Jimmy Kimmel has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, building a legacy in late-night television. His sharp wit and cultural commentary have made the ABC program a fixture of American television for more than two decades. After years in the spotlight, the show has become deeply intertwined with Kimmel’s personal life and public identity. The program feels more like a family heirloom at this point.

And Kimmel’s daughter has already staked claim to it.

Speaking with Dax Shepard on Armchair Expert, Jimmy Kimmel revealed that Jane has developed a remarkably confident vision for her future. The 12-year-old apparently believes she will inherit Jimmy Kimmel Live! 

“For whatever reason, she’s decided, even though she’s one of my four children, that she is taking over the show. It was never a conversation even. It was just like, ‘Yeah, I will, of course, run the family business,’” Kimmel said. Jane’s conviction surprised her parents, who never discussed succession. 

During the podcast, Kimmel shared that Jane cried when his show faced temporary suspension. Host Dax Shepard noted her emotional reaction, calling it “annoying and presumptuous” in jest. Kimmel compared her ambition to Jon Stewart’s son, who once claimed The Daily Show as his future.

“What’s with this ‘Trevor’ character?” Stewart recalled his son asking about Trevor Noah. Kimmel also discussed explaining his political clashes to Jane. 

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Jane may already have her future mapped out, but her father is currently receiving some unexpected help from another late-night legend.

Stephen Colbert has stepped into Kimmel’s corner ahead of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. In a playful Instagram video, Colbert urged Emmy voters to support Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the Outstanding Variety Series category, even joking that viewers did not need to watch the program to know Kimmel deserved recognition.

The endorsement carries extra significance because Colbert’s The Late Show is competing in the same category. The 2026 nominees also include The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Colbert’s gesture continues a friendship built through years of late-night competition.

Kimmel previously backed The Late Show during its final Emmy campaign, encouraging audiences to support Colbert before CBS ended the program. The Late Show eventually won the category. Kimmel’s own Emmy campaign has also embraced the political fire surrounding his show, using clips featuring Donald Trump criticizing him. 

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What do you think about Jane already planning to take over Jimmy Kimmel Live!? Let us know in the comments.