Jimmy Kimmel Net Worth

What Is Jimmy Kimmel's Net Worth and Salary?

Jimmy Kimmel is an American television host and comedian who has a net worth of $50 million. Jimmy Kimmel is best known for his long-running late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC. Kimmel began his career in radio, working as a morning DJ in several markets before transitioning to television in the late 1990s. He gained national attention as the quick-witted co-host of Comedy Central's "Win Ben Stein's Money," which earned him a Daytime Emmy Award. He followed that with "The Man Show," which he co-created and co-hosted with Adam Carolla. Though controversial, the show became a cultural hit and cemented Kimmel's reputation for irreverent, boundary-pushing humor.

In 2003, Kimmel launched "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Despite a slow start and years of competing with more established hosts, the show gradually built a devoted audience thanks to Kimmel's mix of political satire, celebrity interviews, viral sketches, and emotional monologues. His interviews with figures like Barack Obama, heartfelt tributes to his children, and comedy segments such as "Mean Tweets" and "Lie Witness News" helped define his voice as a blend of mischief and sincerity.

Over the years, Kimmel has hosted major award shows, including the Emmys and the Oscars, where he became known for his self-deprecating humor and deft handling of live mishaps, such as the infamous "La La Land"/"Moonlight" Best Picture mix-up in 2017. Beyond late night, he's produced game shows and documentaries and used his platform to advocate for healthcare and political causes. With a career spanning radio, cable, network TV, and streaming, Kimmel has become one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in American comedy.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Salary

How much does Jimmy Kimmel make per year as host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"? $15 million.

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Early Life

Jimmy Kimmel was born James Christian Kimmel on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York. The eldest of three children, he lived in the neighborhood of Mill Basin until the family moved to Las Vegas when Kimmel was nine. He graduated from Ed W. Clark High School and attended one year of school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and two years at Arizona State University, later receiving an honorary degree from UNLV.

Radio Career

Kimmel, inspired by David Letterman's start in radio, began working at a radio station while he was still in high school. He continued on during college and landed his first paying radio job as a morning co-host on "The Me and Him Show" on KZOK-FM in Seattle. He and his co-host, Kent Voss, were fired in 1990, mainly due to costly stunts the two would perform on air. Kimmel decided to start his own show in Palm Springs, California, and he recruited childhood friend Carson Daly as his intern. Jimmy eventually ended up at KROQ-FM in Los Angeles and spent five years working as "Jimmy the Sports Guy" on the "Kevin and Bean" morning show.

Comedy Central

Initially, Kimmel had no interest in working in TV. He began writing promotional material for Fox announcers and was recruited to do the on-air promotions himself. Jimmy was then offered a place on Comedy Central's "Win Ben Stein's Money" in 1997 as the "funny everyman" comedic counterpart to Ben Stein. The duo won an Emmy award for Best Game Show Host. In 1999, while still working on "Win Ben Stein's Money," Kimmel co-hosted with Adam Carolla and co-produced "The Man Show." The success of the show allowed Kimmel and Carolla to create the show "Crank Yankers" for Comedy Central, with Jimmy also voicing several characters on the show himself.

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Jimmy Kimmel Live!

In 2003, Jimmy Kimmel stepped away from "The Man Show" to launch his own late-night program, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC. At first, the series struggled to find its footing in the crowded talk show landscape, but Kimmel's offbeat humor, willingness to experiment, and approachable style gradually won over viewers. Over time, the show became a fixture of American late-night television and one of ABC's signature programs.

Despite its title, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is rarely broadcast live, but the name reflects its original ambition to capture a spontaneous, unpredictable energy. Kimmel developed a reputation for quirky comedy bits, viral sketches, and a playful interviewing style that blends warmth with satire. Recurring segments such as "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets," "Lie Witness News," and his running gag feud with actor Matt Damon became hallmarks of the show and internet sensations, helping cement Kimmel's place in modern pop culture.

Like many talk show hosts, Kimmel has occasionally courted controversy, whether through political monologues, sharp celebrity takedowns, or edgy comedy sketches. He has leaned into social and political commentary more than some of his peers, particularly in recent years, drawing both praise and criticism for blending humor with advocacy. Kimmel himself has cited David Letterman and Howard Stern as two of his biggest influences, praising Letterman's irreverent wit and Stern's honesty as guiding forces in shaping his own voice.

Beyond his own program, Kimmel has served as a guest host for "Larry King Live" and "Live with Regis and Kelly." During one remarkable stretch, he commuted daily between New York and Los Angeles for a week to fill in on "Regis and Kelly" while continuing to tape his own show in California—an effort that earned him a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled in a single work week.

Kimmel has also become one of Hollywood's go-to emcees for major award shows. He has hosted the Academy Awards four times (2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024), earning strong reviews for his blend of self-deprecating humor and sharp commentary. He has also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards twice (2012 and 2016) and the American Music Awards for five consecutive years. In recognition of his enduring contributions to entertainment, Kimmel was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, located at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard.

Other Ventures

Jimmy served as the roastmaster for the New York Friars' Club Roast of Hugh Hefner. He has also hosted various Comedy Central roasts. Kimmel appeared on a season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." In 2007, Jimmy hosted a game show for ABC, "Set for Life." Kimmel managed the National League in the 2007 Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game in San Francisco. He played in the game in 2004 and 2006. Jimmy hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards with LeBron James. Kimmel has done voice work for many animated projects, such as "Robot Chicken," often voicing dogs. He released a children's book, "The Serious Goose," in July 2019. Kimmel hosted a series of episodes of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in April 2020. In August 2023, he began hosting a comedy podcast called "Strike Force Five" with Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver.

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Personal Life

Kimmel's cousin, Sal Iacono, often appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," and his uncle Frank Potenza also made frequent appearances until he died in 2011. Kimmel was married to Gina Maddy from 1988 to 2002. They have two children, Katherine and Kevin. Jimmy was in a relationship with Sarah Silverman from 2002 to 2009. He married Molly McNearney in July 2013, and the couple has two kids, Jane and William John. Their son was born with a rare congenital heart defect and underwent successful surgery at just three days old. Kimmel discussed the terrifying experience with his audience when he returned to the show. In 2020, Kimmel learned that he's Martha Stewart's cousin on the TV show "Finding Your Roots."

Kimmel is a practicing Catholic and a supporter of the Democratic Party. He has spoken publicly about suffering from narcolepsy. In 2021, Jimmy became the title sponsor of the LA Bowl, and the game officially became known as the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

Real Estate

Jimmy owns a number of homes in the LA area. In 2004, Jimmy paid $2.175 million for a home one block from the beach in Hermosa Beach, California. He bought a second home in Hermosa in 2014 for $2.25 million. At some point, he deeded this home to his wife's sister. In 2018, he dropped $8.2 million on yet another home in Hermosa. The current home on this lot is a modest 2,200-square-foot structure. According to the sales plans, a future home could be 20,000 square feet.

Outside of Hermosa, Jimmy owns a $7.1 million two-parcel home in the Hollywood Hills above the famed Chateau Marmont.

In 2020, Kimmel and angler Oliver White bought a fishing lodge in Idaho called the South Fork Lodge.

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