Jimmy Kimmel has become one of the most recognizable names in late-night television. From his early days in radio to becoming the face of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, he has carved out a career that blends sharp wit, heartfelt storytelling, and pop culture influence. As of 2025, Kimmel’s net worth stands at $50 million, a reflection of his decades of work across radio, cable television, network broadcasting, and Hollywood events.
Early Life and Education
Born James Christian Kimmel on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, Jimmy is now 57 years old. He is the eldest of three children in a Catholic family and grew up in Mill Basin before moving with his family to Las Vegas at the age of nine. Kimmel attended Ed W. Clark High School and briefly studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Arizona State University, though he left before completing a degree. Years later, UNLV awarded him an honorary degree in recognition of his accomplishments in entertainment.
From Radio to Comedy Central
Kimmel began his broadcasting journey in high school, inspired by David Letterman’s start in radio. His first notable gig was co-hosting “The Me and Him Show” on KZOK-FM in Seattle, where elaborate on-air stunts led to his firing. Determined to continue, he launched a show in Palm Springs with Carson Daly as his intern. Eventually, he joined Los Angeles station KROQ-FM as “Jimmy the Sports Guy” on the popular Kevin and Bean morning show.
By 1997, Kimmel broke into television with Comedy Central’s game show Win Ben Stein’s Money. Acting as the comic counterpart to Ben Stein, Kimmel won an Emmy Award for his performance. His next big step came in 1999, when he co-created The Man Show with Adam Carolla. Though controversial, it became a cultural hit and gave Kimmel a reputation for brash, boundary-pushing humor. The pair later launched Crank Yankers, a prank call-based puppet show, with Kimmel also voicing multiple characters.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In 2003, Kimmel left The Man Show to pursue his dream project, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC. At first, the show struggled to compete with established late-night hosts, but over time, Kimmel developed a distinctive voice. His interviews blended mischief with sincerity, his comedy sketches went viral, and his willingness to discuss personal matters—such as his son’s health struggles—gave the show emotional depth.
Recurring segments like Celebrities Read Mean Tweets, Lie Witness News, and his tongue-in-cheek “feud” with actor Matt Damon became cultural staples. Though rarely broadcast live despite its name, the show captured an unpredictable, unscripted energy that made it a fixture in American television. Today, Kimmel earns $15 million annually from hosting duties, solidifying his role as one of the highest-paid figures in late-night entertainment.
Hosting the Biggest Nights in Hollywood
Kimmel’s wit and self-deprecating style have made him one of Hollywood’s go-to hosts for award shows. He has emceed the Academy Awards four times—2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024. He became particularly well-known for handling the chaotic “La La Land/Moonlight” mix-up at the 2017 Oscars with humor and calmness. He has also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards twice and the American Music Awards for five years in a row.
Kimmel’s contributions to entertainment were further recognized in 2013 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard.
Other Ventures and Creative Projects
Beyond late night, Kimmel has branched out into various projects. He has hosted Comedy Central roasts, voice-acted in animated series like Robot Chicken, and co-authored comedic skits for different platforms. In 2019, he published a children’s book titled The Serious Goose. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he hosted a special series of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on ABC.
In August 2023, he launched Strike Force Five, a comedy podcast with fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver. The collaboration gained significant attention, showing Kimmel’s ability to adapt to new media while staying relevant in an evolving entertainment industry.
Personal Life and Family
Kimmel’s personal life has been just as eventful as his career. He was first married to Gina Maddy from 1988 to 2002, with whom he has two children, Katherine and Kevin. He later dated comedian Sarah Silverman from 2002 until 2009. In 2013, he married Molly McNearney, a co-head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Together, they share two children, Jane and William John. Their son William was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent surgery at just three days old—a story Kimmel openly shared with his audience, sparking national conversations about healthcare.
Family ties often play into his work. His cousin Sal Iacono became a recurring personality on his show, while his uncle Frank Potenza was a beloved regular guest until his passing in 2011. In a surprising twist, a 2020 episode of Finding Your Roots revealed that Jimmy is a distant cousin of lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart.
Real Estate and Investments
Like many in Hollywood, Kimmel has invested heavily in real estate. In 2004, he purchased a beachfront property in Hermosa Beach, California, for $2.175 million. Over the years, he bought two more homes in the same neighborhood, including an $8.2 million purchase in 2018. He also owns a $7.1 million Hollywood Hills compound, located near the iconic Chateau Marmont.
These investments, combined with his lucrative television contracts and side ventures, contribute significantly to his $50 million net worth.
Legacy and Net Worth
Jimmy Kimmel’s journey from a radio prankster to one of television’s most trusted and versatile hosts demonstrates resilience and reinvention. Today, with a net worth of $50 million at age 57, he remains a central figure in American comedy and late-night television. His mix of irreverence, sincerity, and adaptability ensures his influence will endure long after his late-night career concludes.
