Jon Stewart Has a Legitimate Reason for Growing a Beard

Jon Stewart is loving life after leaving The Daily Show – in particular, he’s enjoying his new facial hair.

“So I grew a beard because everybody who quits a talk show grows a beard,” Stewart, 52, said during a stand-up gig at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

“Mine is white. … I look old, right? It’s f—ing weird, right?” the comedian quipped. “Because when you’re on television they do makeup and the lighting is just right and you’re wearing a nice suit and everything – and now you’re seeing me as I normally am.”

Stewart stepped down from his Daily Show hosting duties in August after 16½ years. Comedian Trevor Noah took over on Sept. 28.

“When people see me on the street, they always have the same reaction,” Stewart continued on Saturday, before recounting the hilarious way people react to his new scruff: “When I’m not in my makeup and my show clothes and all that stuff: ‘Oh, hey are you Jon Stewart?’ And I go ‘Yeah.’ ‘Are you okay? Because it looks like you have hepatitis.’ ‘I’m just old.’ ”

All jokes aside, Stewart admitted he’s been content since leaving the anchor seat: “People ask me if I miss it and honestly, I don’t miss it at all. Because think about work, man. … No matter how much you like work, there’s nothing better than not work.”

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah airs weeknights at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

This article originally appeared on People.com

See Jon Stewart's Career Over the Years