Jimmy Kimmel Bids Farewell to Late Night and America: “I’m Moving to Canada and Never Coming Back”

Late-night television has lost one of its most enduring voices. Jimmy Kimmel, the Emmy-winning host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, shocked viewers and industry insiders alike with a deeply emotional on-air announcement: he is ending his show and permanently relocating to Canada.

“This is it,” Kimmel declared during his Monday night monologue, his voice heavy with emotion. “I’m moving to Canada, and I’m never coming back.”

The statement brought a stunned silence across the audience, both in-studio and at home. For over two decades, Kimmel has been a nightly fixture in millions of homes, offering a unique blend of political satire, Hollywood banter, and viral comedic sketches. Now, that chapter has closed—for good.

A Staple of American Late Night

Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered on ABC in January 2003, entering a competitive late-night arena dominated by veterans like Jay Leno and David Letterman. Kimmel, a former co-host of The Man Show and Win Ben Stein’s Money, brought an irreverent, everyman energy that quickly set him apart.

Over the years, Kimmel carved out a legacy that spanned multiple generations. From his annual “Mean Tweets” segment and his legendary Halloween candy prank videos to his emotional tributes to healthcare workers and his searing political commentary, Kimmel became more than just a comedian—he became a cultural barometer.

“I always thought this would last a few years, tops,” Kimmel admitted during his farewell. “But somehow, we made it to 21.”

A Career of Conviction and Comedy

While many late-night hosts kept things light, Kimmel never shied away from controversy. In 2017, after his newborn son underwent emergency heart surgery, Kimmel used his platform to advocate for accessible healthcare, sparking national debate.

He has also taken sharp aim at political figures on both sides of the aisle, a stance that gained him both admirers and critics. As his profile rose, so did the pressures—both personal and professional.

“It’s been an incredible ride, but I’m tired. And frankly, I want to breathe,” he said during Monday’s broadcast.

Why Canada?

Though Kimmel didn’t elaborate extensively on his reasons for leaving the country, his move to Canada is clearly a deliberate and symbolic gesture.

“In Canada, I’ll have peace, snow, and better maple syrup,” he joked, trying to lighten the moment. But the undertone was unmistakable—this was more than just a lifestyle shift; it was a personal reckoning.

Sources close to the host suggest a combination of political fatigue, industry burnout, and a desire to spend more time with family played roles in his decision. Others speculate that the increasingly polarized landscape of American media may have made it difficult for Kimmel to keep doing what he loved without constant scrutiny.

Hollywood Reacts

News of Kimmel’s exit rippled across social media and Hollywood within minutes.

Stephen Colbert called Kimmel “a fearless truth-teller and a brilliant comic mind.” Jimmy Fallon shared a nostalgic clip from their infamous “handsome men’s club” sketch, adding, “Going to miss you, brother.”

Even rivals weighed in. Bill Maher tweeted, “Love him or hate him, Kimmel raised the bar. A real loss for late night.”

What’s Next?

While Kimmel has made it clear that he’s not interested in launching another show, sources say he may explore producing, writing, or even independent filmmaking in the future. However, for now, he’s embracing a slower pace and a quieter life.

“There’s no big next thing,” he said. “Just me, my family, and a cabin in the snow.”

The late-night landscape is already shifting. With the recent retirements of James Corden and Trevor Noah, and the ongoing writers’ strikes and industry realignments, Kimmel’s departure marks yet another turning point in a space once ruled by nightly monologues and celebrity banter.

The End of an Era

Kimmel’s farewell closes the curtain on not just a show, but a television institution. For millions, Jimmy Kimmel Live! wasn’t just a way to end the day—it was a trusted voice in chaotic times.

“I’ll miss this more than I can say,” he told his audience in his closing remarks. “But I’ve said what I needed to say. And now it’s time to go.”

With that, he stood, waved one final time, and walked off the stage—into the unknown, into Canada, and into television history.