Many of Jon Stewart's former "Daily Show" correspondents stopped by Thursday's finale to bid him farewell after 16 incredible years on the show.

But hands down, the best goodbye of all came from his dear pal, Stephen Colbert.

"All of us who were lucky enough to work with you for 16 years are better at our jobs because we got to watch you do yours. And we are better people for having known you. You are a great artist and a good man. I know you are not asking for this, but on behalf of so many people whose lives you changed over the past 16 years, thank you," Stephen Colbert said during Jon Stewart's last night on "The Daily Show."

Yes, despite Jon's protests, Stephen couldn't help but get a little sentimental with an off-script thank you followed by a giant "Daily Show" correspondents group hug.

The impromptu speech was so heartfelt, Jon couldn't help but tear up. Stop, you're crying!

Deadspin even called Stephen's tribute "an epic tour de force of verbal prose."

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com