Stephen Colbert’s “wonky ear” was caused by surgery on his right ear when he was 10 to repair a severely perforated eardrum. It ended up causing inner ear damage and left him deaf in his right ear.

Why is Stephen Colbert's ear deformed?

Stephen Colbert’s “wonky ear” was caused by surgery on his right ear when he was 10 to repair a severely perforated eardrum. It ended up causing inner ear damage and left him deaf in his right ear.

Why is the T silent in Colbert?

Colbert’s surname is actually pronounced with a hard T, but his father, who favored the French pronunciation, gave Stephen the option to change the pronunciation when he was young.