Who is Jimmy Kimmel’s TV writer wife Molly McNearney? Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s executive producer works on the Oscars and Emmys, is pals with Jennifer Aniston, and shares 2 kids with the talk show host

Mar 11 , 2024

Oscars dream team: meet Jimmy Kimmel’s wife Molly McNearney, who produced the Academy Awards ceremony. Photo: @jimmykimmel/Instagram

It’s Oscars time again! Whatever you think of this year’s Academy Award winners, one couple have been more central to proceedings than you might think – and that’s Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney.

Molly McNearney is a key player behind the scenes in Hollywood. Photo: @jimmykimmel/Instagram

That’s because not only is Kimmel the show’s suave onstage host at the Dolby Theatre, but because McNearney is executive producing the feel-good event for the fourth time as well, according to the Associated Press.

“We’re really excited about this year,” she told the news outlet prior to the ceremony, “It’s a phenomenal year of movies. And we have great movies that the home audience is familiar with, which makes our jobs easier.”

Here’s what we know about Jimmy Kimmel’s talented wife, who’s been working hard behind the scenes:

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Molly McNearney is a TV writer and producer

Molly McNearney has executive produced the Oscars four times now. Photo: @jimmykimmel/Instagram

McNearney, 46, is something of a Hollywood stalwart. Per People, she is the executive producer and co-head writer at Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Other live events she’s worked on include the Primetime Emmy Awards and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. People magazine also reports that McNearney is pals with Friends actress Jennifer Aniston, among other big names.

How did Jimmy Kimmel meet Molly McNearney?

Molly McNearney has two children with Jimmy Kimmel, and he also has two children from his previous relationship. Photo: @jimmykimmel/Instagram

According to Today, Kimmel and McNearney met while working on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. “When I first met him, he insulted me,” she told Glamour magazine in 2010. “The executive producer brought me into his office and said, ‘This is Molly; she’s my new assistant.’ Jimmy barely looked up from his desk until my EP said, ‘She competes in triathlons,’ and then Jimmy looked up at me and said, ‘That is really stupid! What a waste of time.’”

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How long has Jimmy Kimmel been married to Molly?

They’ve been married for just over a decade. Today reports that the couple tied the knot in 2013, in Ojai, California, with A-list guests including Ben Affleck, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski all present. Kimmel was previously married to Gina Maddy from 1988 to 2003, with whom he shares two children.

How many children do Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney have?

The Kimmel family set up a lemonade stand for charity last September. Photo: @jimmykimmel/Instagram

The couple have two children together: daughter Jane and son William “Billy” John, per People. Billy was born with a congenital heart condition and went through three heart surgeries after his birth. “Kids are so resilient – he had open-heart surgery on a Monday and we were home on Friday,” McNearney said in an appearance on Anna Faris’ Unqualified podcast.

Fame and celebrity

Jimmy Kimmel may be the frontman for this year’s Oscars ceremony, but he had some help from his wife, Molly McNearney, who is executive producing the starry show for the fourth time
Kimmel and McNearney met at work and got married in 2013 in front of several A-listers, including Ben Affleck, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski