Daniel Craig Shocks Stephen Colbert With Correction On How To Pronounce His Name

Marco Margaritoff
·2-min read

Daniel Craig had a “bone to pick” with Stephen Colbert — and told him about it to his face.

The former James Bond star had a chat on Monday’s “Late Show” about his new film “Queer,” but before a commercial break, Craig noted that he’s been coming onto the show for several years — and that Colbert has never once correctly pronounced his name.

“I have a bone to pick with you,” he told the host. “Six shows — say my name.”

Colbert obliged and apparently pronounced the actor’s last name correctly: Rather than having “Craig” rhyme with “bed,” he targeted the final syllable to elongate the name — and pronounced it “Cray-ig” in a way that makes it rhyme with “vague.”

“Oh, now you’re doing it right,” Craig cheekily told Colbert.

While Colbert managed on the first try, he appeared to grow confused about the two different pronunciations.

“It’s a diphthong,” said Craig about the final syllable in his last name. “I don’t say ‘Col-bett!’”

While one could argue that the differing pronunciations speak merely to varying dialects — Craig is a native Briton and Colbert an American — the comedian sincerely apologized despite his mistake being a “subtle one.”

“I don’t want you, Daniel Cray-ig, mad at me,” said Colbert. “Daniel Craig? Fuck that guy. Daniel Cray-ig? I’m so sorry. Please accept my apology.”

Craig has appeared on the “Late Show” nearly every other year since 2015 and is currently promoting Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burrough’s “Queer,” which follows an alcoholic American expat in 1950s Mexico City who grows infatuated with another man.

While currently only available in a limited release, and despite the film only expanding nationwide in February, the trades are already buzzing about Craig’s chances at the upcoming Oscars — and wagering that he could receive his first-ever nod for Best Actor.

See his full exchange with Colbert here:

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