Stephen Colbert revealed a silver beard at the 10th annual Oscar Wilde Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday.
The former "Colbert Report" host, known for his bare-faced look, told E! News and The Daily Beast that he grew the facial hair during his current time-off. He takes over the "Late Show" from David Letterman on Sept. 8.
"I have like nine months where nobody has to see me so I said, 'I wonder what I look like?'" he said to the The Daily Beast.
The comedian was an Oscar Wilde Award honoree, which recognizes contributions of the Irish in film and television. The scruff caught the attention of the media on the red carpet as well as the socialsphere:
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Stephen Colbert grows time-off beard, morphs into a silver fox. http://t.co/e9xFblyAEB pic.twitter.com/I15BRjBbhy
— Matthew Gilbert (@MatthewGilbert) February 20, 2015Glad Colbeard didn't look like this. http://t.co/e9xFblyAEB pic.twitter.com/UKiXvtdyGw
— Matthew Gilbert (@MatthewGilbert) February 20, 2015This photo is going to take all weekend to process. #Colbeard pic.twitter.com/5VTLb5NfcB
— Paul Pakler (@paulpakler) February 20, 2015More Colbeard pic.twitter.com/pLCP1f0wjz
— Ed Bott (@edbott) February 20, 2015We're BIG fans of the #Colbeard. Majestic. pic.twitter.com/dFL21KZVf2
— AskMen (@AskMen) February 20, 2015Earlier this week, Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, posted photos with the Colbeard on Twitter. Colbert stopped by America Magazine Wednesday in New York and visited Father Rosica and Father James Martin.
Mardi Gras in Big Apple with 2 agents of Gospel joy plotting out our Lenten practices @JamesMartinSJ @StephenAtHome pic.twitter.com/biiU1HzNyP
— Thomas Rosica (@FatherRosica) February 17, 2015With 2014 blessed ashes comes new gray beard in 2015 & new TV show @StephenAtHome @JamesMartinSJ Free ashes Wendesday pic.twitter.com/RsFzkaDh0Q
— Thomas Rosica (@FatherRosica) February 18, 2015Time will tell if the 50-year-old performer will bring the Colbeard look to the Ed Sullivan Theatre.