Jimmy Kimmel’s Emotional Update on Son Billy’s Health Journey

Jimmy Kimmel‘s heart is full.

Approximately a year has passed since their son Billy Kimmel, who is married to Molly McNearney, underwent his third open heart surgery. The late-night talk show host recently revealed exclusively to TopMob News that the 7-year-old is now in excellent health.

Jimmy exclaimed at the Keep Memory Alive’s Power of Love Gala in Las Vegas on February 22, “Billy is on the verge of his eighth birthday! He’s thriving well and is in excellent health.

In my eyes, being recognized at that glamorous fundraiser was truly heartwarming. Not just any event, it’s a star-studded affair that supports the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health – a cause close to home in Nevada. Tune into TopMob News tonight, February 24th, at 11 p.m., to catch more of my thoughts on this incredible honor.

Previously, Jimmy had experienced a tremendous amount of compassion from the healthcare community while his son was going through a tough health situation. As a father to 10-year-old Jane Kimmel with Molly, along with older children Katie Kimmel, 33, and Kevin Kimmel, 31, from his previous marriage with Gina Maddy, Jimmy felt it was important to extend the kindness he received to another worthy cause.

Jimmy elaborated, “When someone says, ‘We’re praying for your child,’ it carries a special weight. People often use such phrases casually, but when it’s about you or your loved ones, it takes on a deeper significance.

Highlighting the significance of standing together, he noted, “It’s incredibly valuable to find a place where they’re leading the charge in solving these complex issues related to the brain. Ideally, this will lead to finding cures for the devastating brain-related diseases and conditions that so many people are suffering from.

In 2017, just three hours after being born, the comedian’s son was identified with a seldom-encountered congenital heart issue. This necessitated an immediate surgical intervention, making him undergo his initial surgery as a newborn.

Jimmy shared on his talk show in May 2017, “Those three hours felt like an eternity for me,” referring to a particularly challenging experience he had. “He’ll need to undergo another open-heart surgery within the next three to six months.

In December, Billy experienced his second surgical procedure. By May 2023, he had undergone a third operation, during which a replacement valve was implanted into his heart.

Last year, Jimmy shared on Instagram, “Strolling through this hospital, encountering parents at their most exposed, kids in distress, and the extraordinary individuals tirelessly working to heal them, leaves me profoundly moved.

He mentioned, “I’d like to express gratitude towards the kind-hearted strangers who spared their time to offer prayers and send out positive vibes for our little one.

For more celebrities speaking out about their harrowing health journeys, keep reading.

—Reporting by Rachel Smith

In February 2025, the former star of “Even Stevens” revealed that she had been accidentally shot in the face during a trip to go clay pigeon shooting, which was meant to celebrate her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday.

I was with another group who accidentally fired their weapon in the wrong direction, striking me in the face. Instantly, @thebrendanrooney took charge, examined me, and whisked me off to the hospital. I was hit in five spots, one of which was just a narrow miss from hitting my right eye directly.

The former star of “Kim Possible” added, “Regrettably, a piece became stuck near my eye, and it’s not safe to extract it through surgery right now. My doctors are keeping a close watch on me as I can see fine for now.

She expressed her gratitude for still being alive, stating, “I hold a deep affection for my daughters, husband, family, and friends. A moment ago, it felt as if I was glimpsing my entire life. Let me tell you, cherish the people close to you whenever possible. Life, in an instant, can take unexpected turns.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: “I’ve found myself appreciating the internet more than usual lately. After a wave of interviews, I felt the need to calm everyone down, but surprisingly, it wasn’t just fans offering opinions about my appearance. Medical professionals chimed in, expressing concern about what they thought was Cushing syndrome due to an unusual change in my face. Initially, I chuckled at being trolled by doctors, but then I realized the gravity of their concerns. Upon further investigation, it turned out that the steroid injections I’d been receiving for my scars had unintentionally caused this condition, known as Cushing syndrome. If it weren’t for the internet’s scrutiny, I might not have discovered this health issue. Now, I’m just grateful to know that I’m okay and that the type of Cushing I have will eventually resolve itself.

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber endured a truly terrifying incident during breakfast with her husband Justin Bieber. She began experiencing symptoms similar to a stroke, leaving her unable to respond or speak properly. As she recounted a month later on YouTube, her right side of the face drooped and she couldn’t form a sentence.

Justin asked if she was okay, but Hailey, who is the founder of Rhode skincare, didn’t respond initially because she wasn’t sure. When he inquired again, she attempted to speak but couldn’t. Fortunately, the facial drooping stopped, and her speech returned; however, she decided to visit the hospital for a check-up.

The doctors discovered that Hailey had experienced a small blood clot in her brain, which they classified as a TIA or Transient Ischemic Attack. Further examination at UCLA revealed that Hailey had a hole in her heart known as patent foramen ovale (PFO). It was determined that the blood clot had traveled through this hole into her heart, escaped and moved to her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey underwent a successful PFO closure procedure and is now feeling well.

In the same year as Hailey’s health crisis, Justin Bieber also encountered a health issue of his own. Specifically, in June 2022, Justin was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which led to temporary paralysis in parts of his face and caused him to cancel the rest of his Justice World Tour. As he explained on Instagram, this condition resulted from a virus that attacked the nerve in his ear and facial nerves, leading to full paralysis on one side of his face. At the time, he was unable to blink or smile from that side, and even found it difficult to eat. However, after some time, the paralysis subsided, and Hailey reported that he was recovering well. On a June 2022 episode of Good Morning America, she said, “He’s doing really well… He’s feeling a lot better.” She also expressed her gratitude that he was okay overall.

Initially, Jamie Foxx chose not to disclose the details of his hospitalization in April 2023. However, during his 2024 Netflix special titled What Had Happened Was…, he shared his experience. One day in Atlanta, he complained of a severe headache and asked for an aspirin. Before he could get it, he fainted and lost consciousness for approximately 20 days.

Upon visiting a doctor, Foxx was given a cortisone shot and sent home. His sister, Deidra Dixon, then took him to another hospital where they discovered that he had suffered a brain bleed leading to a stroke. After undergoing surgery on the 20th day, Foxx woke up in a wheelchair unable to walk. He subsequently traveled to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

“I want to express my gratitude for every prayer,” said Foxx, “as I truly needed each one.

Emilia Clarke, famously known for her role in Game of Thrones, filmed intense battle scenes. However, in 2019, she penned an essay titled “A Battle for My Life” in The New Yorker. In her own words, she described a harrowing experience at the gym where she was struck by a severe headache. Upon reaching the toilet, she fell ill violently and the pain intensified. She realized that her brain was injured.

Rushed to the hospital for a scan, she was told she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a dangerous type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. She had an aneurysm, a ruptured artery. The pain during surgery to seal the aneurysm was unbearable. Recovering, she also experienced aphasia and spoke nonsensically.

A week later, her aphasia subsided, and she left the hospital after a month’s stay. However, in 2013, a growth from her earlier surgery had doubled in size, necessitating another operation. Upon waking up, she was in agony as the procedure had failed. The doctors informed her that her chances of survival were slim if they didn’t operate again. This time, they needed to access her brain through the traditional method – her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia is now fully recovered and well.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, expressed her gratitude towards her family following a severe stroke in January 2024. In the aftermath, her loved ones swiftly responded and stood by her side. Upon realizing she had experienced a stroke, she reached out to them via text, sending a photograph as well. As a result, everyone rallied to her aid.

Due to additional health complications, Cori’s hospital stay extended beyond what was initially anticipated. “I could have been discharged after the stroke,” she explained during an interview with TopMob News correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024. “However, my lupus wasn’t doing well, and my kidneys were failing. It was a challenging time.”

Today, Cori is making progress towards recovery. “I’m feeling good,” she stated. “I just needed to regain some motor skills, but otherwise, I was okay.

In her twenties, Shailene Woodley‘s health faced numerous challenges. She recalled, “My hearing started to fade, walking for even five minutes was exhausting, and I had to rest for hours afterward. Everything I ate caused discomfort in my stomach.” This complex health issue saw various diagnoses from different doctors.

Undeterred, Shailene chose not to disclose the specific condition, instead opting to seek solutions. She explained, “Being rooted in holistic practices and herbalism, I decided to collaborate with both conventional medical professionals and independent healers.” This quest for wellness spanned a decade.

During this period, Shailene also grappled with the emotional repercussions of her physical discomfort. She noted, “As food became a source of fear due to its impact on my stomach, I developed a fear of food itself. This led to mental struggles such as body dysmorphia, identity confusion, and feelings of insecurity about my own body.”

However, after addressing both her physical and mental health concerns, Shailene now feels much improved. She shared, “Thankfully, this journey eventually led to a resolution of my physical health issues, and I am now in excellent health.

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2025-02-25 01:20

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