In a move that could be straight out of a Hollywood script, Madeleine Carlisle, Stephen Colbert's daughter, has made headlines as she exits CBS' iconic show, 60 Minutes. The departure comes amid sweeping changes at CBS following the appointment of new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. With a career already laden with accolades, Carlisle steps into a fresh chapter, joining The Atlantic as a staff writer.
Carlisle's decision to leave CBS reflects a trend among the show's staff, many of whom have left or been let go since Weiss took charge in October. As the network undergoes restructuring, her leap to The Atlantic – where she once served as an editorial fellow – marks a return to her journalistic roots in print media.
"I remember your gorgeous little girl. She was such a little peanut. She was really smart, she was very verbal, and she was precocious and adorable," reminisced actress Jennifer Garner, who babysat Carlisle during her childhood.
Madeleine's journey is as compelling as a California sunset. Born on September 24, 1995, she is the eldest of Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee Colbert's three children. The family hails from Montclair, New Jersey, though Madeleine has carved out her own identity in the world of journalism, choosing to use the surname "Carlisle" professionally.
Her early years were marked by a unique experience – being babysat by none other than actress Jennifer Garner. Garner's fond memories of young Madeleine hint at the charisma and intelligence that would later define her career.
Carlisle's academic prowess took her to Yale University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts. She began her career as an intern at 60 Minutes, a move that set the stage for her subsequent roles at Time magazine. Her award-winning article at Time garnered her the Outstanding Print Article honor at the GLAAD Awards, demonstrating her ability to tackle challenging subjects with sensitivity and depth.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where her father famously entertained audiences, concluded its 33-year run in May. This followed a tumultuous period for CBS, punctuated by Colbert's criticism of CBS’s parent company, Paramount, over a controversial settlement with Donald Trump.
Madeleine's own career, though seemingly separate from her father's late-night legacy, carries the same eloquent wit and commitment to truth. As she embarks on her next chapter at The Atlantic, the journalistic world waits to see where her curiosity and talent will take her next.