Stephen Colbert to Be Saluted at Oscar Wilde Irish in Film Event (Exclusive)

Stephen Colbert will take time in between gigs to be honored at the 10th annual Oscar Wilde Awards, which take place Feb. 19 at J.J. Abrams‘ Bad Robot production company in Santa Monica.

The nonprofit US-Ireland Alliance created the easygoing shindig to recognize the contributions of the Irish in film and television. Colbert, however, was born in Washington and raised in Charleston, S.C.

“My great-great-grandfather sailed from Limerick with but two goals: 1) get a job digging the Erie Canal and 2) party in L.A. I am proud to fulfill his dream,” Colbert told US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo.

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Colbert ended his nine-year run as host, writer and executive producer of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report in December. He will succeed David Letterman as host of CBS’ The Late Show in September.

Colin Davidson, the renowned contemporary painter from Northern Ireland, also will be feted this year. Star Wars: Episode VII director Abrams, like Colbert an Oscar Wilde “honorary Irishman” (in 2010), is scheduled to be there to host the awards-season event.

Irish singer-songwriters Gavin James and Megan O’Neill will perform.

Twitter: @mikebarnes4