WASHINGTON — Stephen Colbert’s image is returning to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

To mark the end of Colbert’s nine-year persona on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” the museum borrowed Colbert’s portrait. The picture was created for the show’s final season.

In 2008, Colbert contacted the museum and wanted to donate his portrait to the collection. He began campaigning for the honor on his show. The museum agreed to go along with the joke and temporarily installed the painting between two bathrooms.

Now the new iteration of Colbert’s portrait will be installed Friday at the museum. It will be displayed through April 19, once again between the bathrooms and above a water fountain.

Colbert is moving to CBS as the new host of the “Late Show” after David Letterman exits in May.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.