As Jimmy Kimmel prepares to host the Oscars for the fourth time, he’s also quietly hinting at something even bigger—a possible end to his two-decade run on late-night television.
In an exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 56-year-old host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! admitted that his current contract might be his last. “I think this is my final contract,” he said, while acknowledging that people have heard that before. “I hate to even mention it because everyone’s laughing at me now—each time I think that, and then it turns out to not be the case.”
Now celebrating 21 years on the air, Kimmel is feeling reflective. With just over two years left on his contract, he’s starting to see a natural endpoint. “That seems pretty good. That seems like enough,” he shared, sounding at peace with the idea.
What’s Next for Kimmel?
Though he hasn’t made any official decisions, Kimmel has started to think about life after late-night. “It might not be anything that anyone other than me is aware of,” he said. From cooking to drawing and even trying sculpture, he hinted that his creative energy might take new forms—off-screen.
A Personal Reason Behind the Reflection
Kimmel also opened up about the recent passing of his grandfather and how it made him reassess his own life path. “I know that when I die… I’m going to think, ‘Oh, I was never able to get to this, and I was never able to get to that,’” he shared. “I just know it about myself.”
It’s a rare, honest glimpse into the mindset of a man known more for his comedy than his vulnerability.
The Bottom Line
While nothing is set in stone, Jimmy Kimmel sounds serious about stepping away once his current contract ends. Whether he follows through or changes his mind, it’s clear he’s thinking beyond the bright lights of the late-night stage—and toward something more personal.
