
In an interview with Variety, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he once saved Matt Damon's life at a dinner party. Kimmel had cooked pork ribs, which caused Damon to choke, with the meat getting stuck in his throat for about an hour and a half. Kimmel joked that he wanted to take Damon to the hospital because if he died in his house, he would be in prison for the rest of [his] life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospital visit | Jimmy Kimmel's newborn son, Billy, had to undergo emergency heart surgery due to a congenital heart defect. |
| Date | April 2017 |
| Location | Children's Hospital Los Angeles |
| Role | Father of the patient |
| Impact | Kimmel used the experience to advocate for affordable healthcare and access to health insurance for those with pre-existing conditions. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Jimmy Kimmel's newborn son, Billy, had heart surgery
- A nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center noticed Billy turning purple and rushed him into emergency care
- Kimmel thanked the doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Kimmel urged viewers to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Kimmel made a plea for affordable healthcare in the United States

Jimmy Kimmel's newborn son, Billy, had heart surgery
On April 21, 2017, Jimmy Kimmel's newborn son, William "Billy" John Kimmel, underwent emergency open-heart surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Billy was born with a congenital heart disease, which could have been fatal.
In an emotional monologue on his show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Kimmel recounted the terrifying experience of his newborn son's health crisis. He explained that a few hours after Billy's birth, a nurse noticed that the baby had turned purple and rushed him into emergency care. The surgery was a success, but Billy will require additional follow-up surgeries.
Kimmel expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where Billy was born, and at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where the surgery was performed. He also thanked his family, friends, production crew, and ABC executives for their support during this challenging time.
The talk show host also used his platform to advocate for affordable and accessible healthcare in the United States, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. He emphasized that no parent should have to worry about affording life-saving treatment for their child. Kimmel's monologue struck a chord with audiences, and he received support from many, including President Obama, who shared Kimmel's story on Twitter.
Creative Display Cabinet Ideas for Hospitals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.99

A nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center noticed Billy turning purple and rushed him into emergency care
In a monologue on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jimmy Kimmel opened up about his newborn son Billy's health crisis. Kimmel recounted the terrifying hours after Billy was born, explaining that Billy started turning purple about three hours after his birth. A nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where Billy was born, noticed Billy's colour and rushed him into emergency care.
The nurse's quick thinking and expertise saved Billy's life. She assessed the situation, heard a murmur in his heart, and noticed that he didn't look right. She alerted the doctor, and Billy was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. He was then rushed to Children's Hospital Los Angeles for emergency open-heart surgery, which was successful. However, Billy will require follow-up surgeries.
Kimmel, his wife, Molly McNearney, and their 2-year-old daughter, Jane, were faced with a frightening experience. Kimmel expressed his gratitude to the long list of doctors and nurses at both Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children's Hospital Los Angeles for their compassionate care. He also acknowledged the support of his family, friends, production crew, and ABC executives during this challenging time.
The experience made Kimmel realize how fortunate he was to have access to healthcare and health insurance. In his monologue, he made a heartfelt plea to politicians and lawmakers to ensure that all Americans, regardless of financial background, have access to the healthcare they need, especially those with pre-existing conditions. He emphasized that no parent should have to decide whether they can afford to save their child's life.
Orange County's Hospitals: How Many Are There?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kimmel thanked the doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles
In a monologue on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jimmy Kimmel opened up about his newborn son Billy's health crisis. Kimmel's son was born with a congenital heart defect and needed emergency open-heart surgery.
Kimmel thanked the doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where Billy was born and received emergency care. He also expressed his gratitude to the medical staff at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Billy underwent life-saving heart surgery.
During his monologue, Kimmel became emotional and teared up several times. He recounted the terrifying hours after Billy's birth, when he started turning purple, and a nurse at Cedars-Sinai noticed and sprang into action. Kimmel recognised the nurse's expertise and quick thinking, which likely saved his son's life.
Kimmel also acknowledged the skill and dedication of the doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, who performed the complex surgery and provided excellent care for Billy. He described the staff at both hospitals as compassionate and lifesaving.
In addition to thanking the medical professionals, Kimmel also urged viewers to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. He shared his personal experience to raise awareness about the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. Kimmel emphasised that no parent should have to worry about affording their child's medical treatment.
Hospitality's Unspoken Language: Body Talk
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Kimmel urged viewers to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles
In May 2017, Jimmy Kimmel opened up about complications following the birth of his son, Billy, on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! He recounted the terrifying few hours after Billy was born, explaining how he started to turn purple about three hours after his birth, and how a nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center noticed and rushed him into emergency care. Billy was subsequently diagnosed with congenital heart disease and had to undergo open-heart surgery.
Kimmel thanked the doctors and nurses at Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Billy underwent emergency heart surgery. He also urged viewers to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, expressing gratitude for the care and compassion shown to children from all financial backgrounds.
During his monologue, Kimmel also made a plea for affordable and accessible healthcare in the United States, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. He acknowledged his privilege in being able to afford healthcare for his son and advocated for the right of all children to receive life-saving treatment regardless of their family's financial situation.
Kimmel's monologue struck a chord with audiences and led to a wider discussion about healthcare legislation and the importance of ensuring that all Americans have access to the healthcare they need. His personal experience highlighted the impact of healthcare policies on individuals and families and added a human element to the ongoing debates about healthcare in the United States.
Kimmel's plea for donations to Children's Hospital Los Angeles and his advocacy for affordable healthcare demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to receive quality medical care. His influence as a popular television host brought attention to the issue and helped raise awareness about the impact of healthcare policies on families across the country.
Dwayne Johnson's Birthplace: Uncovering the Hospital
You may want to see also

Kimmel made a plea for affordable healthcare in the United States
In May 2017, Jimmy Kimmel opened up about his newborn son Billy's health crisis on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Billy was born with a congenital heart defect and had to undergo emergency open-heart surgery just hours after his birth. Kimmel's monologue about his son's health scare turned into a plea for affordable healthcare in the United States.
Kimmel acknowledged his privilege and expressed gratitude for having access to healthcare and health insurance to cover his son's treatments. However, he emphasized that not everyone is as fortunate. He urged politicians and lawmakers to ensure that all Americans have access to healthcare, especially those with pre-existing conditions. Kimmel's message transcended political affiliations, as he stated, "Don't let their partisan political squabbles divide us. This is not football. This is not about picking teams. We are the team—it's the United States of America."
Kimmel's plea highlighted the importance of healthcare as a basic human right, regardless of financial background. He shared his terrifying experience as a parent, unsure if his child would survive. "If your baby is going to die and it doesn't have to, it shouldn't matter how much money you make," he said. "No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child's life."
Kimmel's monologue struck a chord with audiences across the country, shedding light on the reality that many Americans face when dealing with healthcare. He brought attention to the fact that before the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), millions of Americans had no access to health insurance, and those with pre-existing conditions often struggled to obtain coverage. Kimmel's personal experience underscored the urgency of ensuring that healthcare is accessible and affordable for all, regardless of income or political affiliation.
Hospital Room Names: Understanding the Lingo
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Jimmy Kimmel was in the hospital as his newborn son, Billy, had to undergo emergency heart surgery.
Billy Kimmel was born with a congenital heart defect.
Yes, Jimmy Kimmel made a plea for affordable healthcare in the United States, urging Congress not to make cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
Jimmy Kimmel is famous for hosting his own late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC.




















