearly two hours talking. Their conversation confirmed the powerful connection they felt, and they soon began dating.
The couple married on October 9, 1993, and have remained together ever since, building one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages. They are the proud parents of three children—John, Peter, and Madeline—and are frequently admired for their enduring relationship and mutual support.