For fans of the famous CBS late-night talk show: The Late Late Show, the name Craig Ferguson is not a strange one. Craig Ferguson will always remain a rare gem with a unique style that captivated people and got them glued to their screens.
Anyone who has ever seen Craig’s stand-up or seen his Late-Night Show will always agree that he was one of the best or even the best at the time. With his skill and charisma, it becomes quite obvious why he was loved and admired so dearly by millions around the world.
Born on 17 May 1962, Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American television host, comedian, writer, and actor. Ferguson is widely known for hosting the CBS late-night talk show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson for nearly ten years (from 2005–2014).
For hosting this show, Ferguson won a Peabody Award in 2009. The award was for interviewing the renowned clergy and activist in person of the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu that year.
Also, Craig Ferguson hosted the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game (from 2014–2017), which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards for, and Join or Die with Craig Ferguson (2016) on History.
Ferguson started his career in the United Kingdom with music, comedy, and theatre, but later moved to the US, where he appeared in the role of Nigel Wick on the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show (from 1996–2004).
Aside from his career as a TV host and stand-up comedian, Ferguson has also written three books: Between the Bridge and the River, a novel; American on Purpose, a memoir; and Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations & Observations.
Craig Ferguson holds both British and American citizenship respectively. However, On April 28, 2014, Craig Ferguson made a shocking announcement he would leave The Late Late Show at the end of the year—the final episode was to air on 19 December.
It was said that his contract was set to expire in June 2014, but a six-month extension was given in order to provide a better, more graceful, and less shocking exit and also buy CBS more time to find a perfect replacement.
However, people have been concerned and asked what happened. The truth is that Ferguson got exhausted and overwhelmed by the workload. He even made a detailed mention of this in his memoir, “Riding the Elephant.” However, he is still very active in the entertainment business.
Table of Contents
Who Really is Craig Ferguson?
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American actor, comedian, author, television host, and voice artist. Ferguson began his career as a drummer in a rock band but later transitioned to comedy, where he found his true passion.
He became widely known and acclaimed as the host of the highly acclaimed late-night talk show, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” broadcast between 2005 and 2014.
Throughout his career, Ferguson has made notable contributions to various forms of entertainment. He has worked in stand-up comedy, television, film, and music.
In his comedy, Ferguson skillfully combines various comedic techniques like observational humour, improvisation, surrealism, risqué humour, dry wit, satire, and self-deprecating humour.
He frequently explores Scottish culture, American politics, everyday experiences, popular culture, and current affairs.
In the early years of his career, Ferguson established himself as one of the leading comedians in Great Britain. He achieved significant success at the Edinburgh Festival in August 1994.
Following his success in the UK, Ferguson moved significantly to Los Angeles in January 1995. Since then, he has worked extensively as an actor, writer, director, producer, and creator in the entertainment industry.
Some of his notable television appearances include “The Drew Carey Show,” “Hercules,” and his late-night talk show, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” which he hosted from 2005 to 2014.
In addition to his television career, Ferguson has also ventured into film. He has written, starred in, and directed three films. Moreover, he has authored two books showcasing his versatile talent.
On a personal note, Craig Ferguson has been married three times. His spouses include Anne Hogarth (m. 1983; div. 1986), Sascha Corwin (m. 1998; div. 2004), and Megan Wallace-Cunningham (m. 2008).
He has two children named Milo Hamish Ferguson and Liam James Ferguson. In addition, Ferguson has also talked about his experiences with addiction in his memoir titled “American on Purpose.”
The book delves into his struggles with drinking, drugs, and hard living, including a low point when he wakes up in a tavern storage room, feeling like a drunk, loser, and a disaster as a human being.
Here are some of the most notable works and recognition of Craig:
| Type | Title | Nominations | Awards |
| Show | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Primetime Emmy: 1 nomination | Peabody Award (2010)[3] |
| Show | Celebrity Name Game | Daytime Emmy: 3 nominations | Daytime Emmy: 3 awards (Outstanding Game Show Host)[2] |
| Film | Saving Grace | British Independent Film Award: 1 nomination (Best Screenplay)[8] | |
| Book | Between the Bridge and the River | ||
| Book | American on Purpose | ||
| Audiobook | Just Being Honest | Grammy Award: 1 nomination (Best Comedy Album)[2] |
What Happened to Craig Ferguson?
Craig Ferguson announced his departure from “The Late Late Show” on April 28, 2014. He decided to step down from the show. He announced to his studio audience during the taping that he would leave in December 2014 when his contract expired.
After leaving “The Late Late Show,” Craig Ferguson did not completely disappear from the comic scene. He continued to pursue his stand-up comedy career and remained active in the entertainment industry.
However, he did not immediately return to hosting another late-night talk show or have a regular presence on television after his departure. In 2015, Craig Ferguson hosted a game show called “Celebrity Name Game,” which aired for three seasons.
Next, in 2016, he began hosting a historical talk show on History called “Join or Die with Craig Ferguson,” where he engaged in humorous discussions with a panel of comedians and historians on different topics.
In January 2021, Ferguson took on the role of host for the American game show “The Hustler” on ABC. The show featured five contestants collaborating to answer trivia questions while one secretly played the “Hustler” role and received all the answers in advance.
This show lasted for two seasons and ended in 2022. In addition to television, Ferguson ventured into radio hosting with “The Craig Ferguson Show,” which premiered on 27 February 2017.
The two-hour talk radio show aired on the Comedy Greats channel and Faction Talk on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. However, the show concluded with its last new episode airing on 11 May 2018.
In 2023, there were reports that Craig Ferguson was working on a new late-night talk show called “Channel Surf with Craig Ferguson.”
To conclude, Craig has been active as an entertainer and host and will probably make a comeback with his late-night show again.
Is Craig Ferguson Coming Back?
Sony Pictures Television aims to launch a new half-hour syndicated late-night talk show called “Channel Surf with Craig Ferguson” in the fall.
Ferguson will entertain viewers in the upcoming show by providing unique insights and commentary on the most astonishing, unexpected, and loud moments from the week’s shows.
He will be accompanied by his friends and special guest stars, adding to the excitement and entertainment of the program.
A pilot for the series was shot in the U.K. earlier this year, and Sony Pictures Television is currently taking the show to potential buyers in Los Angeles. The show is still being shopped around, and no network or premiere date has been announced yet.
In conclusion, there has yet to be an official confirmation regarding the show, but whether it will be aired depends on whether it gets sufficient support from the producers and financiers.
Why Was the Late Night Show Cancelled?
The Late Night Show of Craig Ferguson, known as “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” ended for various reasons. Here are some factors that possibly contributed to the cancellation:
- Creative Decisions
The cancellation of Craig Ferguson’s late-night show was not directly related to his performance or dissatisfaction with the network.
According to Ferguson, he felt like he was done with the show and decided to leave before David Letterman’s retirement announcement. It is a personal choice based on his feeling of completion rather than any external factors. - Changes in Late-Night Landscape
Late-night talk shows have gone through shifts in viewership and format over the years. The departure of iconic hosts like David Letterman and Jay Leno impacted the late-night landscape, and these changes could have influenced the decision-making process. - Craig Ferguson’s New Projects
After leaving “The Late Late Show,” Craig Ferguson pursued other endeavours, including stand-up comedy touring and hosting different shows. This could indicate that he wanted to explore different creative avenues rather than continuing with the late-night format.
Who Replaced Craig Ferguson?
James Corden replaced Craig Ferguson as the host of “The Late Late Show.” James Corden took over the show after Craig Ferguson announced his departure in April 2014.
CBS chose James Corden to replace Ferguson, recognizing his talent and potential for the late-night talk show. James Corden is a British actor and comedian who gained recognition for his Tony Award-winning role in “One Man, Two Guvnors” and his upcoming film “Into the Woods.”
Since assuming the role as host, Corden has brought his unique style and charm to “The Late Late Show,” engaging viewers with popular segments like “Carpool Karaoke” and his energetic hosting personal.
What is Craig Ferguson Currently Doing?
As discussed above, Craig has been hosting various TV Shows actively and can be expected to appear in his late-night broadcast soon. In addition, he’s penned various books, the latest of which were released in 2019.
He also did a show with Amazon Prime called “Craig Ferguson Presents: Hobo Fabulous” in 2020. Besides that, he has been touring consistently and has appeared in many podcasts and interviews.
Fans still remember him for his witty monologues, memorable interviews, openness about his addictions, and comedy sketches. He developed a cult following after he retired from “The Late Night Show,” he was considered underrated when he was on the air.
There have been viral videos of him flirting with celebrities in his show. He’s also a much-discussed pop culture figure whose old videos are still relevant and are viewed regularly by many worldwide.
Craig Ferguson’s Net Worth
Craig Ferguson’s net worth is estimated to be $30 million. He has earned a significant income throughout his career, including a reported salary of $8 million during his tenure on “The Late Late Show.”
Besides that, he’s had various IPs, including his books and content to his name, for which he must earn royalties. In addition, Craig is still popular and has a cult following, based on which he sells tickets to his shows.
Some assets must be kept from being recorded or documented publicly from which Craig must be earning. However, these statements are just speculations, and one needs to go through financial documents and records to find someone’s net worth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American actor, comedian, author, television host, and voice artist who gained recognition as the host of “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” from 2005 to 2014.
He has made notable contributions to various forms of entertainment, including stand-up comedy, television, film, and music. Ferguson has ventured into hosting other shows such as “Celebrity Name Game” and “Join or Die with Craig Ferguson.”
For those worried about him, you can be assured that Craig is still doing well in his career and has been active in the scene since he retired from the late-night show. He’s expected to make a comeback soon with the late-night show.
Currently, Craig Ferguson remains active in the entertainment industry, touring as a stand-up comedian, writing books, and making appearances on various platforms. His net worth is estimated to be $30 million.
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