The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Mark Hamill’s Colbert Questionert
Date: May 4, 2026
Guest: Mark Hamill
Overview
In this lively and insightful episode, Stephen Colbert welcomes beloved actor Mark Hamill for the signature “Colbert Questionert”—a playful yet revealing set of rapid-fire questions designed to uncover the essence of a guest’s personality. With humor and candor, Hamill reflects on life, career, favorite things, and profound moments, peppered with charming anecdotes and genuine wit. The tone is upbeat, whimsical, and endearingly self-deprecating.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction to the Colbert Questionert
[00:57 - 01:51]
- Colbert sets the stage: “So we here at The Late Show have come up with something that future historians will call the Colbert Questionnaire...questions that penetrate straight to the soul of someone, reveal them fully to the world and to the audience. Are you prepared? Have you the courage to be known?”
- Hamill responds with classic humor: “Am I allowed to lie?”
- Colbert: “Yes.”
- Hamill: “Well, then I have complete confidence. But I'll try and tell the truth.”
(01:44 - 01:50)
Favorite Foods and Earliest Influences
- Best Sandwich?
Hamill: “Albacore white tuna on toasted rye. Little lemon juice and sweet relish.” (02:00 - 02:09)
- First Concert?
Hamill: “The Rolling Stones. I was 17.” (02:16 - 02:23)
- Scariest Animal?
Hamill: “A shark.” (02:28 - 02:35)
- Apples or Oranges?
Hamill: “Oranges because you get the fruit and you get a drink. It's juicy and delicious.” (02:41 - 02:48)
Childhood Autograph Story
[02:55 - 04:23]
- Hamill recounts nervously asking Groucho Marx for an autograph as a child, prompted by his father’s friend.
- Groucho’s wit:
“Oh, you don't have my autograph. Well, that's one strike against you. What's your name? Oh, no name and no autograph, that's two strikes against you. One more strike and you're out of the ball game...Camel, eh? I don't see a hump. Well, don't worry, you'll have one by the time you're my age.” (03:21 - 03:43)
- Colbert: “That's the greatest Groucho story I've ever heard.” (04:01 - 04:03)
On Life (and Death)
[04:46 - 05:21]
- What happens when we die?
Hamill: “I'd like to think we’re all floating up in the clouds playing harps, but I'm worried we’re just worm food...Either way, I think we'll work out. All right.” (04:49 - 05:01)
- Colbert: “It'll be fine for us, or it'll be fine for the worms.” Hamill: “Why shouldn't they have a treat?...we must be—to worms.” (05:09 - 05:19)
Movie Talk
- Favorite Action Movie?
Hamill: “I love The Dirty Dozen...Stalag 17...Aliens—the second one. Once I got over the disappointment, they didn’t maintain the premise, it’s a pretty darn good action movie.” (05:24 - 06:00)
- Colbert reveals he hasn’t seen Aliens.
Hamill: “Oh, I won’t spoil it.” (06:04 - 06:10)
Personal Preferences
- Window or Aisle?
Hamill: “Window. I like to look outside...I like to get on the plane at the end, because if you get on first, everybody walks by you and you spend the rest of the afternoon writing ‘May the Voice be with you’ on menus.” (06:23 - 06:42)
- Favorite & Least Favorite Smell?
Hamill: “Coffee. Popcorn...My wife's neck.” (06:44 - 06:50)
Colbert jokes: “Rub a little popcorn on there.” Hamill: “A little butter.”
Least favorite: “The subway. I don’t know—on a hot summer day.” (07:01 - 07:05)
Origins as a Performer
- Earliest Memory?
Hamill recalls seeing Clarence Nash do Donald Duck’s voice on TV.
“It just blew my mind...people go to work and they're the voices of cartoons. It didn’t make me a very good studier in high school, I was working on my Yogi Bear.” (07:08 - 07:44)
(Impression: “Hey, Boo Boo. Hey, Boo Boo.”)
Animal Loyalties
- Cats or Dogs?
Hamill: “I love all animals, but I love dogs the most. I’m fascinated by cats, but they just tolerate us...They allow us to serve them. But again, I love all animals...I need cute animal clips in my life to distract myself from reality.” (08:03 - 08:44)
Music that Matters
- One Song for the Rest of Your Life?
Hamill: “I’m a huge Ray Davies fan. He wrote ‘Waterloo Sunset’...Ray told me the biggest compliment he ever had was seeing a quote when Paul McCartney said, ‘I should have written that song.’ No higher praise than that.” (09:05 - 09:24)
- Runner up: “Celluloid Heroes” by The Kinks (09:39 - 10:04)
- Colbert adds: “Village Green Preservation Society. Hard to beat that.” (10:04 - 10:07)
Playful Finale
- What number am I thinking of?
Hamill: “Nine.” Colbert: “No.” Hamill: “Oh, shoot.” (10:25 - 10:28)
- Describe the rest of your life in five words?
Hamill: “Staying in pajamas all day.” (10:34 - 10:40)
- Colbert: “Good plan. Congratulations, Mark. You are known.” (10:40)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On truth in interviews:
Hamill: “Am I allowed to lie?...Well, then I have complete confidence.” (01:44 - 01:49)
- Groucho Marx encounter:
Groucho: “Camel, eh? I don't see a hump. Well, don't worry, you'll have one by the time you're my age.” (03:37 - 03:43)
- On death:
“Either way, I think we’ll work out. All right.” (05:01)
- On lifelong dreams:
“People go to work and they’re the voices of cartoons. It didn’t make me a very good studier in high school, I was working on my Yogi Bear.” (07:43 - 07:44)
- On animals and media:
“I need cute animal clips in my life to distract myself from reality.” (08:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction to the Colbert Questionert: [00:57 - 01:51]
- Groucho Marx autograph story: [02:55 - 04:23]
- Views on death: [04:46 - 05:21]
- Favorite movies: [05:24 - 06:10]
- Musical favorites and Ray Davies story: [09:05 - 10:04]
- Five-word life summary: [10:34 - 10:40]
Final Note
This episode is a delightful mix of wit, nostalgia, and philosophical musing, delivered in the charming banter between Colbert and Hamill. Listeners get a genuine peek into Mark Hamill’s humor, talents, and humanity—even his affinity for pajamas and otter videos. Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Broadway, or simply clever conversation, this installment is not to be missed.
