Jimmy Kimmel
Born 1967 · Age 59
American television host, comedian, writer, voice actor, and producer; host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003; frequent awards-show host.
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Life & Career Timeline
Family moves to Las Vegas
Kimmel moved with his parents and siblings from New York to Las Vegas at age 9.
Started hosting on college radio while in high school
Inspired by David Letterman; hosted an interview show on a local college radio station during high school.
Attended UNLV and later Arizona State University
Briefly attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, then Arizona State University before leaving to pursue radio.
Began professional radio career (age 21)
Left college and began bouncing among radio markets (Seattle, Phoenix, Tucson, Tampa) launching his professional radio career.
Married Gina Maddy
Kimmel married his college sweetheart Gina Maddy (marriage later ended in divorce).
Joined KROQ's Kevin & Bean Show
Joined Los Angeles station KROQ first as a producer, then as on-air personality 'Jimmy the Sports Guy' on The Kevin & Bean Show.
TV breakout: Win Ben Stein's Money
Transitioned to television as co-host/sidekick on Comedy Central's Win Ben Stein's Money (1997–2002).
Won Daytime Emmy Award (Win Ben Stein's Money)
Kimmel and Ben Stein received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host.
Cofounded Jackhole Industries
Formed production company Jackhole Industries with Adam Carolla and Daniel Kellison to develop TV projects.
Launched/co-hosted The Man Show
Began cohosting The Man Show on Comedy Central with Adam Carolla (show began in 1999 and ran several years).
The Man Show gains major popularity (network milestone)
The Man Show (started 1999) became one of Comedy Central's most successful shows in its run, raising Kimmel's profile nationally.
Appeared in film/voice roles (early 2000s)
Began appearances and voice roles in several films and TV projects (e.g., voice in Road Trip (2000) and others).
Crank Yankers project development
Through Jackhole, developed and produced puppet prank-call show Crank Yankers (debut 2002).
End of Win Ben Stein's Money
Win Ben Stein's Money ended production in 2002 (Kimmel had been a staple from 1997–2002).
Crank Yankers premieres
Crank Yankers premiered (2002–2007), produced by Jackhole/associated producers.
Negotiations to host ABC late-night show
Kimmel was in negotiations (May 2002) and publicly announced (Nov 2002) as ABC's choice to host a new late-night talk show.
Began producing additional TV shows
Executive produced shows such as The Adam Carolla Project, The Andy Milonakis Show (2005–2006), and others via Jackhole/Kimmel's production affiliates.
Premiere of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel Live! debuted on ABC (lead-out for Super Bowl XXXVII), launching Kimmel as a major late-night host and executive producer.
Divorce from Gina Maddy finalized
Kimmel's divorce from first wife Gina Maddy was finalized (Gina filed in 2002).
Show largely stopped airing truly live
After an April 23, 2004 episode featuring actor Thomas Jane's profanity, the show moved from regular live-to-tape broadcasts to taped same-day recordings.
People's Choice Award nomination (favorite late-night host)
Kimmel received a People's Choice Award nomination for favorite late night talk show host (2005).
Co-hosting/guest spots on awards and specials
Hosted and appeared on many awards shows and specials (American Music Awards, ESPYs, etc.), growing profile and compensation.
High-profile parody of Jay Leno
During the 2010 Tonight Show conflict, Kimmel performed an entire show in character as Jay Leno, attracting major press attention and a follow-up call from Leno.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! special 'After the Academy Awards' episodes
Show developed tradition of special live/near-live editions after the Academy Awards and other major events.
Sarah Silverman 'I'm fucking Matt Damon' skit airs
A now-famous Jan 31, 2008 segment featuring Sarah Silverman went viral; Kimmel later produced a star-studded rebuttal video.
Creative Arts Emmy Award (Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics)
Segment/video related to the Matt Damon / Sarah Silverman bit won a Creative Arts Emmy in 2008.
Death of recurring cast member Veatrice Rice announced (segment milestone)
Veatrice Rice, a recurring parking lot security guard on the show, died January 21, 2009.
Show began broadcasting in 720p HD
Jimmy Kimmel Live! upgraded to 720p high-definition broadcasting.
Uncle Frank Potenza dies
Francis 'Uncle Frank' Potenza, a recurring on-screen security guard and Kimmel's real-life uncle, died at age 77.
Hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards
Kimmel hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards for the first time (also hosted later in 2016 and 2020).
Mean Tweets debuts
Mean Tweets segment premiered in March 2012 and became a widely shared recurring bit, featuring celebrities reading insulting tweets.
Engaged to Molly McNearney
Kimmel announced engagement to Molly McNearney, co-head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in August 2012.
Kimmel publicly addresses and resolves Kanye West feud
After Kanye West's Twitter tirade in 2013, Kimmel spoke with West on the phone and later had him on the show to resolve the dispute.
Show moved to 11:35 p.m. timeslot
ABC moved Jimmy Kimmel Live! to the earlier 11:35 p.m. ET/PT timeslot to compete directly with other late-night network shows.
10th anniversary special: 'Jimmy Kimmel Sucks!'
10th anniversary episode guest-hosted/taken over by Matt Damon in a special high-profile episode (highest-rated late-night that evening).
Kanye West sketch controversy
A Sept 25, 2013 sketch spoofing Kanye West's BBC interview provoked a public Twitter tirade; West later appeared on Kimmel's show and they reconciled.
Advocacy on healthcare moves into political spotlight
Following his son's surgery and his monologues, Kimmel became a visible figure in U.S. healthcare debates and public advocacy for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Birth of daughter Jane Kimmel
Kimmel and Molly McNearney welcomed daughter Jane on July 10, 2014.
Mean Tweets segment popularity milestone
Mean Tweets segment (debuted March 2012) amassed over 38 million YouTube views by April 2015.
Back to the Future Day special (Oct 21, 2015)
Hosted a special with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reuniting as Marty and Doc for 'Back to the Future Day'.
Hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards (second time)
Returned to host the Emmy Awards in 2016.
Hosted the Academy Awards (89th Oscars)
Kimmel hosted the 89th Academy Awards (first time hosting the Oscars).
Birth of son William 'Billy' Kimmel
Kimmel and Molly McNearney's son William was born on April 21, 2017 and required emergency open-heart surgery hours after birth.
Emotional monologue about son's surgery and health-care advocacy
Returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! and delivered an emotional monologue about his newborn son's open-heart surgery and the importance of affordable health care.
Guest hosts fill in during son's second surgery
Shaquille O'Neal, Dave Grohl, Channing Tatum and Jennifer Lawrence served as guest hosts while Billy underwent a second surgery (Nov 2017 reporting).
Named in Time's '100 Most Influential People'
Time magazine included Jimmy Kimmel in its list of the world's 100 most influential people (2018).
Episode used Emergency Alert System tone (controversial bit)
An October 3, 2018 episode used the EAS tone in a sketch, later resulting in regulatory action.
ABC contract extended through 2022
Kimmel and ABC agreed to extend his contract to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! until 2022 (announced May 2019).
FCC fine for misuse of Emergency Alert System
ABC and Jimmy Kimmel Live! were fined $395,000 via an FCC settlement for misuse of the EAS tone (fine announced Aug 15, 2019, for Oct 3, 2018 episode).
Production suspended due to COVID-19
Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended studio production amid the coronavirus pandemic (March 16, 2020).
Show resumes from Kimmel's home
Two weeks after suspension, the show resumed production from Kimmel's home (March 30, 2020).
Began hosting celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
In April 2020, Kimmel began hosting a celebrity version revival of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Episode length reduced to 30 minutes
During pandemic production changes, episodes were temporarily reduced to 30 minutes (April 13, 2020).
Kimmel takes hiatus; guest hosts fill in
Kimmel announced a hiatus starting June 18, 2020; a series of guest hosts led 30-minute episodes until his return after hosting the Emmys.
Return to studio taping without audience; 60-minute format resumes
Kimmel returned to taping at the Hollywood Masonic Temple without a studio audience and resumed the 60-minute format (Sept 21, 2020).
Voice role: The Boss Baby: Family Business
Kimmel lent his voice to the animated sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021).
Announcer and band personnel updates
Dicky Barrett left as announcer in 2022 (replaced by Lou Wilson); longtime band bassist Jimmy Earl retired (Rhonda Smith listed as bassist).
Jimmy Kimmel Live! continues long run (multi-season milestone)
By this point the show has run multiple decades and is ABC's longest-running late-night talk show (ongoing role for Kimmel).
Dicky Barrett announces departure as announcer (announced)
Longtime announcer Dicky Barrett left the program in 2022; comedian Lou Wilson later took over the announcer role.
Hosted the Academy Awards (returned as Oscars host)
Kimmel returned to host the Academy Awards again (2023 ceremony).
Hosted the Academy Awards (2024)
Kimmel hosted the Oscar ceremony again in 2024 (fourth time hosting the Academy Awards overall).
Jimmy Kimmel Live! notable counts (approx.)
As of recent updates the show has aired 23 seasons with thousands of episodes (Wikipedia cites ~3,588 episodes/seasons count at a recent snapshot).
Production suspended due to Southern California wildfires
On January 8, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended production due to regional wildfires affecting the El Capitan studio; resumed Jan 13, 2025.
Hinted this may be final contract (reported)
In Feb 2024 interview Kimmel hinted he might not renew his contract beyond 2026; public reporting on his possible final contract continued into 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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