Biography
James Christian Kimmel is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer, and actor. He is best known for hosting the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC since 2003.
His journey from a radio personality in Seattle to the host of one of America's most iconic late-night shows is a story of persistence, sharp wit, and the ability to turn provocation into art. Starting his career on the radio, he navigated through the controversial success of The Man Show and eventually built his own talk show that became not just entertainment but a powerful political platform. His candid monologues, often critical of Donald Trump's administration, made him a target but also earned him critical acclaim and prestigious awards, including a Peabody. Behind the scenes, he remains a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and someone who isn't afraid to use his influence to defend the values he believes in.
James Kimmel said: «We’re going to give men what they really want to see on TV. Monkeys, midgets, beer drinking and women jumping on trampolines.»
James Kimmel
Early Life and Education
James Christian Kimmel was born on November 13, 1967, in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He is the eldest of three children of Joan (née Iacono) and James John Kimmel. His mother was a homemaker, and his father worked for American Express and later became an executive at IBM. Kimmel's paternal grandfather, also named James, worked as a garbage truck driver.
When Jimmy was nine years old, in 1976, his family moved from New York to Las Vegas, Nevada. He was raised in the Catholic tradition and even served as an altar boy.
Education
In Las Vegas, Kimmel attended Ed W. Clark High School, graduating in 1985. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he studied for one year. When his family moved to Arizona, he transferred to Arizona State University, where he spent two years. Kimmel never earned a bachelor's degree, dropping out to pursue a career in radio. In 2013, UNLV awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Early Career
Kimmel's career began in radio. His first job was as a morning radio host for "The Me and Him Show" in Seattle in 1989. He later worked for KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, contributing to "The Kevin & Bean Show."
In the 1990s, he started appearing on television. He hosted the game show Win Ben Stein's Money, which earned him his first Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. However, his big break came when he and Adam Carolla began hosting The Man Show on Comedy Central (1999–2003). The male-oriented program was full of crude humor and gained a reputation for controversy. He also produced the puppet series Crank Yankers.
James Kimmel said: «Watching someone on TV talking on a phone isn’t that entertaining, and obviously we couldn’t send a camera crew around to the people getting the calls, so it was limited to either animation or puppets.»
Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Rise to Fame
In 2003, Kimmel moved to ABC and launched his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Initially receiving mixed reviews, the show gradually became one of the top late-night programs in the United States.
Kimmel's show distinguished itself with its format—he often went live after major events, including the Oscars. He has hosted the Academy Awards four times (2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024) and the Emmy Awards three times (2012, 2016, and 2020).
Kimmel became particularly known for his political monologues. He emerged as one of the harshest critics of Donald Trump in American show business. In September 2025, ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel for six days after a joke about President Trump and commentators Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson. Despite this, the show continued and remained popular.
James Kimmel
Awards and Recognition
Over his career, Jimmy Kimmel has received numerous prestigious awards. Jimmy Kimmel Live! has won three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award in 2026. The jury noted that Kimmel's show "takes on the responsibility of comedy to reveal truth in times of political instability."
In 2026, he received the President's Award from the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG). That same year, his show won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Talk Show.
James Kimmel said: «At the Emmys, you’ve got a bunch of people who are used to being on TV on TV. You don’t have that at the Oscars. At the Oscars, you have people who are used to having 40 takes.»
Personal Life
Jimmy Kimmel has been married twice. From 1988 to 2003, he was married to Gina Maddy, his sweetheart from Arizona State University. They had two children: daughter Katie (born 1991) and son Kevin (born 1993).
In 2013, Kimmel married Molly McNearney, who is the head writer and executive producer of his show. They have two children: daughter Jane and son Billy.
Family Life
Kimmel is known as a devoted family man. He lives with his wife and children in a custom-built home in Hermosa Beach, California. In 2025, he became a grandfather when his eldest daughter Katie gave birth to her first child.
James Kimmel
Famous Friends and Acquaintances
Jimmy Kimmel's circle of friends includes many stars, but the most significant figure in his life was Cleto Escobedo III, his childhood friend and the longtime bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. They met when Kimmel was nine years old and lived across the street from each other in Las Vegas. Kimmel called them "inseparable" and insisted that Cleto become the bandleader when the show launched in 2003. Cleto passed away in November 2025 at the age of 59.
Among his other friends and colleagues are comedian Adam Carolla, as well as numerous Hollywood stars who regularly appear on his show. Kimmel is also close with Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, together forming the "big three" of American late-night hosts.
Interesting Facts
- In Kimmel's high school yearbook, the caption read: "Jimmy Kimmel: Most likely to wake up in Las Vegas with a tattoo."
- He started his career in radio, and his first job was in Seattle, hosting a show at 4 a.m.
- Kimmel is a passionate sports fan and a part-owner of a football team in Las Vegas.
- Despite his cynical comedian persona, he is known for his philanthropic work, particularly supporting children's hospitals.
- Kimmel was nominated for multiple Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host and won this award in 2026 for his political humor.
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Astrological profile CALCULATE
Date of Birth
13 November 1967
Age
58
years old
Flower horoscope
Peony
The flower talisman Peony reflects character through nature’s calendar — sensitivity, aesthetic sense, and seasonal rhythm shape daily choices.
| Zodiac Compatibility | % |
|---|---|
| Edelweiss | 96% |
| Freesia | 96% |
| Heather | 96% |
| Lotus | 92% |
| Dandelion | 92% |
| Gladiolus | 92% |
| Orchid | 92% |
| Lilac | 92% |
| Camellia | 92% |
| Peony | 88% |
| Carnation | 84% |
| Sunflower | 84% |
| Violet | 84% |
| Daisy | 84% |
| Chamomile | 84% |
| Rose | 80% |
| Tulip | 80% |
| Aster | 76% |
| Delphinium | 76% |
| Wild rose | 76% |
| Water lily | 76% |
| Bellflower | 76% |
| Dahlia | 64% |
| Magnolia | 64% |
| Poppy | 64% |
| Belladonna | 64% |
| Lily of the valley | 60% |
| Lily | 60% |
| Immortelle | 60% |
| Purslane | 56% |
| Hydrangea | 56% |
| Foxglove | 56% |
| Mimosa | 56% |
| Mistletoe | 56% |
| Thistle | 44% |
| Gentian | 36% |
Decan horoscope
Scorpio — 3rd decan
Born in the Scorpio — 3rd decan period, people often show a sharper flavor of their sign: faster or slower, bolder or more reflective, yet always recognizable by birth date.
| Zodiac Compatibility | % |
|---|---|
| Sagittarius — 2nd decan | 96% |
| Sagittarius — 1st decan | 96% |
| Scorpio — 2nd decan | 96% |
| Libra — 3rd decan | 96% |
| Capricorn — 2nd decan | 92% |
| Capricorn — 1st decan | 92% |
| Sagittarius — 3rd decan | 92% |
| Scorpio — 1st decan | 92% |
| Libra — 2nd decan | 92% |
| Libra — 1st decan | 92% |
| Scorpio — 3rd decan | 88% |
| Pisces — 3rd decan | 84% |
| Pisces — 2nd decan | 84% |
| Aquarius — 1st decan | 84% |
| Capricorn — 3rd decan | 84% |
| Virgo — 3rd decan | 84% |
| Virgo — 1st decan | 84% |
| Leo — 1st decan | 84% |
| Cancer — 2nd decan | 84% |
| Gemini — 2nd decan | 84% |
| Pisces — 1st decan | 80% |
| Leo — 2nd decan | 80% |
| Gemini — 3rd decan | 80% |
| Aquarius — 3rd decan | 76% |
| Aquarius — 2nd decan | 76% |
| Virgo — 2nd decan | 76% |
| Leo — 3rd decan | 76% |
| Cancer — 3rd decan | 76% |
| Cancer — 1st decan | 76% |
| Gemini — 1st decan | 76% |
| Taurus — 3rd decan | 64% |
| Aries — 3rd decan | 64% |
| Aries — 1st decan | 64% |
| Taurus — 1st decan | 60% |
| Taurus — 2nd decan | 56% |
| Aries — 2nd decan | 56% |
This day is celebrated: Kindness Day
Horoscope Scorpio: horoscope for today, horoscope for tomorrow, horoscope for week, horoscope for month, horoscope for year, 天蝎座 星座运势, tử vi thiên yết, ดูดวง พิจิก
Days left until next birthday: 31 Days.
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