Vanessa Bayer Remembers Her 'Make A Wish' Wish

Diagnosed with leukemia at 15 years old, 'How Do You Care For a Very Sick Bear?' author Vanessa Bayer was likely the first Make-A-Wish kid to contemplate a Jared Leto-related wish. #LSSC #Colbert #VanessaBayer
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via CBS All Access, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@bepowerification]

so she survived leukemia and now can cure depression with her smile. nice

[@Javier.M.]

yes, when you finish the treatment they give you a menu, so you can choose the super power that you want

[@metteandersenebeltoftskole9429]

My daughter fought cancer and won! (Chemo free now) Diagnosed when 14 now she’s 19. I hope she, in her adult life, will be just as smiling and sweet as Vanessa - I’m certain though, cause she’s always making an effort, especially around little kids and they love her. My heart goes out to all children with an illness. ❤️

[@damaniqphillip2756]

bepowerification I didn’t know she had leukemia I had that when I was 3

[@bLLUi15]

Your icon gave me a panic attack

[@georgiaritchie6731]

I THOUGHT THERE WAS A SANDFLY ON MY SCREEN

[@Ajuliano671]

I love how Stephen made the connection of "Bear" and "Bayer" in the book title at the very end.

[@marzellholbrook6130]

Literally at the fadeout

[@JaxMusicSatire]

How to care for your well-rested-Stephen-Col-bear... If it was before his vacay, he might've missed that connection, lol.

[@thegreatmonster]

Yeah... and he actually saw it himself, asking her about it to confirm that.

[@hectorcornejo1468]

I cracked up when he noticed it lol

[@alanpyne896]

I made the connection at literally the same time as Steven.

[@sarahturner4148]

I had no idea she had cancer. Amazing. Love you Vanessa!

[@Dan-pd9ys]

“They busted my end of chemo party, like who are you monsters how dare you” ahahahahahaha she’s so wonderful.

[@mouija1450]

On some level, that's some serious punk street cred. "I played this show for my little sister that has cancer and the cops shut us down. Cops suck ass." How does anyone argue with that fact? Even if 99% of cops are cool, those cops were garbage. On the other hand, I've been skateboarding for 30+ years and often have a cop show up in a squad car while I'm skating a plaza at midnight and just give me a hang loose sign when he sees I'm just trying to get some old-man shreddage and cut loose after working all day. The best night was me skating a plaza in the hood when my wife and I first moved to Denver in 2009 and two DPD guys hung out with me for the better part of two hours just drinking coffee and listening to the radio while I was skating a curb. They offered a free ride down 10 blocks and dropped me off in front of my apartment after I was done skating, and advised me that the plaza had a fatal shooting over the winter, so it may not be the best place to skate late at night by myself. They even went so far as to pull up Google maps and show me the big and famous ditches and street spots in the city, with a caveat that private owners would likely kick me out, and they were forced to do the same after a disturbance call. That seemed fair, and I appreciate officer A and B for both being Instagram fans to this day.

[@sarahw103]

Such an underrated SNL performer. She’s incredible. So insanely funny.

[@user-mx9xo5jh3k]

@Erik Lerström what's wrong with it?

[@grey.poupon]

Erik Lerström or maybe just a brit

[@sarahw103]

Grazy Nicole I’m a Brit!! Sorry! Didn’t mean to offend. Editing now. TOTALLY would never make that sort of jab. She’s amazing and strong.

[@looney1023]

Dawn Lazarus! HAP

[@JazzFlop212]

underrated means nothing anymore. Anything remotely likeable is now called underrated and it's the fucking worst. someone shoot me

[@julius5256]

That reminds me of this Robin Williams quote: "I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it's like to feel absolutely worthless and they don't want anybody else to feel like that.”

[@discipleofsakura]

RIP, Robin. He'll always be Pan the Man.

[@ravenclawkc]

real shit

[@waitforkait]

I miss him so much :( he was truly a gift

[@psanch1326]

Ju Lius I just read this quote and completely tested up.

[@bulletbill1104]

Ju Lius he died

[@nathanc6204]

I'm in the mood for some Totinos now.

[@Jonbutter]

anything for My Hungry Guys

[@sour_peckanmix]

*WHATS HAPPENING TO MY HUNGRY GUYS*

[@MrSasyB]

GO GO GO GO GO! TOUCHDOWN!

[@nataliebaker8149]

I miss this skit soooo much

[@Luis-iq8mu]

Fumble!

[@RichardX1]

Mad props to Vanessa from a fellow leukemia survivor!

[@seand8613]

Richard Thompson Mad props to you too!!

[@SneedyKetler]

This was not news to me, but I still enjoy her stories Mad props to you as leukemia survivor from me, also in the club! CML at roughly the same age age as Vanessa

[@harkiratsingh4594]

I just adore her..that genuine smile.

[@veryexciteddog963]

Ikr? She's adorable

[@andrewgutmann9432]

I love Vanessa Bayer, but my real takeaway from this interview is that you can say dickhead on CBS.

[@maxhydekyle2425]

After 9pm

[@maddyherrera7734]

That was EXACTLY what I thought no joke hahahaha

[@Bllueee]

It looks like they skipped something right after she said that if u watch it again. I wonder what happened right after

[@lissfuller]

I just want to have half the confidence of Vanessa Bayer as a teenager. As in, I'll beat leukaemia, become famous and meet this famous celebrity in the future, type of confidence.

[@blackspruceknittingpodcast]

I had cancer three years ago, when I was 25. Watching this now and noticing Vanessa's port scar makes me feel something that defies description.

[@scratchmyback1]

I didn't even notice, had to go back and watch to see it ... I got my port removed in January. So my scar is still very noticeable.

[@blackspruceknittingpodcast]

@@scratchmyback1Mine has faded quite a bit! More noticeable than Vanessa's, but definitely not as noticeable as it was after surgery. I may eventually get a tattoo to cover it up completely. Congratulations on being done!

[@jetnut89]

@@blackspruceknittingpodcast Don't cover it up. I've got double scars and its almost like a tattoo in and of itself.

[@TheDeppfan1963]

I didn't even notice! I used to be embarrassed by mine, but love it now. I'm so proud of what my body helped me get through.

[@SneedyKetler]

I have my port scar, but I also ended up with deep stretch marks on my trunk, legs and upper arms after gaining weight from prescription steroids. It was the only time I wasn’t a little guy. To this day it’s the first thing I get asked about when my hospital gowns slips down. I won’t go in a pool w/o a wetsuit because I’m so self-conscious about the damage done to my body by the treatment.

[@AK13th]

I like how right at the end Stephen just realizes the "Bear" in the book title matched Vanessa's "Bayer" name. XD

[@Fey_Fatale]

I realized right then too! Lol

[@joshuabauman1431]

THE SMILE THAT JUST WON'T QUIT

[@r.coffman1431]

I wish my sister could've survived her battle. Started at age 11, and took her at 21. She had a beautiful personality and soul.

[@ryanpeacock9004]

Oh no. I'm so sorry for your loss

[@cmarq817]

What was her name? 😞.

[@Tonyhouse1168]

💙

[@Redhunteur2]

God I love her so much. How could you be sad around Vanessa Bayer? I miss her on SNL.

[@adorable3817]

SHE'S AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to buy her book just because I love her 🥰

[@hammun6]

Infectious smile. And I used to just LOVE her Bar Mitzvah boy character on SNL.

[@sulanis8444]

This video brought me back to when my 18 month old daughter was diagnosed with Pre B ALL Leukemia. She is now 3 years in remission, but it's still a scary time. It's great to see another success story.

[@everysoundthereis]

Good luck and strength to you and your family.

[@andreanovak9163]

Similar story here, my daughter was the same age and had the very same diagnosis. We just entered maintenance, she just turned 2. Very difficult time indeed. Kids are very resilient though, seeing them fight definitely gave me strength,too.

[@blakeandersonECW420]

She's so damn cute I miss her on SNL

[@drewmaguire8231]

And you sound salty Bruce

[@TRICHOMETRIST]

Its Jacob!!

[@neomcdoom]

Bruce Leroy She loves ME

[@Paull2]

Add me to the list of lame people then.

[@BlackWidowYesEternalsNo]

Bruce Leroy My to kill list: Justin Bieber The president Jonas Brothers Miley Cyrus You

[@gemmamalo96]

The audience is so ready to laugh at everything, it's just how infectiously happy and funny she is IMO... she has the best energy.

[@felixLucretius]

My god, her smile is absolutely radiant. I’m so caught off guard by it

[@catalinacurio]

Comedy and good comedians are probably saving American lives as laughing keeps us sane during hard times, thank you Vanessa and Stephen. 💙

[@iverson51492]

catalinacurio relax

[@afisemenaborevlaka48]

@@iverson51492 Yeah, in America, where even the poor are fat, have free cell phones, and live better than 90% of the world's population.

[@echostorm1996]

@@afisemenaborevlaka48 Please get out of here with that bullshit attitude. Just because people live worse lives elsewhere does not mean no one else is allowed to be sad or depressed about their situation.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

@@echostorm1996 Don't feed the Russian troll!

[@General_Nothing]

I love that Colbert got the pun right at the end. Me too man.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

This interview just makes me love Vanessa Bayer even more! She was great on SNL, and there's something about her cuteness, her upbeat personality and her toothy smile that is just irresistible.

[@theresaewald2405]

"It's really no big deal you guys..." after making a big lead-up to it! lol How adorable is she!

[@rachelisagrapefruit]

Such an adorable and charming person. Love her!

[@user-ce1ju8eg2i]

She's so adorable, I love her

[@shanhussain6114]

She is so sweet, adorable and charming!

[@cas4040]

I was so sad when she left SNL, I lost it when I saw her on what we do in the shadows. She’s great.

[@fousies]

So glad she’s ok!!! I had a friend once who did not make it diagnosed at 15 as well. Love hearing this

[@cwbrooks5329]

Huh. I actually never knew she was ever sick. Am I the only one?

[@smokejc]

yes. the only person in the entire world.

[@cwbrooks5329]

@@smokejc Well, damn. Glad I'm finally up to speed.

[@jozemrlz383]

We didn't have the heart to tell you

[@jjd112777]

I must have lived under the rock right next door to you....

[@MultiOMFG1]

I didn't either! ...but admittedly, while I always thought she was pretty cool - she's always just been in my periphery.

[@TinaTr84]

I realized 'bear' and 'Bayer' were homophones at the exact same time as Stephen did, right at the end 😆

[@glasswolf2061]

Same, lmao.

[@dugfriendly]

Love her. Colbert got the double entendres at the same time I did. “Bear”

[@mcnoneya]

My first make a wish back in 2001 was to go shopping with Britney Spears when she said we could meet but not shop I decided on a cruise to the Bahamas instead

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

Mary Clark 🤣 is this for real?

[@mcnoneya]

B.b. Gun yes for real, I was 10 okay. Now I’m not such a fan, not cuz of that but just cuz not a fan. The memories from my cruise, are vague but so nice and irreplaceable

[@ryanpeacock9004]

That's shitty. She can't spare time for a kid with cancer? I'm glad you survived btw.

[@mcnoneya]

@@ryanpeacock9004 Make a wish is for kids with any sort of terminal illness. I didn’t have cancer I have long term respiratory failure. It’s kinda hard to explain but basically my lungs are in really bad shape and they didn’t think I’d survive long. I grew out of my Britney Spears phase and the memories from my cruise are awesome. My family ended up going to Disney World after (on our own dime of course as the cruise was the wish) cuz the cruise left from Florida and my aunt lived nearby. So when we got back we did that too it extended our vacation. It was fun, so.. it all worked out.

[@juliannah5721]

@@ryanpeacock9004 its been made painfully obvious that she hasn't been able to make any decisions for years and years. I doubt that was her call. But how lovely of you to judge without knowing anything.

[@marvelfan1739]

I didn't know she had leukemia at 15, she is a very brave and beautiful woman

[@bertoramirez9499]

107 empty souls disliked this video. How can you dislike a video about this wonderful woman overcoming cancer and achieving a childhood dream to meet a celebrity but as a peer?

[@nahuelma97]

Lmao loved Stephen's "OOOH" at the end

[@caligal1090]

Such a beautiful, bright smile, and she totally can pass as a elementary school teacher lol, i love her on snl

[@Rainy-In-The-Desert]

I love Vanessa so much! She's incredible in everything she does, she's literally winning at life. She's such a sweetheart, I want to see more of her on tv!

[@DAR-ew6xc]

She’s just an absolute ray of sunshine

[@RyanIMiyashiro]

I love the pun in the title, and how it's based on her own life

[@lilshabaz1862]

Question: Which bear is best? That's a ridiculous question- False! Vanessa Bayer

[@gveronique18]

Such a delightful woman! I miss her on SNL, she was amazing!

[@justinestes6400]

She's a master of the comedic pause!!

[@jordankriss2440]

Her story with Jared Leto is so adorable!

[@flor3651]

she literally shines when she enters the room, such a sunshine i'm crying

[@haleydach2715]

I've had a couple glasses of wine, but, I'm really tearing up at this interview.

[@elysezanbaka]

shes so freaking adorable

[@nitishjoshi3751]

Vanessa is the queen of the 'happy disappointment' emotion...

[@sarahb2004]

Her smile!!!! What a gorgeous human being. You can tell she is just a genuinely great person.

[@FLYIN_DAGGERZ]

She was one of the best female SNL cast members of all time. Hands down.

[@bobblehobbit3931]

I heard Jared Leto and until he showed the picture, I thought she was talking about Jay Leno.

[@pettywhite8124]

Same!

[@Paintress]

Same lol

[@marcusmadden8142]

Same! I was like what’s the big deal about a chunky talk show host lol

[@dimitrov505z8]

Damn me too

[@pijamongullie2502]

Thought I was the only 1

[@geekwithglasses2897]

Holy shit when she was making that three goddesses sketch she kept pitching bears because of her name!!! How I’m I only getting this now??

[@JessicaChastainFan]

Vanessa has the most gorgeous smile!

[@bufjayup7774]

What a happy girl Smile is infectuous. Always happy

[@user-oc7xg8nx2y]

I respect this human being because she is respectful and not vulgar

[@JaxMusicSatire]

I loved this interview. Fresh and super authentic.

[@kvltslime2261]

Vannesa Bayer's smile gives me life. I love her so much

[@duckhouser]

Her personality is wonderful!

[@pandorafox3944]

She is such a strong and fearless comedian and actor. A delight 💞

[@natedavies954]

Can confirm. I made the stupid decision to let my first time drinking be at my friend Derek's freshman party (I was 14). Needless to say, I overdid it. To the point that, after literally destroying someone's van on the way to the hospital and having my stomach pumped, the doctors had to use a defibrilator 4 times and my heart stopped for 14 seconds. I was unconscious 16 hours. When I woke up, there was a girl sitting by my bed, holding my hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was the best friend of a girl that told me months earlier that (as a person) she hated me, in the middle of class. I asked her what she was doing there, and she said that that friend was being examined after suffering whiplash in a car accident. I then asked "No, why are you here with me?" And she smiled, wiped her eyes, and said "So you'd know how much I'd miss you if you weren't here."

[@strawberries1186]

A bit confused

[@dr.bobcat5896]

Her presence alone puts a smile on my face.

[@erickoontz6835]

Yep! Right at the end Stephen caught the word play: "Bayer" and "Bear." Go, Stephen!!

[@rquethe]

Vanessa is a truly delightful person.

[@francescacastillo274]

Anyone who's ever been sick, especially as a kid, can tell you the funniest most morbid jokes. I love that she's so open about it. I never told anyone to school and hid illnesses. What an awesome lady.

[@MikePhoenix007]

One of my SNL favorites. Such a delightful person!

[@lemonielala3080]

And she NEVER breaks in the skits, no matter how insane it gets!!😂😍

[@MikePhoenix007]

@@lemonielala3080 True. Such a rare sight to see her break.

[@jm6022]

Vanessa Bayer..most natural smile...

[@galvantis2477]

Vanessa Bayer is one of 9tg hose rare people who you can look at for once and come to conclusion that she is a wholesome, genuine and amazing person.

[@alienozi]

She's just precious.

[@bonniel4325]

Her show "I Love That for You," was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. I hope they make more episodes. It was brilliant. Love you Vanessa.

[@JeremyPickett]

Vanessa, you are so wonderful. Thank you for your grace and presence. ... (Looks around) And your Totinos.

[@JeyP667]

What an amazing person! Absolutely lovely through and through!!!

[@katie4623]

How does she say "dickhead" while maintaining that smile!

[@theeleanorshellstrop]

I would love to be Vanessa’s friend, to even just be an acquaintance would be a dear gift.

[@adamelmes9233]

She comes off so well such a beautiful and funny person.

[@Freaksnake]

her story makes me joyfully weepy. What a swell lady.

[@likehell5803]

Stephen dropping the exit club reference is cooler than you know!!!! It's a Chicago staple

[@slydoll7877]

she's like a lovely fairy!

[@haraggan]

I could live off her smile

[@mortomusic8072]

She so damn cute.😍😍😍😍😲😫😦😍😍😀Also its a great bit where she looks around the stage for people she likes to come onto the stage like with Anne Hathaway and Ru Paul.

[@jasminehouston-burns1691]

....and then progressively suggests more accessible reality show stars

[@bernice_anders]

I completely missed that

[@videovoidtv]

She’s like a funny little ball of sunshine. So cute.

[@kimberlyk2172]

I’ve met Vanessa and she is the sweetest soul!

[@CyberUK]

Love her. She's adorable & very funny.

[@qbqb99]

That smile takes her a long way.

[@bargh70]

I'm so attracted to that type of personality.

[@MsMsmak]

She has the most astounding smile! And a lovely personality, and funny and and and...

[@muqsitamir2194]

What a Lovely person she is

[@catherinemaier4957]

I’m crying cuz I love you, Vanessa I’m so happy you’re better 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Mandrake591]

She is charming. What a sweetheart.

[@cyrusjames4625]

I can;t get over how gorgeous she is when she smiles

[@laurel1865]

I am the same age as Vanessa Bayer. I know all about "My So Called Life" and Jared Leto. I love when celebrities are born in the same year as me.

[@IsiahTomas]

Luciano Nobody old cares who you are.

[@felipedandrea124]

She's awesome. Hello from Lisbon, Vanessa.

[@kelseycoca]

this is too sweet. I just love her

[@rs-369]

I Love her killer smile!!!

[@johndinh9534]

Even at 38 she looks so young and cute. Beautiful and adorable personality. Id marry her even though im 21. Her smile can light up a room

[@jimhernandez7712]

she is soo awesome . luv it

[@megodoy]

I loved her!! Bring her back ASAP!! I bet she's got some great stories to share.

[@tylerkochman1007]

I love how at the end he got the pun in the title, at the same time a lot of us probably did

[@nickrich56]

this beauty is brilliant and fun ! Bring her back on !

[@HisashiBuri8]

Her cheek bones must hurt! Beautiful smile!