Jimmy Kimmel is an American comedian, writer, and television host known for hosting the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC since 2003 . He gained public attention for his sharp political satire, his emotional monologues on healthcare, and his long-running public feud with former President Donald Trump .
Quick Facts
Full Name: James Christian Kimmel
Age: 58 (born November 13, 1967)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Comedian, Television Host, Writer, Producer
Known For: Hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!; Hosting the Academy Awards; Political satire
Marital Status: Married to Molly McNearney (since 2013)
Children: Four – daughters Katherine and Jane; sons Kevin and Billy
Early Life and Background
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a child, he idolized David Letterman and pursued radio broadcasting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He began his professional broadcasting career at age 21, working in local radio markets in Tucson, Seattle, and Phoenix before transitioning to television.
Career and Achievements
Kimmel began his television career as a co-host of the Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein’s Money and later co-hosted The Man Show with Adam Carolla . In 2003, ABC gave him his own late-night series, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which has become one of the longest-running late-night talk shows on the network . As of December 2025, Kimmel signed a contract extension keeping the show on air through May 2027 .
Beyond his talk show, Kimmel has hosted the Academy Awards and the Emmy Awards. He has also hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? since 2020, earning an Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2025. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013 and was named to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2018. His estimated net worth is approximately $50 million.
Kimmel has also been a prominent advocate for healthcare access, a cause that became personal after his son Billy was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition.
Major Event or Controversy
Kimmel has faced multiple controversies throughout his career. He has been criticized for past racially insensitive sketches, including blackface impersonations of Karl Malone and Oprah Winfrey. In September 2025, his show was briefly suspended after he made comments about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He later returned to record ratings.
The most recent controversy occurred on April 26, 2026, when Kimmel aired a parody skit mocking the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. During the monologue, he joked that First Lady Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow”. The joke aired two days before a shooting at the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where President Trump and the First Lady were evacuated unharmed. The suspect was apprehended after firing shots near a security checkpoint.
Why He Is In the News
Kimmel is in the news after both President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for ABC and its parent company Disney to fire him over the “expectant widow” joke. Melania Trump described the remarks as “hateful and violent” and “corrosive,” stating that “people like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate”. President Trump demanded that “Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC,” calling the joke “far beyond the pale”.
Conclusion
Jimmy Kimmel is a veteran late-night host and comedian who has spent more than two decades at the center of American entertainment and political satire. Despite ongoing controversies and repeated calls for his firing from political figures, he continues to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a contract extending through 2027.
