7 Times Stephen Colbert Was Actually Stephen Colbert

Stephen went viral in 2006, when he delivered a scathing performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Without ever breaking from character with even a smile, he openly mocked President George W. Bush: "I stand by this man, because he stands for things. Not only for things. He stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a powerful message: that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound — with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world." The awkward yet powerful performance was divisive but also made him more of a household name.