I know lots of people who are huge fans of Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit, but they can't spout a lick of First Age history, or can't tell you what Ungoliant is. (If you're wondering, Ungoliant is basically a spirit that is a lot like a spider, and she literally consumes light. Terrifying, I know)
But the real Tolkien fans, they can tell you the difference between Smeagol and Gollum, a demon and a balrog, and even Gandalf and Olorin. They can speak Quenya, they've read every written work by JRR Tolkien, and they are ashamed when they misquote the tiniest bit of lore. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the biggest fan of JRR Tolkien's work that I am aware of: Stephen Colbert.
Now, Stephen Colbert is known for his humorous late night shows. But his pride for his own knowledge of all things Tolkien is perhaps greater than that of his own show. From hosting various members of the cast of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, to having a cameo in Jackson's The Desolation of Smaug, Colbert is more involved with "Middle Earth", than many of us could ever dream of being. It is clear that this man is a Lord of the Rings fan.
What perhaps sets Stephen Colbert apart from the rest of us is his vast knowledge of Tolkien's works. The man has clearly read The Silmarillion, multiple times and claims it is his favorite book by Tolkien. I don't blame him, it's a great book, but it's like reading the bible of Middle Earth. And yet, the fact that he has read that book alone, elevates him above many fans. Take this clip from an interview with Conan O'Brien. If this man weren't the ultimate Lord of the Rings fan, would he be so embarrassed by such a small mistake?
I'm just saying, Stephen Colbert's level of Tolkien nerdism is something I aspire to. He understands Tolkien and is able to recall so much lore that I can't even start to remember, because I'm still struggling through The Silmarillion. And yet, Stephen Colbert is out here offering a master class in identifying Gollum and Smeagol (yes, they are different).
Whether it's creating his own script, or taking questions from audience members, Colbert is proud to show his knowledge off. He's not afraid to get into why Samwise Gamgee is the greatest character in The Lord of the Rings. He's happy to talk about deep lore and rehash exactly who is who in Valinor. That's why I would consider him The Ultimate Tolkien Fan.