ABC, the Disney-owned network, has decided to indefinitely suspend host Jimmy Kimmel’s show following comments he made about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision has sparked intense debate over the line between comedy and controversy in late-night television, as well as the responsibility of hosts when addressing sensitive topics. For now, no return date for the show has been announced, nor details about potential changes to its content.
What is Jimmy Kimmel’s net worth?
Jimmy Kimmel, a well-known American host and comedian, has an estimated net worth of $50 million. He rose to fame with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!“, ABC’s late-night talk show. Before transitioning to television, Kimmel began his career in radio as a morning DJ in various cities, gradually earning a place in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, he has hosted major award ceremonies, including the Emmys and the Oscars, produced shows, contests, and documentaries, and used his platform to discuss political and health issues.
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Regarding real estate, Kimmel owns several properties in Hermosa Beach and Hollywood Hills. In 2004, he purchased a home near the beach for $2.175 million, and in 2014, he acquired another for $2.25 million, which he later transferred to his wife’s sister. In 2018, he invested $8.2 million in a 2,200-square-foot house in Hermosa Beach, with future construction plans potentially expanding it to 20,000 square feet. He also owns a home in Hollywood Hills valued at $7.1 million and a fishing lodge in Idaho called South Fork Lodge.
What was Jimmy Kimmel’s salary at ABC?
Kimmel earned $15 million annually as the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, making him one of the highest-paid late-night hosts in the country.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk’s death?
On Monday night, Kimmel criticized how certain political groups responded to Kirk’s murder, stating that the “MAGA gang” was trying to exploit the situation for political gain.
“MAGA gang is desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” he said.
He also played a clip of Donald Trump, who claimed he was “very well” two days after the shooting, before shifting the topic to construction at the White House. Kimmel added, “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” and questioned comments from Vice President JD Vance, calling his claims about the far left “complete nonsense.”
Who is Jimmy Kimmel?
James Christian Kimmel was born on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Mill Basin before moving to Las Vegas at age nine. He graduated from Ed W. Clark High School and attended UNLV and Arizona State University, later receiving an honorary degree. Inspired by David Letterman, he began working in radio during high school and college, eventually co-hosting morning shows in Seattle and Los Angeles.
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In 1997, he made his television debut on “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” earning an Emmy, and later co-hosted “The Man Show” with Adam Carolla, which allowed him to develop “Crank Yankers.” In 2003, he launched “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which initially faced challenges but ultimately succeeded due to his accessible style and original humor.
Kimmel has also hosted New York Friars’ Club events, the ESPY Awards, and appeared on “Dancing With the Stars.” He directed the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game, has voiced numerous animated characters, published a children’s book, and in 2023 debuted the podcast “Strike Force Five” alongside other prominent comedians.
In his personal life, he was married to Gina Maddy from 1988 to 2002 and has been married to Molly McNearney since 2013, with whom he has two children. His son William John was born with a congenital heart condition and underwent successful surgery at three days old. Kimmel is a practicing Catholic, a supporter of the Democratic Party, and has spoken publicly about his narcolepsy. In 2021, he became the title sponsor of the LA Bowl, officially renaming it the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.
What is MAGA?
The MAGA movement emerged as a nativist political phenomenon in the United States during the 2016 presidential campaign, led by Donald Trump. Its name comes from the famous slogan “Make America Great Again,” which quickly became a symbol of identity for his supporters and has endured as an emblem within the American political landscape.
Although the slogan was popularized by Trump, it is not entirely new. Decades earlier, Republican former President Ronald Reagan used a similar variation: “Let’s Make America Great Again,” which was part of the central messages of his 1980 presidential campaign. This precedent shows that the idea of “revitalizing” the country as a campaign message has historical roots within the Republican Party.
According to reports, Donald Trump formally adopted the phrase in November 2012, shortly after Mitt Romney, then former governor of Massachusetts, lost the presidential election to Barack Obama. Trump officially registered the slogan with the purpose of raising public awareness on political issues and facilitating fundraising within the electoral arena. From that moment, “Make America Great Again” became a central emblem of the MAGA movement and a recurring element in his supporters’ rhetoric, symbolizing their political ambitions and nationalist focus.
