Stephen Colbert Pays Heartfelt Tribute To His Late Longtime Cameraman

Stephen Colbert took a moment during his wildly popular show to pay tribute to the late John Meiklejohn, his longtime cameraman.

Meiklejohn passed away last week.

He was an industry veteran, winning the 2012 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special for his work capturing that year's Tony Awards ceremony.

He also worked on nearly 200 episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which allowed him and the comic to develop a respectful rapport.

According to Colbert:

"He was known to everybody. He'd been working in New York forever. He believed in me and I could feel it from him, and sadly we lost John last weekend. I wish I could have seen him again."

Colbert added that Meiklejohn "liked to talk about his boat."

In fact, the two men shared a passion for boating and for fishing.

"He gave me a beautiful fishing rod for my 50th birthday and he gave me the most beautiful gift of all, like I said, he believed in me."

Colbert recalled that in Meiklejohn firmly believed Colbert would have a long and fruitful career on television, once telling Colbert's own father-in-law after a taping that the show would succeed "because of that man at that desk."

Colbert was visibly emotional as he remembered that moment, telling the audience:

"While I never got to see him again, I do miss him, and I want to say, 'Thank you John. I love you, old man."

You can watch Colbert's tribute below:

Stephen Pays Tribute To John Meiklejohnwww.youtube.com

Colbert's viewers were touched by his words.

It didn't take long for other tributes to Meiklejohn to pour in.

Rest in peace, Mr. Meiklejohn—and thanks for the great work over the years.