Jimmy Kimmel is having a very challenging time, and friends are fearing the worst.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host has been having a heck of a 2025. Really, s**t has hit the fan in the last few months. After making controversial comments about Charlie Kirk‘s death, he was pulled off the air by ABC. Shortly after returning, his best friend and his band lead Cleto Escobedo III suddenly passed away. And all this has been going on while he’s been battling President Donald Trump. It’s a lot for anyone to handle, and Jimmy’s not taking it very well.
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Speaking to Radar Online on Monday, a source shared that those in the comedian’s inner circle are scared he’s on the verge of a breakdown. Oh, no. They explained:
“Jimmy is spiraling. He’s known Cleto since he was just a kid and he never expected him to be gone this soon. It’s got Jimmy facing his own mortality and questioning everything. He’s in a very dark place.”
Oof.
Despite returning to the air with huge viewership and choosing to renew his contract with the network for another year, not everything has been going so well for Jimmy behind the scenes. The source said he still hasn’t recovered from the “chilling” backlash of his political scandal. They shared:
“Jimmy got back on the air, so a lot of people assume that he’s moved past this and is feeling like a champ, but that’s not the case. He feels very beaten down.”
They added:
“He’s used to people not liking him, but the level of hate was more than he ever anticipated. He was getting death threats. No one should have to endure that.”
So scary.
While many were glad to see him renew his contract (despite rumors he was ready to quit), others wish he’d take more time for himself:
“Jimmy is tired, and he’s grieving, and he’s completely burned out. You can see just by looking at him that he’s barely holding it together.”
The source went on:
“People in his life are begging him to step back from the show before the job eats him alive. They’re terrified that if he doesn’t make a change soon, the stress will destroy him. He’s never been this down.”
Jeez. So sad to hear. We hope he takes time to grieve and process this all in private over the holidays before returning to things full force. Nobody wants to see him burn out amid this controversy. We’re wishing him the best!
Thoughts? Share them (below).
[Image via MEGA/WENN & ABC/YouTube]
