Jimmy Kimmel admits he is considering retirement but his wife wants him to ‘keep fighting’

Jimmy Kimmel, 58, has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, making him the longest-tenured host of the current crop of American late-night TV shows. His contract runs through May 2027. He recently agreed to a one-year extension with Disney, which owns ABC, after a suspension following comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel expressed fear about retiring, citing past examples of people who struggled to rebound after quitting their careers. His wife, Molly McNearney, a co-head writer and executive producer, expressed conflicted feelings—she wants him to retire to relax but believes his work is vital, especially in giving people a sense of their voices being heard. She also mentioned a desire for the show to end in a positive way. The uncertainty in late-night television has been heightened by the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, which ended after 11 years. Kimmel clarified that retirement does not mean stopping work entirely, just a different scenario. He emphasized responsibility and the potential for a 'blaze of glory' exit, though he felt somewhat defeated by recent events.