Career Timeline of Jimmy Kimmel: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Jimmy Kimmel built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jimmy Kimmel is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer best known as the host and executive producer of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003. He has also hosted major award shows including the Primetime Emmy Awards (three times) and the Academy Awards (four times), solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.
1989: First paying job in radio
In 1989, Jimmy Kimmel landed his first paying job as morning drive co-host of The Me and Him Show at KZOK-FM in Seattle, Washington alongside Kent Voss.
1990: Fired by KZOK
In 1990, Jimmy Kimmel and Kent Voss were fired by KZOK.
1996: Appears as "Jimmy the Fox Guy"
In Spring 1996, Jimmy Kimmel appeared as "Jimmy the Fox Guy" in promos on the Fox Network.
1997: Starts Win Ben Stein's Money
In 1997, Jimmy Kimmel began co-hosting the game show Win Ben Stein's Money on Comedy Central.
1999: Co-hosts The Man Show
In 1999, Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted The Man Show with Adam Carolla on Comedy Central.
2001: Leaves Win Ben Stein's Money
In 2001, Jimmy Kimmel left Win Ben Stein's Money.
January 2003: Leaves The Man Show to Host Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In January 2003, Jimmy Kimmel permanently left The Man Show to host his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC.
2003: Hosts American Music Awards
In 2003, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the American Music Awards on ABC.
2003: Uncle Frank appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In 2003, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle, Frank Potenza, began appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a regular.
2003: Host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In 2003, Kimmel became the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show.
2004: Show pulled from the air after controversial halftime joke
During the 2004 NBA Finals in Detroit, Jimmy Kimmel made a controversial joke on ABC's halftime show, leading to that night's Jimmy Kimmel Live! being pulled from the entire network.
2004: Jimmy Kimmel Live! stops airing live
In 2004, Jimmy Kimmel Live! stopped airing live due to censorship issues.
2004: Windy City Heat wins at Montreal Comedy Festival
In 2004, the feature film Windy City Heat, produced and co-written by Jimmy Kimmel, won the Comedia Award for Best Film at the Montreal Comedy Festival.
August 2006: Host of Set for Life
In August 2006, ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel would be the host of their new game show Set for Life.
April 6, 2007: Fills in for Larry King Live
On April 6, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel filled in for Larry King on Larry King Live, discussing paparazzi and reproaching Emily Gould.
July 8, 2007: Manages National League
On July 8, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel managed the National League in the 2007 Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game in San Francisco.
July 11, 2007: Hosts 2007 ESPY Awards
On July 11, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel, along with LeBron James, hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards.
July 15, 2007: 2007 ESPY Awards Air
On July 15, 2007, the 2007 ESPY Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and LeBron James, aired on ESPN.
July 20, 2007: Set for Life Debuts
On July 20, 2007, the game show Set for Life, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, debuted on ABC.
2007: Guest-hosts Live with Regis and Kelly
During the week of October 22–26, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel guest-hosted Live with Regis and Kelly, commuting daily between New York and Los Angeles and breaking the Guinness World Record for longest distance traveled in one work week.
July 20, 2008: Guest Performer with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
On July 20, 2008, Jimmy Kimmel was a guest performer at a concert in Costa Mesa, California, featuring The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, performing with the group on the song "The Impression That I Get".
2008: Hosts American Music Awards
In 2008, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the American Music Awards on ABC.
2009: Co-founded Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro
In 2009, Jimmy Kimmel co-founded the annual Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro, a New York City annual tradition, and co-hosted the eighth annual Los Angeles version.
January 14, 2010: Appears on "10 at 10" segment of The Jay Leno Show
On January 14, 2010, amid the Tonight Show conflict, Jimmy Kimmel appeared on The Jay Leno Show's "10 at 10" segment, deriding Leno and pleading for him to leave Conan O'Brien alone.
2016: Trump Jokes
In November 2022, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that soon after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, he told ABC executives, that if he could not tell Trump jokes, then he would leave the show.
June 2018: Blobfish Basketball Classic
In June 2018, Jimmy Kimmel played a one-on-one basketball game against Senator Ted Cruz, resulting in over $80,000 raised for charities.
November 2018: Launches Kimmelot
In November 2018, Jimmy Kimmel launched his second production company, Kimmelot.
2018: Fundraising for Jacky Rosen
In 2018, Jimmy Kimmel fundraised for Nevada U.S. Senate candidate (and eventual Senator) Jacky Rosen.
July 2019: Releases The Serious Goose
In July 2019, Jimmy Kimmel released his first book, The Serious Goose, a children's picture book featuring his own illustrations.
April 8, 2020: Celebrity Millionaire Premieres
On April 8, 2020, the celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted and co-executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel, premiered on ABC.
2021: Title sponsor of the LA Bowl
In 2021, Jimmy Kimmel became the title sponsor of the LA Bowl.
November 2022: Reveals potential departure over Trump jokes
In November 2022, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he told ABC executives he would leave the show if he couldn't tell jokes about Donald Trump.
2022: Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl launch
In 2022, a college football bowl game was to be played annually in Los Angeles at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium, officially known as the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
August 30, 2023: Starts Strike Force Five Podcast
On August 30, 2023, Jimmy Kimmel began hosting the comedy podcast Strike Force Five with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver to support their staff members during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
