Then/Now: 'The Daily Show' All-Stars

"The Daily Show" has gone through lots of changes and scores of players since it first aired on Comedy Central in 1996.  Did you know that current host, Jon Stewart, was approached to host the show when it launched, and he turned it down?  He changed his mind and accepted the gig in 1998 when founding host Craig Kilborn decided to pursue other opportunities.  Check out some of the personalities who have come and gone on both hosts' shows, and where they are now. Including Mr. Kilborn. (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>   (AP )

Colbert joined the show after it's first season on the air. Craig Kilborn referred to him as "the new guy" for his first two years on the show.  Unlike other players on the show who largely played themselves, he developed a character for his correspondent duties. He described him as "a fool who has spent a lot of his life playing not the fool." He won three Emmys as a writer for the show in '04, '05 and '06. (AP) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

The 46-year-old got his own spin-off in 2005: "The Colbert Report." Maybe you've heard of it? He's won several Emmys for writing on his show, picking up his latest win in 2010.  The snarky host has also won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album for "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All" in 2010.  Oh yeah, and he has a treadmill on the International Space Station named after him as well. (Reuters) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

The U.S. Marine was a correspondent for the show from 2006-2008. Before that he made several appearances on "Saturday Night Live." In 2007 he went to Iraq to report for the show and entertain the troops. (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

The 40-year-old comedian recently starred in "The Other Guys" with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. He also has a recurring role on the CBS comedy, "Gary Unmarried." (Columbia Pictures) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

Ed was best known as a hilarious correspondent before ditching the show in 2006 to become Andy "Nard-Dog" Bernard on "The Office." (Comedy Central) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The 36-year-old actor has appeared in several movies including "Night at the Museum" and "Walk Hard" but it wasn't until 2009's "The Hangover" that he really gained recognition as a Hollywood star.  Ed still makes appearances on "The Daily Show" and fans should be glad to know that he's currently working on a sequel to "The Hangover," due out in 2011. (Reuters) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

In 2002 Rob began his correspondent duties which often included references back to his hometown of Boston, MA.  When Stephen Colbert left the show, Rob took on his "This Week in God" segment. His screen time went into overdrive when he assumed the host post when Jon couldn't make it after the birth of his second child in 2006. (Comedy Central) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

The 39-year-old has appeared in several films - including "Harold &amp; Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" and "Hot Tub Time Machine" - since his official exit from the show in 2006. (AP) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>  

Mo Rocca was a regular contributor on the show from 1998-2003. <b>Fun Fact:</b> Mo has a degree in English Lit from Harvard University. (Comedy Central) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The 41-year-old is a regular judge on "Iron Chef America." He also hosts "Food(ography)" on the Cooking Channel, and is a regular gust panelist on the PBS radio quiz show "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me." Rocca also recently starred on Broadway in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." (AP) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411"><b>Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</b></a><br>

It may seem as though "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (2005) made this guy famous, but he really got noticed on "The Daily Show." He was a correspondent from 1999 until 2005. Remember <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GadX_R7dkCs">"Produce Pete"</a>? Good times. (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>  

These days Steve Carell is one of Hollywood's biggest stars.  Besides a string of hits including "The 40-Year Old Virgin," "Anchor Man" and "Get Smart," he has starred in the NBC hit, "The Office" for seven seasons. Carell announced earlier this year that he's leaving the show when his contract expires in 2011, but fans will still get to see plenty of this 48-year-old funnyman.  He was in the moderately successful "Dinner for Schmucks" this summer, and next up is "Get Smart 2" slated for a 2011 release. (Reuters) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The stand-up comedian was the voice of "The Ugly American" on the show.  Good friend Jon Stewart brought him on to "The Daily Show" when he started as host and Dave remained on the show for three years.  (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The comedian has tried his hand at several shows which ultimately ended up failing.  First there was "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" in 2002, then "Insomniac with Dave Attell" which ran from 2001-2004. In 2008 he launched "The Gong Show with Dave Attell," but it only lasted a few episodes.  He continues to do stand-up comedy and recently performed at a benefit to help homeless animals.  (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

Nate followed in his older brother's footsteps and joined the show in 2005.  (Comedy Central) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

Nate turned to acting after his gig on the show ended in mid-2006.  He has appeared on "30 Rock" and "Guiding Light" and currently has a recurring role on "The United States of Tara." (Reuters) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe member was a correspondent on the show  from 1998-2002.  (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The 45-year-old continues writing and directing. He has also been in several notable shows and movies in the last few years.  He made an appearance in "I Love You, Man" and "The Hangover" and has a recurring role on "Players." (Warner Bros.) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>  

The Ohio native was a correspondent for the show during the Craig Kilborn years, from 1996-1999.  (Comedy Central) <a href="http://twitter.com/@fox411" target="_blank">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

Unger has done some really random things since leaving the show. He was a Yoo-Hoo and Maxwell House Coffee spokesperson, and did a BMW documentary. (imdb) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>

TV Guide named the "Daily Show" the "Best Last Night Comedy" while Craig Kilborn was host.  During his tenure from 1996 to 1998, the witty blonde made some inappropriate comments to Esquire magazine about the show's head writer, saying: "To be honest, Lizz does find me very attractive. If I wanted her to bl** me, she would."  Although he apologized publicly for his improper remarks saying they were "out of jest," he was suspended from the show for a week.  (Comedy Central) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a><br>

The 48-year-old hosted "The Late Late Show" for five years after leaving "The Daily Show."  He then took a six-year break from TV to focus on feature films like "Old School," "The Shaggy Dog" and "The Benchwarmers." In June 2010 he returned to the silver screen with "The Kilborn File" on FOX.  (Reuters) <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/@fox411">Follow FOX411.com on Twitter.</a>