Comedian Jon Stewart, the host of The Daily Show, is going to step down later this year, confirms Comedy Central’s President Michele Ganeless. She informed that Stewart will remain to host the show until later in 2015. However, there was no immediate explanation for the comedian’s departure. It is also not clear whether he is leaving to pursue another endeavor.
The New York-based The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11 p.m., and Stewart began hosting the show in 1999, when he replaced Craig Kilborn as host. While the show is expected to continue, the Viacom Inc-owned cable network is yet to announce a replacement for Stewart.
Stewart garnered popularity with his standout political critique. He addressed the exit on Tuesday’s edition of the show. In a statement released by Comedy Central, the network noted to have incredible privilege of working with Jon Stewart for nearly two decades. The Daily Show has become “cultural touchstone” through his unique vision and voice. He is a comic genius and at the heart of Comedy Central.
Stewart has also won Oscar twice and has ventured into the movie industry with his directorial debut last year. His film Rosewater was about an Iranian journalist who was accused of spying and hence imprisoned.
One of the popular online poll once showed that Stewart has been looked upon as the best source for trustworthy news, according to 44% of respondents. The results underscore the popularity of late-night comedians seizing some of the primetime anchors.
Over the decades, Stewart has garnered much influential in the U.S. culture and politics. He started his show business career in New York and got an opportunity to host The Jon Stewart Show on MTV in 1993.
The Daily Show has been a career launching pad for many comedians including Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and John Oliver. Colbert quit Comedy Central in December to join as host of the Late Show on CBS.