Fresh off an Emmy win earlier this month, late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert is now being awarded for his social justice efforts.

The nonprofit Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights on Sept. 24 named the 61-year-old comedian as one of the organization's 2025 Ripple of Hope Award laureates. In its announcement, the center lauded "The Late Show" host as "one of the most influential satirists of his generation," employing his signature wit "to challenge injustice."

"Humor can be a catalyst for change. Stephen Colbert stands as a shining example of how speaking truth to power, boldly, wisely, and with heart, can ignite change and send ripples of hope far beyond the stage," RFK Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy said in the announcement.

Colbert's latest accomplishment comes on the heels of CBS canceling his show, which recently celebrated 10 years since he took the reins from David Letterman in September 2015. "The Late Show" will go off-air in May.

"I wish my mother was alive to see me receive this honor. Robert F Kennedy’s mission of public service and love for all humanity was a cradle creed that she gave to her 11 children," Colbert said in a statement.

"The Colbert Report" alumnus joins a long list of major names who were also honored for their "unwavering commitment to social change, equity, justice, and human rights." Past awardees include George Clooney, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as former U.S. presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

A gala honoring Colbert and fellow laureates Magic Johnson, Martin Cabrera, Jr. of Cabrera Capital, RFK Human Rights Italia's Stefano Lucchini and Ford Foundation President Darren Walker is planned for Dec. 9 in New York City.

Colbert's humanitarian honor comes after his major win at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 4. He beat out other contenders in the category, including Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, to take home the best talk series trophy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen Colbert joins former presidents in receiving major honor after CBS cancellation

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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