In the fast-paced world of late-night television, few hosts have remained as relevant—and controversial—as Jimmy Kimmel. For over two decades, his mix of viral pranks, celebrity skits, and impassioned monologues has made Jimmy Kimmel Live! a nightly destination. But with that level of fame comes a relentless stream of speculation.
From supposed backstage feuds to personal controversies and elaborate hoaxes, the rumor mill surrounding Kimmel never stops. We’re here to cut through the noise. We’ve dug into the archives, checked the tapes, and separated the sensational from the factual. Here are 15 common Jimmy Kimmel rumors, officially fact-checked.
1. Is the Jimmy Kimmel vs. Matt Damon Feud Real?
Verdict: False. This is perhaps the most famous running gag in late-night history. It all started with an improvised throwaway line to end a show Kimmel felt was a dud: “I want to apologize to Matt Damon, we ran out of time.” The joke landed, and it snowballed into a multi-decade mock feud that both celebrities clearly enjoy participating in.
2. Did He Start His Career as a Serious Journalist?
Verdict: Mostly False. While Kimmel did start in radio, it was far from serious journalism. He was a comedic personality known as “Jimmy the Sports Guy” on various rock stations and was reportedly fired multiple times for his on-air pranks and antics.
3. Was Jimmy Kimmel Involved in a Blackface Sketch?
Verdict: True. During his time on The Man Show in the early 2000s, Kimmel impersonated NBA star Karl Malone, which involved using darkened makeup and an exaggerated voice. He issued a formal public apology for the sketches in 2020, calling his actions “embarrassing” and thoughtless.
4. Did He Fake His Son’s Health Crisis for Political Points?
Verdict: Vilely False. This cruel conspiracy theory surfaced after Kimmel’s emotional 2017 monologue about his newborn son Billy’s life-saving open-heart surgery. The medical crisis was devastatingly real, and the experience prompted Kimmel to become a vocal and passionate advocate for affordable healthcare.
5. Was There a Genuine Rivalry with Jay Leno?
Verdict: True. Kimmel was a vocal supporter of Conan O’Brien during the 2010 Tonight Show conflict. He famously went on Leno’s own show and roasted him, calling him “a guy that takes a job from another guy.” The tension was authentic and made for unforgettable television.
6. Does He Secretly Dislike Children?
Verdict: False. This rumor stems from his wildly popular YouTube challenge, “I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy.” The segment is a comedy bit built on parents pranking their kids for laughs. In reality, Kimmel is a father of four, and the skits are all in good fun.
7. Did He Orchestrate the Viral “Twerk Fail” Video?
Verdict: True. In 2013, the internet was captivated by a video of a woman who seemingly caught her yoga pants on fire while twerking. It was an elaborate and successful hoax planned and executed by Kimmel and his team at Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
8. Is He Still Friends with Ex-Girlfriend Sarah Silverman?
Verdict: False. They are not on bad terms at all. While their romantic relationship ended in 2009, they have remained exceptionally good friends. Silverman has been a frequent guest on his show since the breakup, where they often joke about their shared history.
9. Is He One of the Highest-Paid Late-Night Hosts?
Verdict: True. With a reported annual salary of around $15 million, Jimmy Kimmel is firmly in the top tier of late-night earners, alongside contemporaries like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.
10. Was the 2017 Oscars Envelope Mix-Up His Fault?
Verdict: False. Kimmel was the host, but the historic error—where La La Land was mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight—was entirely the fault of the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants who handed out the wrong envelope. Kimmel was widely praised for how he managed the chaotic aftermath on live television.
11. Is He a Professionally Trained Chef?
Verdict: Mostly True. While he never attended culinary school, Kimmel is a widely respected and passionate amateur chef. He is particularly skilled in Italian cooking and barbecuing and even has a professional-grade pizza oven in his home. He’s far more than just a casual home cook.
12. Did Ben Affleck Want Him to Play Batman?
Verdict: False. This is another long-running comedic bit. Kimmel has often joked about his desire to play the Caped Crusader and has even appeared in mock trailers for non-existent Batman films on his show, often alongside Affleck.
13. Is He Related to Howard Stern?
Verdict: False. The two are not related by blood, but Kimmel has frequently cited Howard Stern as a major influence on his career. Stern was an early champion of Kimmel’s work and helped him gain national recognition.
14. Was Jimmy Kimmel Fired by Disney?
Verdict: A-Little-Bit-True. This is a fun piece of trivia. Long before he became a network star, a young Kimmel worked at a Disney-owned radio station and was eventually let go. Today, he is one of the biggest stars on the Disney-owned ABC network, bringing the story full circle.
15. Is Jimmy Kimmel Retiring Soon?
Verdict: Unconfirmed, but Possible. Kimmel has been open about contemplating retirement. He signed a contract extension that keeps him on the air through 2026, but has stated he wants to spend more time with his young children. For now, he’s still on our screens, but the end of an era could be on the horizon.
