Stephen Colbert, often associated with comedy, embarked on his television journey with a dramatic twist. In 1993, before he became a household name, Colbert played the role of Chet Davies, a minor character in the short-lived ABC crime drama Missing Persons. The show, created by Stephen J. Cannell, followed the missing persons unit of a Chicago police department and was set and filmed in Chicago.

Colbert, then a budding comedian from Chicago's Second City, appeared in the series' second episode titled 'Cabe… What Kind of Name Is That.' This role came shortly after Colbert's unsuccessful audition for Saturday Night Live and his interview for Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

In the episode, Colbert's character, a concerned airline pilot, returns home to find his wife trapped under a cabinet and his son missing, eventually reuniting with them in a touching scene. Despite the show's cancellation in 1994, Colbert's comedic career took off shortly after, leading to his success with Exit 57, The Daily Show, and eventually hosting The Late Show.

For those curious about Colbert's early days, the entire Missing Persons series is available for streaming on YouTube.