Jimmy Fallon’s Early Life and Education:
Jimmy Fallon is an American comedian, talk show host, and author who was born in New York City, New York, on September 19, 1974. His exuberant presence on the sketch comedy program Saturday Night Live (SNL; 1998–2004) initially attracted popular attention. Later, he hosted The Tonight Show (2014–present) and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–2014). Fallon wed Nancy Juvonen, a film producer, in 2007. The two have two daughters together.
Jimmy Fallon attended the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, but left early to pursue a career in comedy in Los Angeles. But a few years later, he relocated to New York City to try out for Saturday Night Live, where he was cast in 1998. The SNL format turned out to be the ideal setting for Fallon’s humorous observations.
He created iconic personas like Nick Burns, an egotistical computer specialist, and Jarret the Stoner by routinely impersonating celebrities. Fallon co-hosted the well-liked “Weekend Update” section with fellow comic Tina Fey over his last four seasons on the program. As co-anchors, they combined cutting comedy with current events.
Jimmy Fallon quit Saturday Night Live in 2004 to pursue a career in film. He starred in the romantic comedy Fever Pitch (2005), the comedy Taxi (2004), the drama Factory Girl (2006), and the comedy-drama Whip It (2009). Even though he didn’t succeed at the box office, he eventually turned his attention back to television. Fallon nevertheless kept making sporadic cameos in movies, such as Jack in Time for Christmas (2024) and himself in Spirited (2022).
Jimmy Fallon took Conan O’Brien’s place as Late Night host in March 2009. Comedy sketches, impressions, musical performances (often featuring Fallon’s own guitar playing), famous guests, and engaging one-on-one interviews were all part of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Fallon’s excitement and vitality were infectious. Most famously, U.S. President Barack Obama joined him in “Slow Jam the News,” a section in which headlines were read over a smooth, funky beat, after he convinced visitors to participate in inventive and unusual parts.
Jimmy Fallon replaced Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show in February 2014, assuming one of the most sought-after positions in late-night television. Fallon was the sixth host of this legendary show, which debuted in 1954. The Tonight Show transferred from Burbank, California, where former host Johnny Carson had moved it in 1972, to Rockefeller Center in New York City at Fallon’s request. Carson had previously utilized the same studio. Alongside Fallon were his house band, the hip-hop group The Roots, and his longtime executive producer Lorne Michaels.
Jimmy Fallon also made cameos in a number of TV shows at this time, frequently portraying himself. These included Fleishman Is in Trouble, Only Murders in the Building, Gossip Girl, and 30 Rock. Fallon developed a significant social media following outside of his hosting responsibilities. He gained millions of Twitter followers, and a number of the videos he made with famous people went viral on YouTube.
In addition, he wrote a number of children’s books, such as Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada (2015), Everything Is Mama (2017), This Is Baby (2019), and Five More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween (2024). In 2012 and 2014, Fallon’s hosting of Saturday Night Live earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor. He debuted on Broadway in 2025 in All In: Comedy About Love, a limited-run show with a rotating ensemble of actors that was based on Simon Rich’s short writings.