For over two decades, Jimmy Kimmel has been a familiar face in the world of late night television. However, a significant change could be on the horizon, as the veteran host hints at the possibility of stepping away from his long-running show, Jimmy Kimmel Live.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kimmel, 56, opened up about his current career milestones, including preparing to host the Oscars once again and his enduring role in the late night arena.

Since its debut in January 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Live has grown from a fledgling production to a cornerstone of late night television. When Kimmel first stepped into the role, he was a relative newcomer to the hosting scene. Now, 21 seasons later, he holds the distinction of being the longest-serving late night talk show host currently on air—a testament to his staying power and audience connection.

While Kimmel has helmed a variety of high-profile events throughout his career, his recent comments have sparked speculation about his future in the industry. Could the longest-running host of the late night era be preparing to pass the torch?

As the landscape of late night television evolves, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see if Kimmel’s next move signals a new chapter for the iconic comedian—or the end of an era for one of Hollywood’s most enduring late night fixtures.

After more than two decades at the helm of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the longest-serving late night host is contemplating what comes next.

Jimmy Kimmel, 56, shared his thoughts on his career and the complexities of balancing passion and exhaustion during an episode of the podcast Strike Force Five, which he co-hosted with other late night personalities during the recent writers’ strike.

“It wasn’t until I was out of work that I realized how much I missed it,” Kimmel admitted, describing the paradox of his long-standing role.

He elaborated on the unique challenges of the job, recalling a particularly demanding evening. “Wednesday night, I was very tired and I had all these scripts to go through — I had to revise and rewrite all these pitch ideas for the Oscars — and I was literally nodding off onto my computer. In those moments, I think, ‘I cannot wait until my contract is over.’”

However, stepping away from the daily grind offers its own perspective. Kimmel confessed that taking a break often rekindles his appreciation for the job’s more enjoyable aspects. “You start going, ‘Yeah, I miss the fun stuff,’” he said.

As Kimmel nears the end of his current contract, fans are left wondering whether he’ll continue his late night reign or decide it’s time to step away from the stage that has defined his career for over 21 years.

After over two decades on late night television, Jimmy Kimmel is opening up about what might be the final chapter of his hosting career. Reflecting on his future during an interview, Kimmel revealed he’s seriously considering stepping away once his current contract ends.

“I think this is my final contract,” Kimmel admitted. “I hate to even say it, because everyone’s laughing at me now — each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case. I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough.”

But what would life after late night look like for Kimmel? The 56-year-old host paints an imaginative and humorous picture of his future self, filled with hobbies he readily admits may never come to fruition.

“He is very accomplished,” Kimmel joked about his hypothetical retired persona. “He speaks Italian, he plays the harmonica beautifully. He is an expert fly-fisherman. He does all these different things that I know I’m not actually going to do. He’s drawn some graphic novels that were very well-received. He’s very busy — it’s funny, whenever I think of what I’m going to do when I stop working, it all involves more work.”

Whether or not he ultimately steps away from the late night stage, Kimmel’s fans remain steadfast in their support. After years of bringing laughter, wit, and heartfelt moments to late night television, it’s clear Jimmy Kimmel has earned whatever future he decides to pursue.

And no matter where that journey takes him, one thing is certain — his legacy in Hollywood is already firmly cemented.