Jimmy Kimmel recently shared a photo of his 7-year-old son, Billy, attending a Dodgers-Yankees game. The appearance warmed fans’ hearts, with many sharing their joy and relief on social media.
In the post, the late-night host included a playful caption, “Congratulations to the Dodgers! Now will the Yankees concede?” Fans were quick to notice Billy’s healthy appearance, with supportive comments flooding in.
One user wrote, “So nice to see Billy so healthy, even if he is cheering for those smarmy Dodgers,” while another expressed, “I’m so glad and grateful to see you young man so happy. Stay strong and healthy always.”
Others joined in with affectionate notes like, “Great caption… and your son is so adorable,” “He is getting so big Jimmy,” and “Wow son much better. Yes, Jimmy!”
More fans showed their love, calling him a “handsome boy” and “cute little mini Jimmy!” The overwhelming sentiment in these comments reveals the public’s affection for the Kimmel family and their support for Billy’s ongoing battle.
Jimmy Kimmel, had previously shared details about Billy’s latest heart surgery, which took place in May 2024. In a post from that time, Jimmy opened up about the mixed feelings his family had going into Billy’s third surgery.
His words conveyed immense relief and gratitude, “This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery. We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid.”
Jimmy extended heartfelt thanks to the medical team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). He specifically mentioned lead surgeon Dr. Vaughn Starnes and cardiologist Dr. Tim Casarez. He praised the entire staff, calling their work “immeasurable kindness and expertise.”
Billy’s journey has been well-documented since his birth in April 2017. Jimmy revealed his diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a rare and severe heart condition, just days after welcoming Billy.
In a May 2017 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Jimmy recounted the dramatic moments when a nurse detected something amiss during a routine checkup.
After a series of tests, doctors discovered that Billy’s heart had both a blocked pulmonary valve and a hole between the chambers, preventing oxygenated blood from circulating correctly.
As an infant, Billy underwent his first open-heart surgery, an operation Jimmy described as “the longest three hours of my life.” The procedure was a success, but doctors informed the family that Billy would require additional surgeries as he grew.
These included a second operation a few months later and a planned third surgery to replace the valve as he got older. Each of these procedures was necessary for Billy’s well-being, with Jimmy openly sharing updates.
Throughout Billy’s medical journey, Jimmy has shared his gratitude for the public’s outpouring of support. In his most recent post, he thanked “loving strangers who took time to pray for and send positive energy” to Billy.
He appreciated family and friends who provided strength during difficult times. He also praised his wife, Molly, for her resilience, calling her “stronger than is reasonable for any mom to be” and describing Billy as “the toughest (and funniest) 7-year-old we know.”
Jimmy has used his family’s experience to champion children’s healthcare access, especially for families facing similar challenges. In his posts, he frequently encourages followers to support CHLA or other children’s hospitals, which provide essential care regardless of a family’s financial means.
Jimmy also credits the Affordable Care Act for enabling CHLA to help families like his, mentioning how donations from companies like Disney and individual supporters sustain these hospitals.
“Please share your love, hearts, and prayers with [families in need] and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA… or a great children’s hospital near you,” Jimmy urged in his post.
For now, Billy’s latest surgery brings a hopeful outlook, with Jimmy expressing a wish that this operation might be the last. As he continues to grow, Billy will be closely monitored to ensure his ongoing health, with fans around the world cheering him on every step of the way.
Billy, whose full name is William John Kimmel, is Jimmy’s youngest child. Jimmy is a father of four and shares his children with two different women. He has two kids with his ex-wife and two with his current wife, Molly McNearney.
Jimmy and Molly, a screenwriter, met at work. She went down memory lane in a February 2014 interview, relating how they went from co-workers to life partners.
While Jimmy worked as the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Molly was the co-head writer of the show. When Molly gave the interview, she confessed that they had known each other longer in a professional sense than in a personal one.
Molly shared her first impression of Jimmy during the interview and revealed the first time they met, he “insulted” her. At the time, she and her executive producer had walked into his office to introduce her as the new assistant writer.
Molly recalled , “Jimmy barely looked up from his desk until my EP said, ‘She competes in triathlons,’ and then Jimmy looked up at me and said, ‘That is really stupid! What a waste of time.’”
When asked whether she ever would have imagined being his wife then, Molly said it never crossed her mind because she never thought of him romantically. Moreover, they were both in relationships at the time.
Asked when the romance began between them, the Missouri native explained it was around 2010. During a get-together with fellow writers after the show, Jimmy asked everyone about their favorite foods.
Afterward, he invited Molly to his house, where he made her favorite meal. The pair spent more time together, and things progressed from there.
