Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel June 2022

Jimmy Kimmel

James Christian Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known as the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that premiered on ABC on January 26, 2003. Kimmel has also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards.

Early Life

Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in the neighborhood of Mill Basin. He is the eldest of three children. His mother, Joan (Iacono), is of Italian descent, and his father, James John Kimmel, is of German, Irish, and Welsh ancestry. The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when he was nine years old. Kimmel attended Ed W. Clark High School and later went to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Arizona State University (ASU), but did not graduate from either.

Career

Radio

Kimmel began his career in radio, working at several stations including KUNV in Las Vegas. He later became a popular morning radio show host at KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, where he was known as "Jimmy the Sports Guy" on the Kevin and Bean show.

Television

Kimmel's television career began as a co-host of the game show Win Ben Stein's Money on Comedy Central, for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award. He then co-hosted The Man Show with Adam Carolla, which also aired on Comedy Central.

In 2003, Kimmel was given his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC. The show has become one of the longest-running late-night talk shows in American television history. Kimmel is known for his comedic monologues, celebrity interviews, and various recurring segments such as "Mean Tweets" and "Lie Witness News."

Awards and Recognition

Kimmel has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He has been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and has won several Writers Guild of America Awards. In 2013, he was named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Personal Life

Kimmel has been married twice. His first marriage was to Gina Maddy from 1988 to 2002, with whom he has two children, Katie and Kevin. He married Molly McNearney, a co-head writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in 2013. They have two children together, Jane and William ("Billy").

Kimmel is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of healthcare and children's hospitals. He has been an advocate for affordable healthcare and has shared personal stories about his family's medical challenges to raise awareness.

See Also

• Late-night talk show
• Comedy Central
• ABC (American TV network)
• Primetime Emmy Awards
• Academy Awards