Birthday: November 13, 1967
Age: 55 years old
Born: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height: 5‘ 11"
Net Worth: $50 million
Jimmy Kimmel is an Emmy-Award winning late night talk show host, comedian, writer and producer who co-hosted ABC‘s The Man Show before going on to create Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003. With his quick wit and goofy charm, Kimmel is now one of America‘s most popular and highest-paid hosts.
Early Life and Career
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Kimmel got his start in radio in the 1990s before transitioning to television. His first big break came in 1997 when he began co-hosting the Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein‘s Money. This success led to him co-creating and hosting the Comedy Central show The Man Show from 1999 to 2004 alongside friend Adam Carolla. Packed with raunchy comedy sketches and off-color jokes, The Man Show helped Kimmel gain a loyal young male fanbase.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Kimmel achieved his dream of having his own late night show when Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered on ABC in January 2003. Originally airing after Nightline at midnight, the show featured Kimmel‘s monologues along with comedy bits, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and segments like "Lie Witness News."
In 2013, Kimmel moved to the 11:35pm time slot to directly compete with late night veterans Jay Leno and David Letterman. He found immense success, proving his broad mainstream appeal. Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been nominated for dozens of Emmy awards, winning for Outstanding Variety Series in 2012.
Viral Video King
Kimmel helped pioneer leveraging the internet and social media to create viral comedy videos. Some of his most popular segments like "I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy," "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets," and "Unnecessary Censorship" have been viewed hundreds of millions of times online. Kimmel understands the modern digital landscape better than most late night hosts.
Unforgettable Interviews
While there are plenty of laughs, Kimmel can also conduct thoughtful interviews with A-list stars like Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Eminem. His chat with Kanye West discussing mental health issues in 2018 displayed Kimmel‘s empathetic side. In 2012, an interview with Kimmel helped introduce President Obama to younger voters.
Heartwarming Moments
Kimmel has shown he can handle serious topics with grace and emotion. His tearful monologue about his son‘s health issues rallied support for healthcare reforms. He also dedicates airtime every year on his show to promote charitable causes like St. Jude Children‘s Research Hospital. These touching segments prove Kimmel is more than just a funnyman.
"Jimmy Kimmel seems to be the only talk show host who has mastered the balance between funny entertainment and thoughtful insight on important topics." – Ellen Degeneres
By the Numbers
- 1 Emmy Award for Win Ben Stein‘s Money (1999)
- 3 Emmy Awards for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2012, 2016, 2017)
- 8 times hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards
- 30+ million YouTube subscribers across channels
- $50 million net worth
Fun Facts
- Kimmel‘s comedy idol was David Letterman
- He has a long-running fake feud with actor Matt Damon
- He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012
- Kimmel enjoys playing basketball in his free time
- He has two children with his wife Molly McNearney, who he married in 2013
Jimmy Kimmel‘s quick wit, goofy charm, hilarious video segments, and heartfelt moments have made him one of America‘s most beloved late night personalities. After 20 years on the air, the Emmy winner continues to feel as fresh and funny as ever. For late night comedy fans, he‘s the king.