Jimmy Kimmel Did Not Buy Nude Bea Arthur Portrait

Jimmy Kimmel is a notorious prankster, but it turns out his biggest one yet was only an accident.
Contrary to reports, it turns out the comedian was only joking about purchasing the nearly $2 million nude Bea Arthur portrait. On Friday, comedian Jeffrey Ross tweeted that the late night host had given him the painting, which sold on May 15 for $1.9 million to an anonymous buyer in New York City. "Biggest surprise of my life. Thank you @jimmykimmel — the most generous guy in the world!" Ross wrote. "Bea is watching over all of us, but especially you," Kimmel responded.

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Later that evening, Kimmel debunked reports that he had actually purchased the portrait, tweeting: "Contrary to 'news' reports, I didn't buy the Bea Arthur painting — not even for @realjeffreyross — but I did buy the Mona Lisa Lampanelli"

A rep for Kimmel told The Hollywood Reporterthat the painting Ross was photographed with was only a prop from Jimmy Kimmel Live!