Jimmy Kimmel Opens With Heartfelt Story of Newborn Son Billy’s Heart Troubles, Surgery

About a week-and-a-half ago, Jimmy Kimmel and his wife welcomed their son, William “Billy” Kimmel, into the world, and all appeared well — until about three hours later, when a nurse noticed that Billy looked a bit purple. X-rays revealed that Billy’s lungs were fine, which meant that something was wrong with his heart.

Kimmel told his audience the rest of this story while fighting back tears, describing what it’s like to find out your newborn child has a heart disease and will require surgery. “It’s a terrifying thing,” he said. The surgery was a success, and Billy is doing great, but he will require two follow-up procedures in the months ahead.

Kimmel went on to defend Obamacare, specifically its protections for people with preexisting conditions. “Before 2014 [when Obamacare went into effect], if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you’d never be able to get health insurance because you had a preexisting condition,” he said. “If your baby is going to die and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that whether you’re a Republican or Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?”

The audience certainly did.

Over on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Chris Pratt stopped by to promote Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. A mixtape of 1970s rock songs played a major role in the first Guardians, so Pratt explained that he decided to make a mixtape for his wife, Anna Faris, to use during their intimate encounters. Unfortunately, though, Faris was not as into it as he had hoped. “I could tell right away,” Pratt said. “Big miss. Big miss.”

When it comes to late-night television, Jimmy Kimmel is best known for his sharp humor, political satire, and emotional monologues. But in one of the most moving moments of his career, the comedian took a break from the jokes and delivered a deeply personal story: the terrifying health scare his newborn son, Billy, faced just days after birth.

On the May 1, 2017 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host opened his show with tears in his eyes and his voice trembling. What followed was a powerful, seven-minute monologue that transcended entertainment — a raw and honest look at the fear, vulnerability, and gratitude that come with being a parent.

A Joyful Beginning — Then Sudden Panic

Kimmel began the monologue by joyfully announcing the birth of his son, William “Billy” Kimmel, born on April 21, 2017. But just three hours after delivery, what should have been one of the happiest moments of his life took a sudden turn.

A nurse noticed something was off — Billy looked slightly purple. Doctors quickly ran tests and discovered he was born with a congenital heart defect: tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a rare and serious condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

“It was the longest three hours of my life,” Kimmel said, recounting the moment the medical team told him and his wife, Molly McNearney, that their son would need open-heart surgery — and soon.

Emergency Surgery at Just 3 Days Old

Billy was transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he underwent open-heart surgery at just three days old. Kimmel described the experience with heartbreaking honesty, detailing the emotional whiplash of watching his newborn son taken into surgery before they’d even brought him home.

“It’s a terrifying thing,” Kimmel told his audience. “You know, my wife is back in the hospital recovering, and she has to hear that her baby is being wheeled away to another hospital.”

The surgery was successful, but it was just the first of multiple procedures Billy would eventually need. Kimmel praised the doctors and nurses at CHLA for their expertise and compassion, saying they “saved his life.”

Gratitude and Advocacy

While recounting the story, Kimmel made it clear how grateful he was — not just to the medical team, but to the American healthcare system. He pivoted from personal storytelling to passionate advocacy, addressing the importance of access to affordable healthcare for all families.

“No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child’s life,” he said, fighting through tears.

He went on to thank the countless families who live through similar (and often worse) experiences, especially those who don’t have the resources or insurance coverage to get their children the care they need. His story struck a national chord, as it came during a time of heated political debate about the future of the Affordable Care Act.

A Viral Moment That Moved the Nation

Kimmel’s monologue quickly went viral, amassing millions of views online and prompting waves of support from viewers, politicians, celebrities, and medical professionals. But it also sparked important conversations — about healthcare policy, pre-existing conditions, and how quickly life can change in the blink of an eye.

For Kimmel, the response was both overwhelming and comforting. In follow-up interviews, he shared that he received thousands of letters from parents who had gone through similar experiences — many of them thanking him for using his platform to raise awareness.

Billy’s Ongoing Journey

In the years since that emotional night, Kimmel has occasionally updated fans on Billy’s progress. He’s undergone additional heart procedures, as expected, and continues to receive regular checkups. Despite his difficult start to life, Billy is now thriving — a happy, energetic child with a bright spirit and a contagious smile.

Kimmel often posts about his son with a mix of humor and tenderness, celebrating each milestone as a gift. On Billy’s birthdays, he uses the moment to raise funds for children’s hospitals and pediatric research, continuing the advocacy he began in that unforgettable monologue.

“Billy turns [x] today,” he wrote in one recent post, “and he’s strong, sweet, and full of energy. We’re so grateful — and forever in awe of the doctors who made it possible.”

A Lasting Legacy

Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to speak so openly about his son’s health was more than a moment of personal vulnerability — it was a turning point in how late-night television could be used as a platform for real-world impact.

In sharing his family’s fear, hope, and gratitude, Kimmel reminded viewers that behind every political debate or healthcare statistic are real people — and real children — whose lives hang in the balance.

Bottom Line: Jimmy Kimmel’s heartfelt story about his son Billy’s heart condition moved millions — not just because of the emotional weight, but because it spotlighted something all parents can relate to: the desperate hope that your child will be okay, and the gratitude when they are. Through that experience, Kimmel became more than a comedian or a host. He became an advocate. And, most of all, a father with a story worth telling.