History of Jimmy Kimmel in Timeline
Jimmy Kimmel is an American television host, comedian, writer, voice actor, and producer best known for hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003. He has also hosted several high-profile events, including the Primetime Emmy Awards three times and the Academy Awards four times. Kimmel's career spans various aspects of entertainment, solidifying his presence as a prominent figure in the industry.
November 13, 1967: Birth of Jimmy Kimmel
On November 13, 1967, James Christian Kimmel, later known as Jimmy Kimmel, was born. He is an American television host, comedian, writer, voice actor, and producer.
1985: "We Are the World" spoofed
In February 2008, Jimmy Kimmel released a mock music video called "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck" that spoofed the 1985 "We Are the World" video.
1989: First Paying Radio Job
In 1989, Jimmy Kimmel landed his first paying job alongside Kent Voss as morning drive co-host of The Me and Him Show at KZOK-FM in Seattle, Washington.
1991: Birth of Daughter Katherine
In 1991, Kimmel's daughter Katherine was born.
1996: Jimmy the Fox Guy
In the spring of 1996, Jimmy Kimmel appeared as "Jimmy the Fox Guy" in promos on the Fox Network.
1997: Win Ben Stein's Money Debut
In 1997, Jimmy Kimmel began co-hosting the game show "Win Ben Stein's Money" on Comedy Central alongside Ben Stein. His wit was a counterpoint to Stein's demeanor, and they won an Emmy.
1999: Co-hosted The Man Show
In 1999, Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted "The Man Show" with Adam Carolla on Comedy Central, while still working on "Win Ben Stein's Money". He also co-produced the show.
2001: Left Win Ben Stein's Money
In 2001, Jimmy Kimmel left "Win Ben Stein's Money".
January 2003: Left The Man Show
In January 2003, Jimmy Kimmel permanently left "The Man Show" to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC.
2003: Uncle Frank on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
From 2003, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle, Frank Potenza ("Uncle Frank"), appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a regular.
2003: Hosted American Music Awards
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the American Music Awards on ABC in 2003.
2004: Controversial Halftime Show Appearance
During the 2004 NBA Finals in Detroit, Jimmy Kimmel made a controversial on-air plug for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" during ABC's halftime show, suggesting Detroit would burn down if the Pistons won. This led to his show being pulled from Detroit's ABC affiliate and the entire network, followed by an apology from Kimmel.
2004: Jimmy Kimmel Live! No Longer Aired Live
In 2004, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" stopped airing live due to censorship issues after a curse word from Thomas Jane could not be properly bleeped.
2004: Windy City Heat Won an Award
In 2004, the feature film "Windy City Heat," which Jimmy Kimmel produced and co-wrote, won the Comedia Award for Best Film at the Montreal Comedy Festival.
August 2006: Announced as 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: Filled in for Larry King on Larry King Live
On April 6, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel filled in for Larry King on "Larry King Live" and reproached Emily Gould for Gawker.com's alleged stalking of celebrities.
April 2007: Named Biggest Badass on TV
In April 2007, Stuffmagazine.com named Jimmy Kimmel the "biggest badass on TV."
July 8, 2007: Managed National League in Softball Game
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: Hosted 2007 ESPY Awards
On July 11, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel, along with LeBron James, hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards.
July 15, 2007: 2007 ESPY Awards Aired
On July 15, 2007, the 2007 ESPY Awards, which Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted with LeBron James, aired on ESPN.
July 20, 2007: Set for Life Debuted
On July 20, 2007, Jimmy Kimmel's hosted game show "Set for Life" debuted on ABC.
2007: Guinness World Record for Distance Traveled in a Work Week
In 2007, Jimmy Kimmel guest-hosted "Live with Regis and Kelly" for a week, commuting between New York and Los Angeles daily. He broke the Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled in one work week, covering 22,406 miles (36,059 km).
February 2008: "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck" Mock Music Video
In February 2008, Jimmy Kimmel released a mock music video called "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck", as "revenge" after his then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon recorded a similar video titled "I'm Fucking Matt Damon". It featured numerous celebrities in scenes spoofing the 1985 "We Are the World" video.
July 20, 2008: Guest Performance with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
On July 20, 2008, Kimmel played the bass clarinet as a guest performer at a concert in Costa Mesa, California, with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, performing on the song "The Impression That I Get".
2008: Hosted American Music Awards
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the American Music Awards on ABC in 2008.
March 2009: End of Relationship with Sarah Silverman
In March 2009, Kimmel's relationship with comedian Sarah Silverman ended.
October 2009: Start of Relationship with Molly McNearney
In October 2009, Kimmel started dating Molly McNearney, a co-head writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live.
2009: Co-hosting Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro
In 2009, Kimmel co-hosted the eighth annual Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro, a New York City annual tradition, which he co-founded.
January 14, 2010: Appearance on The Jay Leno Show
On January 14, 2010, amid the 2010 "Tonight Show" host and time slot conflict, Jimmy Kimmel was the special guest of Jay Leno on "The Jay Leno Show's" "10 at 10" segment. Kimmel insulted Leno regarding the conflict.
2010: Most Recent Appearance on The Late Show
Jimmy Kimmel appeared on "The Late Show" five times, most recently in 2010.
2011: Death of Uncle Frank
In 2011, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle, Frank Potenza (Uncle Frank), who was a regular on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away.
August 2012: Engagement to Molly McNearney
In August 2012, Kimmel and Molly McNearney got engaged.
September 23, 2012: Hosted the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 23, 2012, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards.
2012: Hosted Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2012, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards for the first time.
July 2013: Marriage to Molly McNearney
In July 2013, Kimmel married Molly McNearney.
October 2013: "Kids Table" Controversy
In October 2013, a segment of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" called "Kids Table" featured children discussing the U.S. government shutdown and debts. A child's suggestion to "kill all the people in China" led to discussions, protests, and apologies from ABC and Kimmel due to the controversial nature of the statement.
July 2014: Birth of Daughter Jane
In July 2014, Kimmel's daughter Jane was born.
September 18, 2016: Hosted the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards
On September 18, 2016, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, pointing out Mark Burnett's role in the rise of Donald Trump.
2016: Hosted Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2016, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards for the second time.
2016: Post-Election Trump Jokes
In November 2022, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that soon after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, he told ABC executives he would leave the show if he couldn't tell jokes about Trump. He estimated he lost about half his audience because of the jokes.
February 26, 2017: Hosted 89th Academy Awards
On February 26, 2017, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 89th edition of the Academy Awards ceremony.
April 21, 2017: Birth of Son William "Billy" John
On April 21, 2017, Kimmel's second child, William "Billy" John, was born with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.
2017: Hosted Academy Awards
In 2017, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards for the first time.
March 4, 2018: Hosted 90th Academy Awards
On March 4, 2018, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 90th edition of the Academy Awards ceremony.
June 2018: Blobfish Basketball Classic
In June 2018, Jimmy Kimmel was challenged to a basketball game by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz after Kimmel compared Cruz to a blobfish. Cruz defeated Kimmel 11-9, and over $80,000 was raised for charity.
November 2018: Launched Kimmelot
In November 2018, Jimmy Kimmel launched his second production company, Kimmelot.
2018: Hosted Academy Awards
In 2018, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards for the second time.
2018: Fundraising for Jacky Rosen
In 2018, Kimmel fundraised for Nevada U.S. Senate candidate Jacky Rosen.
2018: Named One of "The World's 100 Most Influential People"
In 2018, Time magazine named Jimmy Kimmel as one of "The World's 100 Most Influential People".
July 2019: Release of "The Serious Goose"
In July 2019, Kimmel released his first book, "The Serious Goose", an interactive children's picture book featuring his own illustrations that tasks readers with helping to make the serious goose smile.
April 8, 2020: Celebrity "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Premiere
On April 8, 2020, the celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted and co-executive produced by Kimmel, premiered on ABC for the show's 20th anniversary.
June 2020: Announcement to Host the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards
In June 2020, it was announced that Kimmel would host the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards in September.
September 20, 2020: Hosting the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards
In September 20, 2020, Kimmel hosted the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
2020: Hosted Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2020, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards for the third time.
2020: Discovery of Relationship with Martha Stewart
In 2020, Kimmel learned through a genealogy report on "Finding Your Roots" that he and Martha Stewart are cousins.
2021: Title Sponsor of the LA Bowl
In 2021, Kimmel became the title sponsor of the LA Bowl for that year.
November 2022: Revealed Potential Show Exit Over Trump Jokes
In November 2022, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he told ABC executives that he would leave the show if he couldn't tell jokes about Donald Trump after his election in 2016. He estimated he lost about half his audience because of the jokes.
2022: Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Established
In 2022, a college football bowl game was to be played annually in Inglewood's SoFi Stadium and became officially known as the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
March 12, 2023: Hosted 95th Academy Awards
On March 12, 2023, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 95th edition of the Academy Awards ceremony.
August 30, 2023: Hosting "Strike Force Five" Podcast
On August 30, 2023, Kimmel began hosting the comedy podcast "Strike Force Five" with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver to support their staff members out of work due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
2023: Hosted Academy Awards
In 2023, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards for the third time.
March 10, 2024: Hosted 96th Academy Awards
On March 10, 2024, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 96th edition of the Academy Awards ceremony.
2024: Hosted Academy Awards
In 2024, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Academy Awards for the fourth time.
May 2025: Becoming a Grandfather
In May 2025, Kimmel became a grandfather after his oldest daughter gave birth to a girl.
2025: Obtained Italian Citizenship
In 2025, Jimmy Kimmel obtained Italian citizenship.
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