Pudgy, surly and deliberately lowbrow, this native New Yorker honed his comic skills at radio stations across the country before becoming the cohost of the unconventional game show
Win Ben Stein's Money in 1997. During his tenure, Kimmel and his former radio cohort Adam Carolla created their own signature series,
The Man Show in 1999, which celebrated drinking beer, watching sports and ogling well-endowed women on trampolines. In 2003, Kimmel made the leap from cable to network TV, with his own eponymous late-late-night talk show. Although he looked slightly ridiculous in the customary suit jacket, his coarse humor remained intact. Off-screen, this divorced father of two is involved with hipster comedienne Sarah Silverman.
Jimmy Kimmel Fast Facts:
- Fired from morning radio shows in Seattle, Tampa, Tucson and Phoenix at the start of his career.
- Won a Daytime Emmy in 1999 for Outstanding Game Show Host for Win Ben Stein's Money.
- Runs his own production company, Jackhole Industries, with Daniel Kellison and Carolla.
- His idol is David Letterman.
- Was asked if he sees himself as "the modern-day Hugh Hefner" in a Comedy Central webchat promoting The Man Show. He replied, "Not really. His life is much better than mine. I'm more of a modern-day Hugh Downs."
- Jimmy Kimmel Relationships:
- Gina Kimmel - Ex-wife
- Jill Kimmel - Sister
- Jim Kimmel - Father
- Joan Kimmel - Mother
- Katherine Kimmel - Daughter
- Kevin Kimmel - Son
- Sal Iacono - Cousin
- Sarah Silverman - Ex-significant Other
- College:
- Attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV; attended Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
