Jimmy Kimmel is a famous American TV host, comedian, and writer who is best known for his late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He started his career in radio before moving to television, where his funny style and quick wit made him popular with audiences.
Over the years, he has hosted major award shows, interviewed countless celebrities, and created many memorable comedy moments. What makes Kimmel stand out is his mix of humor and honesty, often using jokes to talk about important issues in a way people can connect with.
Full Name | James Christian Kimmel |
Birth Date | November 13, 1967 |
Age | 57 (as of 2025) |
Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | German and Italian descent |
Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Parents | Jim Kimmel (father), Joan Kimmel (mother) |
Siblings | Jonathan Kimmel (brother), Jill Kimmel (sister) |
Current Home | Los Angeles, California |
Education | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (briefly), Arizona State University (BA) |
Occupation | TV host, Comedian, Producer, Writer, Actor |
Notable Shows | Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Man Show, Win Ben Stein’s Money |
Children | Kevin Kimmel, Katherine Kimmel, Jane Kimmel, William Kimmel |
Spouses | Gina Maddy (m. 1988; div. 2002), Molly McNearney (m. 2013–present) |
Career Start | Radio DJ/host while in college, then professional radio at age 21 |
Breakthrough | Co-host of Win Ben Stein’s Money (1997); Co-creator of The Man Show (1999) |
Other Work | Produced Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, The Andy Milonakis Show |
Major Milestones | Host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003; Hosted Emmy and Academy Awards several times |
Awards | Multiple Emmy awards and nominations |
Book | Author and illustrator of “The Serious Goose” |
Net Worth | Estimated around $50 million (as of 2025) |
Lesser Known Facts about Jimmy Kimmel
- Jimmy Kimmel has been fired from several radio jobs; this happened often early in his career, but he learned important life lessons from those setbacks and used humor as a coping tool.
- Kimmel is open about his struggles with anxiety and how expressing himself honestly, even about difficult topics, has been important for his growth. Therapy and support from his wife have helped him become more emotionally available.
- He loves to prank people, a side of his personality seen in stories about elaborate practical jokes on coworkers and family members, including his famous “Aunt Chippy”.
- Kimmel’s childhood best friend is the band leader on his late-night show. He didn’t realize his own family’s sense of humor until his friend pointed out how funny they were, which helped influence the comedic style of his show.
- He has a strong sense of responsibility and tries to help others, both with advice and even financial support, acknowledging that helping people is also a way to heal himself.
- Kimmel often reflects on his growth as a father and, more recently, as a grandfather, admitting that his family relationships have softened his perspective.
- Memorable comedy segments from his show that went viral on YouTube include “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” and “Halloween Candy YouTube Challenge,” which showcase his creative approach to humor.
- He once joked with Donald Trump on his show before either anticipated their later political differences, demonstrating his ability to mix pop culture and current events into comedy.
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