In an emotional finale that no one saw coming, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘s last-ever holiday cartoon dropped a surprise narrator reveal that’s left fans reeling with tears and gratitude—a beloved actor whose warm, familiar voice turned the animated sendoff into something profoundly personal. The segment, airing during Monday’s holiday special, built to a swelling crescendo of snow falling and music rising, only for that iconic tone to slip in like a comforting hand on the shoulder. It wasn’t a cheeky cameo or punchline—it was pure heart, a tender goodbye that felt like the show speaking directly to every viewer who’s stayed up too late laughing through the years.
The tradition of Colbert’s animated Christmas cartoons—cheeky, whimsical shorts poking fun at the season’s chaos—has been a staple since the show’s early days. But with The Late Show canceled earlier this year amid ratings battles, this final installment carried extra weight. As the frame faded on falling snow and a glowing tree, the narration began: a voice instantly recognizable, rich with warmth and quiet wisdom.
It was Tom Hanks.
The legendary actor, known for roles that embody American everyman kindness—from Forrest Gump to Cast Away and voicing Woody in Toy Story—lent his unmistakable timbre to the closing lines. “In the end,” Hanks narrated softly, “it’s not the lights or gifts that matter—it’s the people we share them with. Merry Christmas… and thank you for watching.” The words landed like a gentle embrace, turning satire into sincerity.
The studio audience fell hushed for a beat before applause swelled. Colbert, visibly moved, paused on camera: “That’s Tom Hanks, folks. He wanted to help us say goodbye.” Fans caught it instantly online, with clips exploding to millions of views. #HanksNarratesColbert and #LateShowGoodbye trending worldwide, flooded with tears: “Tom Hanks’ voice at the end? I’m not okay,” one post read. “It felt like the show hugging us one last time.”
Why Hanks? Insiders say Colbert reached out personally, knowing the actor’s voice evokes comfort and nostalgia—the perfect capstone for a show that blended laughs with heart. Hanks, a friend of the show through multiple appearances, agreed without hesitation. “He said it was an honor to help send it off right,” a source revealed.
The cartoon itself was classic Colbert whimsy: elves on strike, Santa stressed by supply chains, reindeer unionizing. But Hanks’ narration elevated the ending, shifting from humor to poignant reflection on connection amid division. “It’s the people we share them with”—a subtle nod to the audience that’s sustained the show through turbulent years.
Reactions poured in from celebrities and fans alike. Jimmy Fallon tweeted: “Tom Hanks narrating Colbert’s final cartoon? Perfection. End of an era.” Viewers shared stories: “Stayed up with Colbert through elections, pandemics, everything. Hanks’ voice made it feel like closure.”
For Colbert, whose run ended abruptly but with grace, the choice was deliberate. “We wanted to go out with heart,” he said post-show. “Tom’s voice is America—kind, wise, enduring.”
As holiday specials wrap and late-night evolves, this final cartoon stands as a masterpiece sendoff. Snow falling. Music swelling. Hanks’ voice lingering.
The Late Show didn’t just end. It said goodbye the way it lived—with warmth, wit, and one last gift.
Thank you for watching.