Short answer: No, Jimmy Kimmel is not Jewish.
He was raised Catholic. He has said so himself, in plain terms, on his own show.
This article gives one consistent answer, explains where he actually comes from, and clears up why some people assume otherwise.
Who Jimmy Kimmel Is
James Christian Kimmel was born on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York City.
He grew up in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn. He is the eldest of three children of Joan (née Iacono) and James John Kimmel.
He is best known as the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which has aired on ABC since 2003 — home to his long-running joke feud with Matt Damon.
His Religious Background
Kimmel was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy as a child.
His mother is of Italian descent. Her family came from Ischia, near Naples, in Italy.
Two of his paternal great-great-grandparents were German immigrants. His family surname was Kümmel several generations back.
When Kimmel was nine, the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. He later graduated from Ed W. Clark High School there.
What Kimmel Has Said Himself
Kimmel has described himself as a practicing Catholic.
In December 2017, after Alabama politician Roy Moore questioned his right to comment on Christian values, Kimmel answered on air.
He said he was a Christian too. He pointed to his first holy communion, his confirmation, his prayers, and his support for his church. He also noted, with a joke, that Christian is literally his middle name.
That on-air answer leaves little room for doubt. His background is Catholic, not Jewish.
Why Do Some People Think He Is Jewish?
There is no single proven reason, but a few likely sources of confusion stand out:
- His surname sounds German. Kimmel is a German-origin name, and some readers link German-sounding names with Jewish heritage. That link does not hold here.
- He works in late-night comedy. Many well-known Jewish comedians have worked in the same field, — alongside fellow hosts such as Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien — so some viewers assume a shared background.
- His show covers politics and culture. His monologues often take clear positions on current events. A presenter’s views do not reveal their religion.
None of those points changes the facts of his upbringing. A surname, a job, and a political view are not evidence of faith.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Christian Kimmel |
| Born | November 13, 1967, Brooklyn, New York City |
| Raised as | Catholic |
| Childhood role | Altar boy |
| Mother’s heritage | Italian, from Ischia |
| Father’s side | Includes German immigrant ancestors |
| Best known for | Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, since 2003 |
Is Jimmy Kimmel Jewish?
No. He was raised Catholic and has described himself as a practicing Catholic.
Was Jimmy Kimmel raised in a Catholic family?
Yes. He grew up in a Catholic household, served as an altar boy, and later spoke about his first communion and confirmation.
Is Kimmel a German name?
The family name has German roots, going back to Kümmel several generations ago. That history does not make him Jewish.
Does his wife’s background change the answer?
No. A spouse’s background does not change Kimmel’s own upbringing, and this article does not claim a religion for his wife.
Bottom Line
Jimmy Kimmel is not Jewish. He was born in Brooklyn, raised Catholic, and served as an altar boy as a child. He has confirmed that background himself, on air and in his own words.
