Jimmy Kimmel Joyfully Shares the News: He’s a Grandfather!

Jimmy Kimmel has officially joined the ranks of grandfathers. The 57-year-old host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” made this announcement during his opening monologue on Tuesday, revealing that he missed a taping to welcome his granddaughter into the world.

Kimmel noted that this was only the second time in 22 years he had missed a show for personal reasons, excluding the pandemic and scheduled vacations. “You know, we were supposed to have a show last night, but we didn’t because my daughter had a baby,” he explained. His daughter, Katie, and her husband, Will, welcomed a baby girl, prompting Kimmel to be present at the birth.

The proud grandfather also shared the baby’s delightful name, Patti, adding a humorous twist: “like a patty melt but with an i.” Her middle name, Joan, pays tribute to Kimmel’s late mother.

Kimmel expressed his regret to the audience who had tickets for the canceled show and to guest Seth Rogen, whom he described as “very understanding” about the change. “He was totally high when I called him,” Kimmel joked, lightening the moment.

Reflecting on his newfound role, Kimmel discussed the “big responsibility” of being a grandfather. “It is kind of scary to bring a child into this world and say, ‘Okay, you’re in this now at least until the year 2100. Good luck,’” he said, touching on current challenges that the new generation faces, from climate issues to social dilemmas.

Kimmel is a father of four, sharing two adult children, Katie and Kevin, with his ex-wife, Gina Maddy. He also has two younger kids, Jane and Billy, with his current wife, Molly McNearney, a producer for his show.

Notably, Kimmel is the first active late-night television host to become a grandfather since the legendary Johnny Carson, making this milestone particularly special in the world of late-night entertainment.