Jimmy Kimmel is one of the most popular and influential late-night talk show hosts in America. He is known for his witty and sarcastic humor, his political commentary, and his celebrity interviews. But what is his religion and background? Is Jimmy Kimmel Jewish, as some people assume, or is he something else? In this article, we will explore the facts and myths about Jimmy Kimmel’s faith and heritage.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Early Life and Family
Jimmy Kimmel was born on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, to James and Joan Kimmel. He is the eldest of three children, with a brother Jonathan and a sister Jill. His father worked as an executive at IBM and American Express, while his mother was a homemaker
Jimmy Kimmel grew up in a Catholic family and was an altar boy at his church. He attended Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic School in Brooklyn until he was nine years old, when his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he continued his Catholic education at St. Francis de Sales School and Bishop Gorman High School
Jimmy Kimmel developed a passion for comedy and radio from an early age. He was inspired by his idol David Letterman, whom he later succeeded as the host of the 11:35 pm time slot on ABC. He began hosting a show on a local college radio station while he was still in high school. He also briefly attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Arizona State University, but dropped out to pursue his career in radio and television
Jimmy Kimmel’s Career and Achievements
Jimmy Kimmel started his career as a radio host in various cities across the country, such as Seattle, Phoenix, Tucson, and Los Angeles. He gained fame as Jimmy the Sports Guy on The Kevin & Bean Show on KROQ-FM in LA, where he met his future co-host Adam Carolla. He also co-hosted the game show Win Ben Stein’s Money on Comedy Central from 1997 to 2002, for which he won an Emmy Award in 1999
Jimmy Kimmel made his breakthrough as the co-creator and co-host of The Man Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2003, along with Carolla. The show was a hit among young male audiences with its raunchy and irreverent humor. He also produced other shows such as Crank Yankers, The Andy Milonakis Show, and Sports Show with Norm Macdonald
Jimmy Kimmel launched his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC in 2003. The show features celebrity guests, comedy sketches, musical performances, and segments such as Mean Tweets, Lie Witness News, and Unnecessary Censorship. The show has been nominated for several Emmy Awards and has won two Critics’ Choice Television Awards for best talk show
Jimmy Kimmel has also hosted several major events such as the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and the Academy Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2023. He has also appeared in movies such as Road Trip, Ted 2, Pitch Perfect 2, The Boss Baby, and Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. He has also voiced characters in animated films such as Garfield: The Movie, The Smurfs 2, The Lego Batman Movie, and Ralph Breaks the Internet
Jimmy Kimmel has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. He has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013 and an honorary degree from UNLV in 2013. He has also been involved in various charitable causes such as AIDS research, autism awareness, children’s health care, gun control, and climate change
Is Jimmy Kimmel Jewish?
Despite his popularity and success, Jimmy Kimmel has often been mistaken for being Jewish by some people. This may be due to his last name sounding similar to Jewish surnames such as Kimel or Kemel. It may also be due to his association with Jewish celebrities such as Sarah Silverman, who was his girlfriend from 2002 to 2009; Molly McNearney, who is his current wife since 2013; or Ben Stein, who was his co-host on Win Ben Stein’s Money.
However, Jimmy Kimmel is not Jewish at all. He is a practicing Catholic who attends church regularly with his family. He has also stated that he respects Judaism and other religions but does not share their beliefs. He has also joked about his non-Jewishness on several occasions on his show and elsewhere. For example, he once said:
I wear this Saint Christopher medal sometimes because — I’m Jewish — but my boyfriend is Catholic. It was cute, the way he gave it to me. He said if it doesn’t burn through my skin, it will protect me.
He also said:
I’m not Jewish, but I am circumcised. I don’t know why. My parents just decided to do that to me. Maybe they thought it would make me more aerodynamic.
He also said:
I’m not Jewish, but I do have a lot of Jewish friends. And by friends, I mean accountants.
Conclusion
Jimmy Kimmel is one of the most successful and influential late-night talk show hosts in America. He is known for his comedy, his politics, and his interviews. He is also a Catholic who was raised in a Catholic family and still practices his faith today. He is not Jewish, despite some people’s assumptions, but he respects Judaism and other religions. He is also a proud husband, father, and philanthropist who uses his platform to make a positive difference in the world.
