Jimmy Kimmel is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer, best known as the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which he has led since 2003.
Born on November 13, 1967, he gained prominence for his satirical takes on politics and culture.
Recently, Kimmel expressed deep emotion during his monologue following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, calling it a “terrible night” for many Americans, including women, immigrants, and democracy itself.
He humorously remarked that it was also a bad night for Trump’s supporters who may not realize the implications yet.
Siblings
Jimmy has two siblings, a brother named Jonathan Kimmel and a sister named Jill Kimmel.
Both siblings have been involved in the entertainment industry, with Jonathan working as a director on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Jill being a comedian.
Jimmy is the eldest of three children in his family, which includes his parents, Joan and James Kimmel.
Career
Kimmel began his career in radio during the 1990s, working at several stations, including KROQ-FM in Los Angeles.
This early experience allowed him to hone his comedic style and develop a following.
His breakthrough in television came with the game show Win Ben Stein’s Money, which he co-created and hosted alongside Ben Stein.
The show premiered in 1997 and was a critical success, earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show.
Kimmel’s rise to fame continued with the co-creation of The Man Show, which aired from 1999 to 2004.
This late-night comedy series featured a mix of sketches, interviews, and segments aimed at a male audience, gaining a cult following and establishing Kimmel as a recognizable figure in television.
He also co-created Crank Yankers, a puppet-based prank call show that aired from 2002 to 2005 and was known for its irreverent humor and celebrity voices.
In 2003, Kimmel launched his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC.
The show quickly became known for its blend of celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and musical performances.
Kimmel’s signature segments, such as Mean Tweets, where celebrities read unflattering tweets about themselves, and Lie Witness News, where his team asks people about fake news stories, contributed to the show’s popularity.
Over the years, Kimmel has hosted major events like the Oscars multiple times (in 2017, 2018, and 2020), bringing his comedic style to one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.
Awards and accolades
Kimmel has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, reflecting his significant impact on television and comedy.
He has won three Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated for a total of 23 Emmys, including recent nominations for Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 2024.
Kimmel also won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for hosting the Oscars in 2024 and has previously won for similar categories in past years.
In addition to his Emmy wins, Kimmel has received recognition from various organizations.
He was awarded a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1999 for his role on Win Ben Stein’s Money.
He has been nominated for multiple People’s Choice Awards as Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host over the years.
Kimmel also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, acknowledging his contributions to television.
His work extends beyond hosting, as he has produced several successful shows, including Crank Yankers and The Man Show, further solidifying his status in the entertainment industry.
