Jimmy Kimmel Shares His Biggest Takeaways from 2025

Jimmy Kimmel did not walk away from 2025 with a single trophy in mind. After a year marked by controversy, loss, and reflection, the late-night host says the biggest lesson he learned had nothing to do with playing it safe.

Nearly a month after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was renewed for another year, Kimmel reflected on what the past year taught him professionally. Speaking exclusively to E News correspondent Daryn Carp at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4, the longtime host summed it up simply.

"I learned a lot of lessons," Kimmel said. "I guess, 'Stick to your guns.' That's the biggest lesson I learned last year." Carp joked that he appeared to have developed both metaphorical and literal strength, prompting Kimmel to add with a grin, "Well, I didn't say that, but I do have guns."

The humor was familiar, but the meaning behind it came from a year unlike any other in his decades-long career.

A Sudden Suspension and Public Backlash

In September 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended "indefinitely" following backlash to remarks Kimmel made during a monologue referencing the murder of Charlie Kirk. The move marked a rare interruption in late-night television and immediately sparked intense debate.

Less than a week later, the show returned to air. When Kimmel addressed the situation, he did so emotionally, making it clear that his words had been misunderstood.

"It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," he said, choking back tears. "I don't think there's anything funny about it."

He also clarified that he did not intend to place blame on any group, explaining that the crime was carried out by what he described as "a deeply disturbed individual."

"That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make," Kimmel said. He acknowledged that the timing and clarity of his remarks may have fallen short for some viewers and said he understood why people were upset.

Disagreeing With the Decision, Not the Outcome

While Kimmel accepted responsibility for the confusion surrounding his monologue, he later revealed that he did not agree with ABC's decision to suspend the show.

"I told them that, and we had many conversations," he recalled. "We have short attention spans, and I am a tiny part of the Disney Corporation."

Ultimately, the network reversed course and welcomed him back on the air. Kimmel expressed appreciation for the decision and gratitude for the support he received during the six-day hiatus, noting that messages came in from viewers around the world.

A Profound Personal Loss

Just two months after the controversy, Kimmel faced a devastating loss when his childhood best friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! band leader, Cleto Escobedo III, died at age 59.

In a tribute, Kimmel shared that they had "been inseparable since I was 9 years old," underscoring the depth of a friendship that spanned nearly five decades. The loss added a deeply personal layer to an already difficult year and reminded him of what mattered beyond television.

Kimmel is a father of four, sharing Katie, 34, and Kevin, 32, with ex-wife Gina Maddy, and Jane, 11, and Billy, 8, with his wife, writer and producer Molly McNearney.

Despite the turbulence, Kimmel closed out the year on a high note, winning Best Talk Show at the Critics Choice Awards. The recognition served as a reminder that perseverance and honesty still resonate with audiences.

Looking back on 2025, Jimmy Kimmel's biggest takeaway was not about avoiding controversy or pleasing everyone. It was about clarity, accountability, and staying true to his instincts, even when the outcome is uncertain. For a comedian whose career has thrived on speaking his mind, the past year reaffirmed that conviction is sometimes the hardest lesson of all.