Jimmy Fallon
Born 1974 · Age 51
American comedian, actor, writer, singer, producer and television host best known for SNL (1998–2004), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–2014) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York
James Thomas Fallon born to Gloria (née Feeley) and James W. Fallon in Brooklyn, NY.
Family moved to Saugerties, New York (near Kingston)
Shortly after his birth, the Fallon family moved to Saugerties, NY where Jimmy was raised.
Began playing guitar
Developed musical interest and began playing guitar at age 13; combined music with comedy in performances.
Enrolled at The College of Saint Rose
Attended College of Saint Rose in Albany as a computer science major, later switched to communications.
Graduated Saugerties High School
Active in stage productions and won a young comedian's contest; graduated high school.
Dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles
Left Saint Rose a semester early to pursue stand-up comedy in Los Angeles; started doing sets at the Improv and took Groundlings classes.
Early stand-up at the Improv (earning $7.50 per set)
Performed stand-up in Los Angeles clubs, reportedly earning $7.50 per set in early gigs.
Small film appearances and cut line in Father's Day
Appeared in small feature films; a one-line part in 1997's Father's Day was cut (can be seen in background).
Appeared on Spin City
Brief appearance on Spin City (second season) as a man selling photographs.
Joined Saturday Night Live (debut as featured player)
Cast as a featured player at the beginning of SNL's 24th season; breakout quickly as an impressions-based performer.
Promoted to SNL repertory player
Promoted to repertory status in his second season on SNL.
Publication: I Hate This Place (co-written with sister Gloria)
First book release — a collection of e-mails with his sister.
Published I Hate This Place: A Pessimist's Guide to Life
Released a book of e-mail exchanges with his sister Gloria (co-author).
Began co-hosting SNL's Weekend Update with Tina Fey
Took over co-anchoring Weekend Update (roughly the start of his last four seasons), boosting national profile.
Appeared in Almost Famous (minor role)
Played Dennis Hope in Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (minor role).
SNL 'More Cowbell' sketch — notable on-air breaking character
Participated in the now-famous 'More Cowbell' sketch where breaking character became a recurring anecdote about Fallon.
Co-hosted the MTV Movie Awards
Co-hosted the 2001 MTV Movie Awards, expanding high-profile hosting résumé.
Co-hosted the MTV Video Music Awards
Hosted the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
Named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People
Included in People magazine's 2002 list.
Released comedy album The Bathroom Wall
Debut comedy album released (DreamWorks); later nominated for a Grammy.
Grammy nomination for The Bathroom Wall
Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (The Bathroom Wall).
Met future wife Nancy Juvonen on Fever Pitch production
Met producer Nancy Juvonen while working on Fever Pitch (production around 2004–2005).
Filmography milestone: increased film roles
Following SNL exit, transitioned to film roles (Taxi 2004, Fever Pitch 2005) though box office success was limited.
Left Saturday Night Live
Concluded sixth season on SNL at the end of the show's 29th season; left to pursue film career.
Starred in Taxi (film) — theatrical release (flop)
First lead role in the action-comedy Taxi (20th Century Fox); film performed poorly at box office and with critics.
Starred in Fever Pitch
Female-fronted romantic comedy starring opposite Drew Barrymore; tepid reviews and modest box office.
Publication: Snowball Fight!
Published children's book Snowball Fight! (2005).
Appeared in Factory Girl (supporting role)
Played promoter Chuck Wein in the Andy Warhol/Factory Girl drama.
Lorne Michaels urged NBC to give Fallon a holding deal
Michaels pushed NBC to sign Fallon to a holding deal (Feb 2007) to keep him for their Late Night franchise.
Proposed to Nancy Juvonen
Proposed in August 2007 with a bespoke engagement ring on the dock of Juvonen's family home in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
Married Nancy Juvonen
Married film producer Nancy Juvonen on December 22, 2007 (Necker Island reported in some sources).
Announced as successor to Conan O'Brien on Late Night
NBC announced in May 2008 that Fallon would take over Late Night when Conan left.
Television appearances and recurring guest roles
Made appearances on 30 Rock, The Electric Company, Sesame Street and more during late-2000s/early-2010s.
Award: Webby Awards Lifetime Achievement
Received Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon premiered
Late Night premiered in March 2009 with a focus on music, games and viral digital segments; The Roots became house band.
Returned to College of Saint Rose to receive BA and honorary degree
On May 9, 2009 Fallon received a Bachelor's degree in communications (experiential learning credits) and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Late Night viral moment: 'History of Rap' with Justin Timberlake
One of the show's first major viral clips; helped establish Fallon's online/viral strategy.
Primetime Emmy Award win (Interactive Media)
Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Nonfiction (2010).
Hosted the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
Hosted the 62nd Emmys (2010), marking a major awards-hosting milestone.
Publication: Thank You Notes
Published Thank You Notes (2011) — adult humor book.
Publication: Thank You Notes 2
Published follow-up Thank You Notes 2 (2012).
Released second comedy album Blow Your Pants Off
Compilation of musical performances from Late Night; released June 8, 2012.
Grammy Award (win) for Best Comedy Album
Grammy win for Best Comedy Album for Blow Your Pants Off (2013).
Won Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (Blow Your Pants Off)
Won the 2013 Grammy for Best Comedy Album for Blow Your Pants Off.
NBC announced Fallon would succeed Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show
NBC confirmed on April 3, 2013 that Fallon would become the sixth permanent Tonight Show host after the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Reported salary on Late Night: $11 million/year
As of August 2013, reports indicated Fallon earned $11 million annually for Late Night.
Primetime Emmy Award win (Outstanding Interactive Program)
Won Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Program (2014) among other Emmy recognitions.
Debut of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Tonight Show debut on Feb 17, 2014 drew 11.3 million viewers, marking his move to the flagship late-night franchise and return of the show to New York.
Second daughter (Frances 'Franny' Cole) born via surrogate
Second daughter born Dec 3, 2014 (per Biography), born via surrogate.
Primetime Emmy Award win (Social TV Experience)
Won the Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media — Social TV Experience (2015).
Published children's book Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada
Released first of a series of children's books aimed at young families.
Suffered ring avulsion finger injury
Tripped and injured his finger on June 26, 2015; underwent microsurgery, spent 10 days in ICU, expected months of recovery.
Appeared publicly at Emmys without finger bandage
Made first public appearance without his finger bandage at the 67th Emmy Awards (Sept 20, 2015).
Hosted Donald Trump on The Tonight Show (presidential campaign)
Interviewed candidate Donald Trump on Sept 15, 2016; later criticized for soft questions and haircut incident; Fallon apologized in 2017/2018.
Hosted 74th Golden Globe Awards
Hosted the Golden Globes in January 2017 (televised awards special).
Publication: Everything Is Mama
Published children's book Everything Is Mama (2017).
First daughter (Winnie Rose) born via surrogate
The couple welcomed their first daughter via surrogate in July 2013 (some sources give July 2013; Biography and other sources state July 2013).
Mother Gloria Fallon died
Fallon's mother Gloria died Nov 4, 2017 at age 68; subsequent Tonight Show tapings were canceled and Fallon paid tribute on air one week later.
Continued film and TV cameo appearances
Made various cameo and guest appearances in films and television including continued Tonight Show work and documentary appearances (e.g., Dads 2019).
Publication: This Is Baby
Published children's book This Is Baby (2019).
Publication: 5 More Sleeps 'Til Christmas
Published children's holiday book 5 More Sleeps 'Til Christmas (2020).
WubbaNub partnership: limited-edition pacifiers
Collaborated with pacifier company WubbaNub to create limited-edition pacifiers featuring characters from his children's books.
Reported NFT purchase (approx. $216,000)
Reports indicate Fallon most likely purchased one of his own NFTs in Nov 2021 for roughly $216,000 (later the subject of controversy).
Publications: Nana Loves You More; Con Pollo (with Jennifer Lopez)
Released multiple children's books in 2022: Nana Loves You More and Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure.
Promoted his NFT on The Tonight Show; controversy and NBC review
Discussed NFTs on-air during a Jan 2022 interview; criticized for potential conflict of interest because of his own NFT purchase; NBC said it found no violation.
Tested positive for COVID-19
Announced on Jan 4, 2022 that he tested positive for COVID-19 and had mild symptoms after vaccination.
Twitter hoax #RIPJimmyFallon trended nationwide
A hoax rumor trended on Twitter; Fallon publicly addressed it and referenced Elon Musk asking for verification; Fallon spoofed the rumors on his show the next day.
Allegations of toxic work environment reported
Rolling Stone article Sept 2023 alleged staff mistreatment on The Tonight Show; Fallon apologized publicly to staff.
Launched/hosted Strike Force Five podcast
Began hosting the Strike Force Five comedy podcast with other late-night hosts (Colbert, Meyers, Kimmel, Oliver) to support staff during 2023 WGA strike.
Rolling Stone published toxic workplace article
Sept 2023 Rolling Stone piece alleged a toxic work environment on The Tonight Show and accused Fallon of mistreating staff; Fallon apologized publicly the same day.
Publication: 5 More Sleeps 'Til Halloween
Published 5 More Sleeps 'Til Halloween (2024).
Released album Holiday Seasoning
Studio album 'Holiday Seasoning' listed with release date Nov 1, 2024 (per discography).
Publication: Papa Doesn't Do Anything!
Listed publication for 2025 (Feiwel & Friends).
Broadway debut in All In: Comedy About Love
Made Broadway debut in 2025 limited-run comedic segments (All In: Comedy About Love) per Britannica.
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