Jimmy Kimmel

James Christian Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host and comedian. He is best known as the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which has aired on ABC since 2003. He holds the longest tenure of any current late-night television host in the United States, with a 23-season tenure second only to Johnny Carson. Kimmel has also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards three times (in 2012, 2016, and 2020) and the Academy Awards four times (in 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024).

Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in Mill Basin as the eldest of three children born to Joan and James John Kimmel. His mother is of Italian descent, and his paternal lineage includes German ancestors. When he was nine years old, his family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended Ed W. Clark High School. He later attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and Arizona State University, leaving without graduating. In 2013, he received an honorary degree from UNLV.

Kimmel began his broadcasting career in radio during high school, hosting an interview show on UNLV's station, KUNV. He landed his first paid radio position in 1989 as a morning drive co-host at KZOK-FM in Seattle. Over the following years, he worked at radio stations in Tampa, Palm Springs, Tucson, and Los Angeles, where he spent five years as "Jimmy The Sports Guy" on KROQ-FM's Kevin and Bean morning show.

Moving into television, Kimmel became the comedic co-host alongside Ben Stein on Comedy Central's game show Win Ben Stein's Money in 191997. In 1999, he co-hosted and co-produced Comedy Central's The Man Show. Under Jackhole Productions, Kimmel went on to produce shows such as Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, and The Andy Milonakis Show, as well as co-write and produce the film Windy City Heat.

In January 2003, Kimmel left The Man Show to launch Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC. His show has featured running gags, comedic feuds, and recurring appearances by family members and close associates, including his uncle Frank Potenza, cousin Sal Iacono, brother Jonathan, and bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. Beyond late-night television, Kimmel co-earned an Emmy Award for Best Game Show Host for Win Ben Stein's Money, and in 2018, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Throughout his career, Kimmel's broadcasts have occasionally drawn public criticism and led to official apologies regarding past comedy routines and on-air remarks. In September 2025, following comments made during an opening monologue regarding reactions to an assassination, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a week.