SHOCKING EXIT: Jimmy Kimmel Announces END of His Show & Bids Farewell to America – “I’m Moving to Canada and NEVER Coming Back!”

Los Angeles, CA – June 26, 2025

In a move that has stunned Hollywood and viewers across the country, late-night veteran Jimmy Kimmel announced on-air last night that he will be ending Jimmy Kimmel Live! and permanently relocating to Canada — a decision he described as final and non-negotiable.

“I’m moving to Canada and I’m never coming back,” Kimmel told a visibly emotional studio audience during his monologue, pausing multiple times to gather himself. “This is not a joke, not a stunt, not a season finale. This is it.”

The announcement sent immediate shockwaves through the entertainment industry, social media, and long-time fans of the show, many of whom have tuned in faithfully for over two decades. Kimmel’s departure signals the end of an era for American late-night television, a space he has helped shape since the show’s debut in January 2003.

A Sudden Farewell – But a Long Time Coming?

While the announcement caught many by surprise, those close to Kimmel say the signs have been there for months. According to a senior producer at ABC who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Jimmy’s been burned out for a while. He’s been quietly talking about walking away. But none of us thought it would be this abrupt — or this permanent.”

Indeed, in recent months, Kimmel had hinted during interviews and live tapings that he was “re-evaluating” his relationship with Hollywood, the industry’s direction, and even American politics. “It’s just gotten too toxic,” he said during a March appearance on The Daily Show. “There’s no space for satire anymore — it’s either outrage or silence.”

In last night’s monologue, Kimmel didn’t hold back.

“I’ve given 22 years to this chair, to this city, to this country,” he said, visibly tearing up. “But lately, I feel like we’re not laughing together anymore — we’re yelling, we’re fighting, we’re exhausted. And frankly, so am I.”

Why Canada?

Kimmel explained that his decision to move to Canada was rooted in a desire for peace, anonymity, and a more “functional society.”

“There’s something about the way Canadians treat each other — the way they disagree without declaring war. I want to live in a place where my kids can go to school without active shooter drills. I want to walk down the street and not worry about what flag someone thinks I should salute. I just want out.”

He added, half-jokingly, “And also — healthcare that doesn’t feel like a hostage negotiation.”

Though he didn’t name a specific city, sources close to Kimmel say he and his wife, Molly McNearney, have already purchased property near Vancouver and plan to relocate before the end of summer. The couple’s children are reportedly already enrolled in private schools in British Columbia.

The End of an Era

Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered on ABC in January 2003, launching the former Win Ben Stein’s Money co-host into national stardom. Over the years, the show built a loyal audience through its mix of political commentary, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and viral comedy skits — from “Mean Tweets” to the annual Halloween candy prank.

Kimmel’s influence has stretched far beyond entertainment. He was among the first late-night hosts to speak candidly about healthcare policy, gun violence, and the Trump presidency, often blending humor with heartfelt appeals. His tearful monologue in 2017, describing his newborn son’s open-heart surgery, became a flashpoint in the national debate over healthcare access.

“He redefined what late-night hosts could be,” said Emily Nussbaum, television critic and Pulitzer Prize winner. “He walked that tightrope between satire and sincerity. You could laugh at a joke about Mitch McConnell one minute, and be crying with him about his son the next.”

In a statement released late last night, ABC thanked Kimmel for “more than two decades of groundbreaking, fearless, and unforgettable television.” The network did not immediately announce a replacement or whether the show’s time slot would be restructured.

Reactions Pour In

Unsurprisingly, reactions from Hollywood and beyond were swift and emotional.

Ellen DeGeneres, who herself exited daytime TV in 2022, posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Jimmy, thank you for all the laughs and all the heart. Canada is lucky to have you.”

Stephen Colbert chimed in during his own broadcast, calling Kimmel’s decision “bold, brave, and heartbreakingly real.”

Even former President Barack Obama weighed in with a rare personal message: “Jimmy Kimmel has always used his voice for truth, empathy, and yes, hilarious takedowns. I’ll miss him. America will miss him. But I get it.”

Meanwhile, political commentators and pundits across the spectrum debated Kimmel’s exit as a cultural symbol. Some praised him for speaking out and making a personal stand, while others criticized him for “abandoning” the national conversation at a time when they say comedy is more essential than ever.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham remarked, “Let’s be clear: Jimmy Kimmel isn’t escaping America — he’s quitting it. Good riddance.”

Kimmel, however, anticipated the criticism. “They’ll say I’m running away,” he said on-air. “But I think of it as choosing sanity.”

What’s Next?

Though he ruled out returning to traditional American television, Kimmel left the door open for creative projects — on his own terms.

“I’m not disappearing forever,” he told viewers. “Maybe I’ll make weird documentaries, maybe I’ll write a children’s book, maybe I’ll just walk in the woods for the next five years. But I’m done with this hamster wheel.”

He ended the broadcast by thanking his team, his audience, and his family.

“I’m grateful for every laugh you’ve given me, every second you let me into your homes. It’s been an honor. Good night — and goodbye.”

As the final applause faded, the screen dimmed not to the usual upbeat theme music, but a silent montage of some of Kimmel’s most iconic moments — a man who made America laugh, think, and sometimes cry.

Whether Jimmy Kimmel’s move becomes a cultural domino or a singular exodus, one thing is clear: the face of late-night television will never be the same again.