Carson Daly, the beloved host of The Voice, just shared the shocking story of how Jimmy Kimmel helped launch his incredible career. In a candid interview with Seth Meyers, Daly opened up about how his chance encounter with Kimmel as a teenager set him on the path to becoming one of TV’s biggest stars. 
Before Daly was hosting multiple shows and making his mark on NBC, he was a young man with big dreams and a love for radio. It all started with an unforgettable encounter during a family vacation in Maui when Daly was only eight years old, and Kimmel was a high school graduate. Their paths would cross again when Kimmel was working as a radio host, and Daly had just dropped out of college to pursue a career in golf. Little did he know, that moment would change everything. 
Kimmel took Daly under his wing, offering him an internship at a small radio station in Palm Springs, which led to Daly discovering his passion for radio. Daly admits, “I owe everything I have to him.”
From Radio to TV: How Kimmel Shaped Daly’s Career
In the early ’90s, both Carson Daly and Jimmy Kimmel were carving out their places in the entertainment world. They worked together in radio before their TV careers took off. Kimmel became a co-host on Win Ben Stein’s Money while Daly was named the VJ on MTV, where he hosted Total Request Live starting in 1998. Their careers continued to evolve with Daly eventually launching Last Call with Carson Daly in 2002, and Kimmel hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003.
When Daly reminisced about their beginnings, he humorously reflected on how Kimmel had a big role in shaping his early career. Kimmel, known for his playful jabs, even joked about how Daly was “18 and needed some lessons” when he first began working with him. 
A Lifelong Friendship: Kimmel and Daly’s Bond
Despite the playful digs, Carson Daly and Jimmy Kimmel remain close friends to this day. Kimmel’s Instagram post in 2023 for Daly’s 50th birthday was an emotional tribute to their longstanding friendship. Kimmel wrote, “We met before we were old enough to legally drink these beers. I am proud of all you’ve accomplished… even prouder that you’ve become one of the best men I know.”
Their friendship not only survives, but thrives, showing the power of mentorship and how helping each other can shape incredible careers. With Daly’s success on The Voice and Kimmel’s late-night show, their bond continues to inspire those who aspire to reach the top.
What’s Next for Carson Daly? :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(803x477:805x479)/carson-daly-today-show-101223-1-4b55a5385fd14679ae7c273216b37229.jpg)
Now in his 27th season as the host of The Voice, Daly has recently introduced the Carson Callback Card—an exciting new twist that will give contestants a second chance to impress the judges. As the new season kicks off on September 23, this innovation promises to bring even more drama and excitement to the show.
Daly continues to make an impact in the world of entertainment, but it’s clear that without Jimmy Kimmel’s support, his journey might have been entirely different.
Source: Daily Mail
