He’s 57 Years Old! 10 Lesser-Known Facts About Jimmy Kimmel

Well, as Jimmy celebrates his 57th trip around the sun, let’s dive into 10 lesser-known, but equally entertaining facts about him that prove he’s just as interesting off-screen as he is on.

Jimmy Kimmel didn't always want to be a late-night host. In fact, his first real gig in entertainment was in radio! He started out as a radio intern at a station in Arizona before moving to Seattle, where he was a radio personality on the ‘Kevin & Bean’ show. Kimmel was the offbeat "sidekick," much like he is now on TV, but with fewer camera angles and a lot more obscure music trivia. It was during these early radio years that Jimmy honed his comedic timing and developed the "talk to the audience like they’re your best friend" style we know today. Who knew all that FM radio banter would one day turn into millions of nightly monologues?

Before ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ made him a household name, Kimmel had some notable comedy gigs under his belt. Perhaps less known, though, is his wild success in sketch comedy. He was one of the masterminds behind the beloved (but often overlooked) comedy show ‘The Man Show’ (1999-2004), where he and Adam Carolla turned their brand of irreverent humor into a cult hit. This wasn’t just a show of beer chugging and overly macho gags—it also included some surprisingly creative sketches, proving that Jimmy’s talents extend far beyond reading jokes from a cue card.

Yes, Jimmy Kimmel dabbled in the game show biz long before landing his gig at ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ In 2002, he hosted a quirky game show called ‘Win Ben Stein's Money’—yes, the same Ben Stein who was famous for deadpan lines like, "Bueller? Bueller?" While he may not have been the first person to come to mind for a game show host, Kimmel proved to be surprisingly good at it. He made ‘Win Ben Stein's Money’ sharp, funny, and weirdly endearing, showcasing an early glimpse of his fast-paced wit and comedic chops that would later make him a star in late-night TV.

Before he became a late-night legend, Jimmy Kimmel was just another fanboy with a dream. And that dream? To be in ‘Star Wars’. He’s admitted that he had a ridiculous obsession with the franchise as a kid—so much so that he would dress up as Luke Skywalker and attempt to re-enact entire scenes with his friends. As an adult, he finally fulfilled this dream, sort of, by getting 'Star Wars' legends Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher on his show. (But still no lightsaber duel... maybe next time?) That said, he has also been known to work in ‘Star Wars’ references into his shows—clearly, some childhood dreams never die.

Okay, we all know Jimmy’s hilarious feud with Matt Damon, but what’s the real story behind it? It all began back in 2006, when Kimmel jokingly apologized to Damon for cutting him from the show. This "apology" quickly spiraled into an ongoing comedic rivalry that would dominate late-night television for years. From pranking each other on air to Jimmy trying (and failing) to outshine Matt in every possible way, this rivalry has become one of the most entertaining and enduring bits in late-night history. But here’s the kicker: Kimmel claims it’s all been in good fun the entire time—well, except for when Matt Damon took his seat on the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ set in 2017… That one might have stung a little.

Sure, Jimmy Kimmel has all the high-end restaurants at his disposal, but what does he actually crave? It’s the simple stuff. He’s openly admitted that he’s a huge fan of fast food and comfort food. His love for McDonald’s is legendary—he’s often tweeted about getting fries at 2 a.m. or his go-to order (a McChicken with extra mayo). In fact, his unpretentious love of basic, greasy comfort food makes him *relatable* to fans across the globe. Jimmy’s not sitting around at some Michelin-starred joint; he’s eating a Taco Bell burrito and loving every bite.

Jimmy Kimmel is known for pulling pranks, but one of his most famous (and charitable) pranks was his 2013 “I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy” bit. After reading the heartbreaking responses from kids whose Halloween candy had been “eaten” by their parents, Kimmel decided to turn the prank into a massive charity initiative, pranking his audience into donating to children’s hospitals. Kimmel personally delivered thousands of dollars’ worth of donations as part of the joke. In typical Jimmy Kimmel fashion, the move combined a little bit of irreverence with a whole lot of heart.

No, seriously—he’s into magic. Jimmy Kimmel, magician? You better believe it. He’s said in interviews that he’s always been fascinated by magic tricks and sleight of hand, even going so far as to work with professional magicians like David Copperfield and Penn & Teller to learn some tricks of the trade. Though he’s never performed as a full-time magician, Kimmel’s impromptu magic tricks on the show have had fans wondering if a second career in magic might be in the cards. (Cue the dramatic flourish.)

Before Jimmy was the man at the late-night desk, his dad, Jim Kimmel, was working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Jimmy’s father was a writer, producer, and even a stage manager, so Jimmy got an early dose of Hollywood behind-the-scenes life. In fact, growing up in a family that was involved in show business (even if it wasn’t the glamorous side) helped Jimmy develop an appreciation for the work that goes into the entertainment industry and probably set him up for success when it came time for his own TV career.