Helen Mirren once kissed Stephen Colbert on live TV and her reason made perfect sense: "If I didn't..."

Damn! Helen Mirren knows how to make a first impression as she stunned Stephen Colbert with a wild entry on his show
PUBLISHED MAR 9, 2025
A screenshot of Stephen Colbert and Helen Mirren from an episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' (Cover Image Source: YouTube | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)
A screenshot of Stephen Colbert and Helen Mirren from an episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' (Cover Image Source: YouTube | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren isn't afraid of a little PDA! In March 2016, Mirren made a dramatic entrance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', leaving the host Stephen Colbert completely stunned. As she walked onstage, Mirren boldly grabbed Colbert by the neck and kissed him on the lips before casually walking away. Colbert, caught off guard, froze in the moment. Reflecting on the surprise kiss, Mirren later quipped to Harper’s Bazaar, "If I didn't do it, then I'd never get to do it. I have been dreaming of doing that for about fifteen years. I just grabbed my chance. I'm sorry."



 

According to The Standard, Colbert, who was still reeling from Mirren's spontaneous kiss, playfully remarked, "I suddenly can’t remember any questions. That is one of the nicest greetings any guest has ever given me." Mirren dropped a flirty remark to Colbert and said, "Your lips are very soft." Colbert clearly flustered, responded, "Wow. You know what you're doing. You really know what you are doing. Thank you so much for being here."



 

However, later in the episode, Colbert complimented Mirren over the kiss asking, "Can you imagine the number of people who are jealous of me right now?” After a light chuckle, Mirren jokingly said, “Including me when I watch it. I'll be going, "Oooh!" Why didn’t I do more?” to which Colbert replied, "Well, I'll tell you what, the night is young, Dame Helen. You are absolutely a fantastic actress, a captivating woman and on a level I never imagined before."



 

Throughout the episode, Colbert and Mirren continue to flirt with each other. After a moment, Colbert turned to Mirren and said, "And you are a Dame." Mirren simply confirmed, "I am." Colbert then added, "I have interviewed some Sirs, they never kissed me." Amused, Mirren curiously asked, "Not even Ian McKellen?" to which Colbert replied, "Not even Ian McKellen. That would have been lovely."



 

Once the episode was released on YouTube, many viewers flocked to the comments section of the video and raved over Colbert and Mirren's kiss on live TV. One fan quipped, "That is by far the smoothest kiss I have ever seen, anywhere." Another user penned, "The way she shrugged after planting the most smooth kiss on him.... there is no doubt she is the coolest!" Followed by a third user who penned, "She broke Stephen with one kiss. That is power. And I have to say, I'm more than a little jealous of Stephen." Another netizen stated, "Dame Mirren didn't just leave Stephen speechless. She found his pause button!" A fifth fan exclaimed, "That's the most elegant way to kiss a person I have ever seen." 



 

During an interview with Woman's Day, the 'Prime Suspect' star candidly spoke about her bold move of kissing Colbert on the CBS talk show. Along with this, Mirren stated that she had been an admirer of Colbert for some time. As per Daily Mail, Mirren said, "I've been deeply in love with Stephen Colbert for a long time... for real! So as I was walking out, I looked at him and I thought, 'You know what, if I don't take my opportunity now, I'll never have it again!"' 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 welcomes Jessica Jones back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and she's now a mother
31 minutes ago
'The Rookie' Season 8 Episode 16, titled 'Out of Time,' sets the tone for the season's remaining two episodes, promising a humdinger finale.
9 hours ago
The streamer dropped the trailer for the new season of 'Silo,' which hints at picking up from the events of Season 2.
9 hours ago
The abandoned storyline will continue in the upcoming episodes of 'NCIS' Season 23, and fans will get to see more of McGee's past.
12 hours ago
One of Hollywood's most recognizable stars will arrive in '9-1-1: Nashville' to hunt down a mysterious criminal tormenting the city.
12 hours ago
The popular sitcom show ran for twelve seasons and won a total of ten Emmy awards.
14 hours ago
'Sullivan's Crossing' Season 4 episode 1, tiled 'Curveballs' featured the aftermath of a return from Maggie's past that shakes her to the core.
14 hours ago
From sci-fi thrillers to critical darlings, Netflix axed 8 shows, proving that even global popularity can't guarantee a place on its streaming lineup.
19 hours ago
At the end of Season 2, Wednesday took off in her Uncle Fester’s motorcycle sidecar in search of her roommate Enid
20 hours ago
The sophomore season of 'Landman' saw Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) passing on the mantle to his son Cooper Norris.
20 hours ago