05/22/2026
As quoted from the realtor.com article linked below, the history of the Ed Sullivan Theater, built in 1927, is fascinating for those of us who consider ourselves architecture buffs:
The Emmy-winning host, who took over “The Late Show” in 2015 after David Letterman stepped down, shared that one of the biggest discoveries made during the theater’s renovation that year was a hidden dome and stained glass that had been covered up for decades.
“I couldn't believe it had been hidden all these years,” Colbert admitted, revealing that workers uncovered original stained glass windows hidden beneath white vinyl—as well as a stunning chandelier with its own stained glass design.
Colbert revealed that the stunning architectural detail had been covered over by the various pieces of equipment need to reduce the amount of "bounce" caused by the soaring ceilings, noting that—despite having been on Letterman's show multiple times, he'd never really known what the space actually looked like under all of the staging.
"I wanted to know what the dome was like ... and they said, 'Oh it's all gone, it was all torn out in the 1950s,'" he recalled. "And I said, 'Well I'd like to just go see.' And so they took down the sound sails and it was all still there. So we went to CBS and, god bless them, they gave us the money to restore it."
Eventually, the chandelier was restored to its original glory, complete with stained glass designs that depict several of the musicians and performers who graced the stage in its earliest years.
Broadway World notes that its landmarked status means it must remain as a performance space, whether it is used to stage plays, musical performances, or future TV shows.
As Colbert prepares to bid farewell to “The Late Show,” the late-night host is pulling back the curtain on the iconic New York City space.
