Jimmy Kimmel’s Candid Reveal: “This Might Be the End of the Road”
As Jimmy Kimmel gears up to host the Oscars for the fourth time, he’s dropping hints that something much bigger could be on the horizon—his possible exit from late-night television after more than two decades.
In an exclusive sit-down with the Los Angeles Times, the 56-year-old Jimmy Kimmel Live! host opened up about the future—and it’s not what fans might expect. “I think this is my final contract,” he admitted, though he knows he’s said it 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 in a reflective state of mind. With just over two years left on his current contract, he’s beginning to feel the pull toward closure. “That seems pretty good. That seems like enough,” he said, sounding calm and content with the thought.
What Comes After Late Night?
While nothing is set in stone, Kimmel has started to imagine what life might look like once the cameras stop rolling. “It might not be anything that anyone other than me is aware of,” he teased. From cooking to drawing and even dabbling in sculpture, he hinted that his creative spark could soon take new, unexpected forms—away from the spotlight.
A Deeper Reflection
Kimmel also shared a deeply personal reason behind this shift in perspective: the recent passing of his grandfather. It prompted him to reevaluate his own life and legacy. “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 reflected. “I just know it about myself.”
It’s a rare and vulnerable side of Kimmel—one that fans don’t often see from the usually sharp-witted comedian.
The Takeaway
Though no official decisions have been made, it’s clear Kimmel is seriously contemplating a new chapter. Whether he truly steps away or decides to stay, one thing’s certain: he’s thinking beyond the glitz of late-night, and toward something more personal, more creative—and entirely his own.