History of Jimmy Fallon in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon is a multifaceted American entertainer, recognized as a comedian, television host, actor, singer, writer, and producer. He is primarily known for his successful career in television, where he has hosted and appeared in numerous shows, showcasing his comedic talents and musical abilities.

September 19, 1974: James Thomas Fallon Born

On September 19, 1974, James Thomas Fallon was born. He is known as an American comedian, television host, actor, singer, writer, and producer.

1982: Reference to Eddie Murphy's 48 Hrs.

In 2004, Jimmy Fallon was attracted to the film Taxi's action comedy tone, seeing comparisons with SNL alumnus Eddie Murphy's first big film, 48 Hrs. from 1982.

Loading Video...

1992: Graduates High School

In 1992, Jimmy Fallon graduated from Saugerties High School, where he was a performer in stage productions and a class social director.

1995: Moves to Los Angeles

In 1995, Jimmy Fallon dropped out of college to move to Los Angeles and pursue comedy full-time.

1997: Appears in The Scheme, Role in Father's Day Cut

In 1997, Jimmy Fallon appeared in the feature film The Scheme, originally titled The Entrepreneurs. His line in the film Father's Day was cut, but he can be seen in the background.

Loading Video...

1997: Auditions for Saturday Night Live

In 1997, after working with the Groundlings for two years, Jimmy Fallon auditioned for Saturday Night Live but was unsuccessful. He made sure to include a clause in his contract for The WB pilot presentation, allowing him to join SNL if offered.

Loading Video...

September 1998: Debut on Saturday Night Live

In September 1998, Jimmy Fallon debuted on Saturday Night Live as a featured player at the beginning of the show's twenty-fourth season.

Loading Video...

1998: Appears on Spin City

In 1998, Jimmy Fallon appeared briefly on the show Spin City in the second season as a man selling photographs.

Loading Video...

1998: Joins Saturday Night Live

In 1998, Jimmy Fallon joined the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live as a cast member, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Loading Video...

1999: Releases "I Hate This Place: A Pessimist's Guide to Life"

In 1999, Jimmy Fallon released a book titled I Hate This Place: A Pessimist's Guide to Life, which was comprised of e-mail exchanges with his sister Gloria.

2000: Appears in Blackface on SNL

In 2000, Jimmy Fallon appeared in blackface in an episode of Saturday Night Live, impersonating Chris Rock. This sparked controversy years later.

Loading Video...

2000: Plays a Minor Role in Almost Famous

In 2000, Jimmy Fallon played a minor role in the film Almost Famous.

Loading Video...

December 2001: Favorite SNL Sketch

In December 2001, Jimmy Fallon considered a sketch where he imitates Mick Jagger in a mirror opposite Jagger as his favorite thing he had done up to that point on SNL.

2001: Co-Hosts MTV Movie Awards

In 2001, Jimmy Fallon co-hosted the MTV Movie Awards.

2002: Co-Hosts MTV Video Music Awards, Releases "The Bathroom Wall", Models for Calvin Klein, Named One of People's Most Beautiful People

In 2002, Jimmy Fallon co-hosted the MTV Video Music Awards. He also released his debut comedy album, The Bathroom Wall, modeled for Calvin Klein, and was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

2003: Shoots Taxi and Returns to SNL

In the fall of 2003, Jimmy Fallon split his time between shooting the film Taxi in Los Angeles and returning to New York City for Saturday Night Live.

Loading Video...

May 2004: Leaves SNL at the End of Season 29

In May 2004, Jimmy Fallon signed off at the conclusion of Saturday Night Live's twenty-ninth season, marking the end of his sixth season on the show.

Loading Video...

2004: Pursues Film Career, Stars in Taxi

In 2004, Jimmy Fallon began to pursue a film career. He signed on for his first lead role in Taxi, a remake of a French film.

Loading Video...

2004: Leaves Saturday Night Live, Stars in Taxi

In 2004, Jimmy Fallon left Saturday Night Live to pursue a film career, starring in movies such as Taxi.

Loading Video...

2004: Taxi Premieres

In the fall of 2004, Taxi premiered but was a flop with critics and audiences, marking Jimmy Fallon's first failure.

Loading Video...

2005: Stars in Fever Pitch

In 2005, Jimmy Fallon starred in the film Fever Pitch.

Loading Video...

February 2007: NBC Gives Fallon Holding Deal

In February 2007, NBC gave Jimmy Fallon a holding deal, as urged by Lorne Michaels, so that he could not be lured elsewhere for the Late Night franchise.

August 2007: Engagement to Nancy Juvonen

In August 2007, Jimmy Fallon proposed to Nancy Juvonen with a bespoke engagement ring.

December 2007: Marries Nancy Juvonen

In December 2007, Jimmy Fallon married producer Nancy Juvonen, whom he met during the production of the film Fever Pitch.

Loading Video...

December 22, 2007: Marriage to Nancy Juvonen

On December 22, 2007, Jimmy Fallon married film producer Nancy Juvonen.

May 2008: Announced as Successor to O'Brien's Late Night

In May 2008, Jimmy Fallon was announced as the successor to Conan O'Brien's Late Night.

March 2009: Premiere of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

In March 2009, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon premiered to mixed reviews. The show's style solidified when it used Susan Boyle as a joke.

Loading Video...

May 2009: Receives Bachelor of Arts and Honorary Doctorate

In May 2009, Jimmy Fallon received a Bachelor of Arts in communications and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from The College of Saint Rose.

2009: Hosts Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

In 2009, Jimmy Fallon returned to television as the host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC. He was noted for a focus on music and video games.

Loading Video...

2009: Monty Python Documentary Appearance

In 2009, Jimmy Fallon spoke about the influence of Monty Python on him when he appeared in the television documentary, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut).

Loading Video...

2010: Hosts 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards

In 2010, Jimmy Fallon hosted the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.

2010: Show Finds Footing and First Viral Clip

In 2010, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon found its footing during The Tonight Show debacle. The show embraced social media and the Internet, and online interaction became crucial to its success. The show also scored its first viral clip: Fallon and Timberlake performing a "History of Rap".

2011: NPR Interview on Religious Beliefs

In a 2011 interview with NPR, Jimmy Fallon discussed his fondness for the Latin Mass and his religious upbringing, while stating he was no longer a regular churchgoer.

2012: Releases "Blow Your Pants Off"

In 2012, Jimmy Fallon released his second comedy album, Blow Your Pants Off, which compiles many of his musical performances on Late Night.

April 3, 2013: Announced as Successor to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show

On April 3, 2013, NBC announced that Jimmy Fallon would succeed Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show following the 2014 Winter Olympics. Fallon and Leno sang a parody of the song "Tonight" about The Tonight Show together.

Loading Video...

August 2013: Earning $11 Million a Year

As of August 2013, Jimmy Fallon was earning a salary of $11 million a year for his work on Late Night.

2013: Birth of First Daughter

In 2013, Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen's first daughter was born via surrogate.

2013: "Blow Your Pants Off" Wins Grammy

In 2013, Jimmy Fallon's album, Blow Your Pants Off, won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album. Discussions for Fallon to take over The Tonight Show began in early 2013.

February 17, 2014: The Tonight Show Debut

On February 17, 2014, Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show debut on NBC engaged 11.3 million viewers.

2014: Birth of Second Daughter

In 2014, Jimmy Fallon and Nancy Juvonen's second daughter was born via surrogate.

2014: Becomes Host of The Tonight Show

In 2014, Jimmy Fallon left Late Night to become the sixth permanent host of The Tonight Show.

Loading Video...

June 2015: Releases "Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada"

In June 2015, Jimmy Fallon's third book, Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada, a children's book, was released.

June 26, 2015: Ring Avulsion Injury

On June 26, 2015, Jimmy Fallon suffered a ring avulsion injury at home, requiring microsurgery and a 10-day ICU stay.

September 2015: Billboard Interview on Finger Injury

In September 2015, Jimmy Fallon discussed his finger injury and limited mobility in an interview with Billboard magazine, noting that further surgery would be required.

September 20, 2015: Appearance at Emmy Awards Without Bandage

On September 20, 2015, Jimmy Fallon appeared at the 67th Emmy Awards without his finger bandaged for the first time since his ring avulsion injury.

September 15, 2016: Hosts Donald Trump on The Tonight Show

On September 15, 2016, Jimmy Fallon hosted Donald Trump on The Tonight Show. He received criticism for his uncontroversial questions.

Loading Video...

March 2017: Apologizes for Trump Interview

In March 2017, Jimmy Fallon apologized for the interview with Donald Trump, stating he didn't intend to humanize or minimize him and was just trying to have fun.

November 4, 2017: Death of Gloria Fallon

On November 4, 2017, Jimmy Fallon's mother, Gloria, passed away at the age of 68, leading to the cancellation of The Tonight Show tapings for the following week.

June 2018: Further Apology for Trump Interview

In June 2018, Jimmy Fallon again apologized for the interview with Donald Trump on a podcast with The Hollywood Reporter, stating he "made a mistake" and did not do it to "normalize" Trump.

2020: Creates Limited-Edition Pacifiers with WubbaNub

In 2020, Jimmy Fallon and pacifier company WubbaNub created limited-edition pacifiers based on the penguin and cow characters from his children's books.

November 2021: Likely Purchased an NFT

In November 2021, it was deduced that Jimmy Fallon most likely purchased an NFT for about $216,000.

November 29, 2021: That's My Jam Debut

On November 29, 2021, Jimmy Fallon debuted a new musical game show on NBC called That's My Jam, featuring games similar to those on The Tonight Show.

Loading Video...

January 4, 2022: Tests Positive for COVID-19

On January 4, 2022, Jimmy Fallon announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 over the holiday season, crediting the COVID-19 vaccine for his mild symptoms.

January 2022: Criticized for Discussing NFTs on The Tonight Show

In January 2022, Jimmy Fallon was criticized for discussing and promoting NFTs on The Tonight Show during an interview with Paris Hilton, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. It was discovered that Fallon had purchased his NFT in November 2021.

Loading Video...

November 16, 2022: Twitter Hoax #RIPJimmyFallon

On November 16, 2022, a Twitter hoax spread with the hashtag #RIPJimmyFallon, which started trending nationwide. Fallon joked about it on his show the following day.

2022: That's My Jam Renewed for Second Season

In 2022, That's My Jam was renewed for a second season, showcasing its popularity.

Loading Video...

August 30, 2023: Hosting Strike Force Five Podcast

On August 30, 2023, Jimmy Fallon began co-hosting the comedy podcast Strike Force Five with fellow late-night hosts to support staff members affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

September 2023: Fallon's 'Tonight Show' Workplace Culture Controversy

In September 2023, Rolling Stone published an article titled "Chaos, Comedy, and 'Crying Rooms': Inside Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show'" detailing allegations of a toxic workplace culture at The Tonight Show under Jimmy Fallon, leading to an apology from Fallon to his staff.

2023: That's My Jam Renewed for Third Season

In 2023, That's My Jam was renewed for a third season, marking another milestone for the show.

Loading Video...

September 30, 2025: On Brand Reality Show Debut

On September 30, 2025, Jimmy Fallon and cohost Bozoma Saint John debuted On Brand, a new NBC reality show where contestants create advertising campaigns for brands such as Pillsbury and Southwest Airlines.

Loading Video...