Jimmy Kimmel has returned to his late-night post with a very special co-host: his son, William ‘Billy’ John.
The funnyman announced last week that he would be taking some time away from his eponymous show, after his son had another round of heart surgery. But now that the seven-month-old has recovered, they were both able to take stage.
“I was out last week because this guy had heart surgery. But look he’s fine everybody, he may have pooped but he’s fine,” he said during the emotional appearance. “Daddy cries on TV but Billy doesn’t…it’s unbelievable.”
He assured viewers that his darling little boy was doing well, joking that doctors say he’s “probably on track to win at least a bronze medal in the Olympics in 2036.”
The 50-year-old went on to urge US Congress to restore “a life and death program” known as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
“Parents of children with cancer, diabetes, and heart problems, are about to get letters saying their coverage may be cut off next month. Merry Christmas, right?” he said, before adding: “Imagine getting that letter, literally not knowing how you’ll be able to afford to save your child’s life. This is not a hypothetical — about two million CHIP kids have serious chronic conditions.”
The talk show host accused politicians of putting a tax cut for the rich above a children’s health insurance program and urged viewers to take action.
“I don’t know about you, I’ve had enough of this. I don’t know what could be more disgusting than putting a tax cut that mostly goes to rich people ahead of the lives of children.”
Our hearts!
In May, Jimmy revealed on his hugely-successful show that his son was born with a serious but treatable heart condition.
Choking back tears, he told the very real and “scary” story of how his little son needed to undergo emergency open-heart surgery just days after his birth.
“A little over a week ago, on Friday, April 21st, my wife, Molly, gave birth to a baby boy. His name is William John Kimmel,” he said, struggling not to cry.
“We call him Billy. He was an easy delivery – only six pushes out. He appeared to be a normal, healthy baby until about three hours after he was born.”
WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel talks about his son’s health battle. Post continues…
Jimmy then went on to describe the fear he felt as his son underwent life-saving surgery.
“On Monday morning, Dr. Vaughn Starnes opened his chest and fixed one of the two defects in his heart,” Jimmy explained, in tears.
“He went in there with a scalpel and did some kind of magic that I couldn’t even begin to explain.”
“He opened the valve, and the operation was a success. It was the longest three hours of my life.”
Thankfully, it appears things are finally starting to look up for the young family!
