‘Jimmy Kimmel Live! Reveals Summer Guest Hosts Including Diego Luna & Jelly Roll

Jimmy Kimmel is preparing for his annual summer break and has lined up some A-listers to fill in for him.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! has revealed the guest hosts that will front the ABC late-night show in Kimmel’s absence. They include Anthony Anderson, Nicole Byer, Alan Cumming, Chris Distefano, Fortune Feimster, Jelly Roll, Diego Luna and Kumail Nanjiani.

Anderson, Byer and Nanjiani have previously guest hosted the show but it marks new territory for Cumming, Distefano, Feimster, Luna and pop star Jelly Roll.

It marks the fifth year that Kimmel, who baked his summer break into his ABC contract, has taken off the summer, starting in 2020 with no shows during the summer of 2023 as a result of the dual labor strikes in Hollywood.

Over that period the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Chelsea Handler, Al Franken, Nikki Glaser, Jeff Goldblum, RuPaul, Kerry Washington, Lamorne Morris, Sean Hayes and Hugh Jackman have all led the Hollywood-set show.

Luna will kick off proceedings on Monday June 23 with guests including Patton Oswalt, David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Stone, Adria Arjona, Alan Tudyk, Ariela Barer, Heidi Klum and Dolores Huerta as well as musical performances by NEZZA, Hermanos Gutiérrez, and Good Charlotte.

The show, which films at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard, is produced by 12:05 AM Productions, in association with Kimmelot and 20th Television. Kimmel, Erin Irwin, Molly McNearney, Jennifer Sharron and David Craig serve as executive producers with Douglas DeLuca and Danny Ricker as co-executive producers.

As the sun begins to blaze over Hollywood, late-night icon Jimmy Kimmel is preparing to step away from his famous desk — at least for the summer. True to a tradition he’s carved out in his ABC contract, Kimmel is once again taking his well-deserved annual break, but he’s leaving Jimmy Kimmel Live! in some very capable and, frankly, dazzling hands.

This year, the beloved late-night show has unveiled an eclectic and star-packed list of guest hosts who will take the reins while Kimmel recharges. Names like Anthony Anderson, Nicole Byer, Alan Cumming, Chris Distefano, Fortune Feimster, chart-topping country star Jelly Roll, the charismatic Diego Luna, and funnyman Kumail Nanjiani promise to keep the audience entertained with fresh perspectives, unexpected moments, and, of course, plenty of laughs.

For longtime fans, a few of these names will sound familiar: Anderson, Byer, and Nanjiani have all successfully steered the ship before, earning praise for their comedic chops and easy rapport with celebrity guests. But this summer marks an exciting first for Cumming, Distefano, Feimster, Luna, and Jelly Roll, each bringing a unique flair to the late-night format that could surprise even the most loyal Kimmel watchers.

A Summer Tradition That’s Become a Fan Favorite

Kimmel first negotiated this summer hiatus into his ABC deal back in 2020 — a smart move for a man who’s been hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its debut in 2003. The break gives him time to focus on family, recharge creatively, and, perhaps most importantly, avoid burnout in a grueling industry where the news never sleeps.

Audiences have embraced this annual shake-up, turning the guest-hosting slots into mini-events themselves. Who could forget when Ryan Reynolds put his own dry, self-deprecating spin on the opening monologue, or when Jennifer Lawrence turned the desk into her personal playground for delightful celebrity antics?

In previous summers, an eclectic mix of A-listers like Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Chelsea Handler, Al Franken, Nikki Glaser, Jeff Goldblum, RuPaul, Kerry Washington, Lamorne Morris, Sean Hayes, and Hugh Jackman have all tried their hand at late-night hosting under Kimmel’s banner — proving that swapping out hosts can keep the show fresh while giving celebrities a chance to show off their improv chops.

Diego Luna and Jelly Roll Lead the 2024 Takeover

This year’s lineup kicks off in style with Diego Luna — the ever-charming Mexican actor known for roles in Rogue One and Andor. Luna is no stranger to commanding an audience, but seeing him tackle monologue punchlines and comedic interviews should offer fans a delightful new side of his personality.

Luna’s first show is set for Monday, June 23, and the guest list is stacked: Patton Oswalt, David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Stone, Adria Arjona, Alan Tudyk, Ariela Barer, supermodel Heidi Klum, and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta are all on deck to sit across from him. And the music? Expect an eclectic mix too, with performances by NEZZA, the soulfully hypnotic Hermanos Gutiérrez, and pop-punk legends Good Charlotte.

Not far behind is Jelly Roll, the Nashville breakout star who’s been topping country charts and collecting accolades at breakneck speed. Seeing him swap stadiums for a late-night desk might sound unusual, but anyone who’s heard his raw, heartfelt lyrics knows he’s more than capable of mixing emotion with humor — a perfect fit for Kimmel’s show.

A Carefully Crafted Production

Behind the scenes, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is a well-oiled machine. The show films at the iconic El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard, a venue steeped in history and buzzing with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of stars entering through the side doors.

The production is spearheaded by Kimmel’s own 12:05 AM Productions, in association with Kimmelot and 20th Television. It’s a testament to how deeply involved Kimmel remains, even when he’s off fishing with his kids or enjoying some downtime. Executive producers Erin Irwin, Molly McNearney (Kimmel’s wife and longtime collaborator), Jennifer Sharron, and David Craig ensure the show runs smoothly. Co-executive producers Douglas DeLuca and Danny Ricker round out the powerhouse team, coordinating each guest host’s unique vision for their episodes.

What Makes This Summer’s Lineup Exciting

Part of the fun of this rotating cast of guest hosts is seeing how they put their own spin on the time-honored late-night format. Will Alan Cumming deliver his signature theatrical wit? Will Fortune Feimster infuse her sets with her bubbly stand-up energy? Will Chris Distefano’s brash New York style clash hilariously with primetime Hollywood?

For viewers, the unpredictability is part of the draw. Each week promises a fresh monologue style, new comedic timing, and interactions that feel spontaneous — something that even a seasoned host like Kimmel admits keeps the show feeling young after two decades.

Mark Your Calendars

So if you’re already dreading the summer TV lull, fear not: Jimmy Kimmel Live! will remain as lively as ever. With this diverse slate of guest hosts, surprise celebrity appearances, and musical acts spanning pop, rock, Latin sounds, and country twang, there’s a little something for everyone.

Whether you’re tuning in for Diego Luna’s effortless charm, Jelly Roll’s raw honesty, or Nicole Byer’s infectious energy, this summer promises plenty of memorable moments. As always, expect Kimmel to pop up occasionally via social media — or in jokes from his stand-in hosts — just to remind everyone that he’ll be back soon enough.

So grab your popcorn, set your DVR, and get ready to see how some of Hollywood’s biggest names handle the heat behind Jimmy Kimmel’s famous desk. If history is any guide, it’s bound to be a wildly entertaining ride.