Jimmy Kimmel
Overview
James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host and comedian
. He is the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show
that airs on ABC
. Prior to that, Kimmel was best known as the co-host of Comedy Central
's The Man Show
and Win Ben Stein's Money
. Kimmel is also a television producer
, having produced shows such as Crank Yankers
, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald
, and The Andy Milonakis Show
.
Kimmel was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of the New York City
borough of Brooklyn
, the eldest of three children of Joann (née Iacono), a homemaker, and James Kimmel, an IBM
executive.
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. He is the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show
Late-night talk show
In American television, the late-night talk show is a specific kind of comedy-oriented talk and variety show that airs late at night. Characteristics of the genre include topical monologues in which the host makes fun of the day's news, comedy sketches, celebrity interviews, and musical performances...
that airs on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. Prior to that, Kimmel was best known as the co-host of Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's The Man Show
The Man Show
The Man Show is an American comedy television show on Comedy Central. It was created in 1999 by its two original co-hosts, Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, and their executive producer Daniel Kellison.-Format:...
and Win Ben Stein's Money
Win Ben Stein's Money
Win Ben Stein's Money is an American television game show that ran from July 28, 1997 to January 31, 2003 on the Comedy Central cable network with episodes airing until May 8, 2003. It featured three contestants who competed in a general knowledge quiz contest to win the grand prize of $5,000 from...
. Kimmel is also a television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, having produced shows such as Crank Yankers
Crank Yankers
Crank Yankers is an American TV show produced by Adam Carolla, Jimmy Kimmel and Daniel Kellison that featured actual prank calls made by show regulars and celebrity guests, and re-enacted onscreen by puppets for a visual aid to show the viewer what is happening in the call...
, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald
Sports Show with Norm Macdonald
Sports Show with Norm MacDonald was a sports comedy series which aired on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on Comedy Central from April 12, 2011 to June 7, 2011. The show lampoons the world of sports using Web videos and field segments. The show is hosted by comedian and former Saturday Night Live...
, and The Andy Milonakis Show
The Andy Milonakis Show
The Andy Milonakis Show is an American sketch comedy television show starring Andy Milonakis, which aired on MTV2, the first season having aired on MTV...
.
Kimmel was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, the eldest of three children of Joann (née Iacono), a homemaker, and James Kimmel, an IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
executive.
Quotations
I'm not seen as classy enough to host the Oscars.
Chris Ayres (March 6, 2008) The Times|The Times, "Sex, lies and YouTube - Interview", p. 24.
Though it makes me sick to do so without my writers, there are more than a hundred people whose financial well-being depends on our show. It is time to go back to work.
On returning back to work at Jimmy Kimmel Live! during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike — reported in San Mateo County Times staff (December 19, 2007) "Here is your pregnant Spears", San Mateo County Times|San Mateo County Times.
There's something comforting and pleasurable about watching people win money.
On hosting the television game show Set for Life|Set for Life — reported in Gary Levin (January 11, 2007) "TV is riding a wave of prime-time game shows", Asbury Park Press|Asbury Park Press.
I don't believe that lack of intelligence and appreciation for lowbrow comedy go hand-in-hand necessarily.
Associated Press (January 28, 2003) "Jimmy Kimmel is living it up", The Grand Rapids Press|The Grand Rapids Press, p. B5.
I'm excited, but I am also realistic. I have seen what happened to the people who came before me and failed. It's an unforgiving arena to be in.
On the beginning of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — reported in Terry Morrow (January 24, 2003) "Kimmel & family head to ABC (beer's on hold)", The Knoxville News-Sentinel|The Knoxville News-Sentinel, p. 9.
We use puppets because they can get away with more.
On the concept of the program Crank Yankers|Crank Yankers — reported in Walt Belcher (May 31, 2002) "From The Remote Bergs To The Well-Heeled Burbs, Singles Seek Love", The Tampa Tribune|The Tampa Tribune, p. 4.