Originally appeared on E! Online
Jimmy Kimmel gives an update on his son Billy Kimmel.
Over Memorial Day weekend, the late-night host and his wife Molly McNearney’s 7-year-old child underwent his third and hopefully final open heart surgery.
“We approached this experience with a lot of optimism,” Kimmel wrote on Instagram on May 27 alongside a photo of Billy in the hospital, “and almost as much fear and we came out with a new valve at a happy and healthy child.”
After thanking the staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Kimmel, who also shares daughter Jane, 9, with Molly, as well as children Katie, 32, and Kevin, 30, with ex Gina Kimmel , reflected further on his experience.
“Walking through this hospital,” he continued, “meeting parents in their most vulnerable state, children in pain and miracle workers doing everything in their power to save them is an experience humiliating.”
“Thank you to these loving strangers who took the time to pray for our baby and send him positive energy,” Kimmel added, “thank you to our family and friends for rallying behind us to an almost ridiculous extent , thanks to my wife Molly for being stronger than any mom is reasonable to be and Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year old we have knowledge.
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Kimmel, 56, and Molly, 46, first shared their son’s health journey in 2017, when the couple learned Billy was born with heart defects requiring immediate surgery.
Since then, they have continued to keep fans updated on his progress.
“He’s doing great. He’s a very funny kid,” Kimmel told E! News in October 2022. “He loves Spiderman, jumping on my head and doing all the things we tell him not to do.”
After sharing the news of Billy’s latest surgery, the Kimmel family received an outpouring of well-wishes from fans and friends, including John Stamos.
“God bless your little Billy,” the Full House alum, who also has a son named Billy, commented on his friend’s post. “He is lucky to have parents like you and also to benefit from the good care of the good people at CHLA.”
Actress Uzo Aduba also commented: “One more thing to enjoy and celebrate this weekend. Love to see it,” while Justin Theroux wrote: “Well done Billy.”
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