Stars gathered together as Stephen Colbert makes his final bow at the finale of his long-running show, Colbert Report, bidding adieu to the studio that he and his show called home since 2005.

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A number of celebrities crowded onto the stage for the sendoff amidst the tune of "We'll Meet Again."

Fifty-year-old Colbert decided to retire his Comedy Central show without inviting any guests, until the last moments, when he rendered a song and was joined on stage Jon Stewart.

It was on Stewart's show, where his alter-ego, the pompous, conservative, "well-intentioned, poorly informed high-status idiot" and as the "self-important right-wing commentator."

The two were later joined by some of the most popular celebrities, including Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Bryan Cranston, Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, and George Lucas. Even Sesame Street's Big Bird came up on stage!

Also coming to bid adieu to Colbert were James Franco, Gloria Steinem, Sam Waterston, Jeff Daniels, Charlie Rose, Barry Manilow, Alan Alda, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Colbert will move to CBS to host its flagship, The Late Show, next year, after iconic TV host David Letterman steps down in May.

Colbert's efforts to showcase what is known as the "Opposite Day," the comedian earned a strong fan base, who he called "heroes."

The show has also earned the raves of critics winning two Peabody Awards and has been hailed for being a show that "started as a parody of punditry [and] is now its own political platform."

But Colbert's satirist alter ego even predates his nightly program. Colbert the anchorman was created in 1997 as a "senior correspondent" for Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. There, he spoke with gusto on serious topics, such as national security. He is best remembered for telling Stewart what is the difference between "High Alert" and "Higher Alert" after the 9/11 attack.

TagsStephen Colbert, colbert report, colbert report finale