Jimmy Kimmel emotionally describes how his infant son almost died last week from a pre-existing condition

Jimmy Kimmel describes how his son nearly died right after birth
(Image credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live)

Jimmy Kimmel's wife, Molly, gave birth to their second child last week, and William (Billy) Kimmel had a serious heart disease. "I try not to get emotional, but it was a scary story," Kimmel said on Monday's Kimmel Live. "And before I go into it, I want you to know it has a happy ending, okay? So when I'm telling this, don't get too upset — leave that to me." Kimmel choked up several times telling how Billy's heart problems were discovered and the extraordinary steps the nurses and doctors at Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles took to save his son's life.

Kimmel thanked lots of people, and he threw in some humor, including a nod to his most famous celebrity feud. "We had atheists praying for us," he said. "We had people who do not believe in God praying to Him. And I hate to even say it: Even that son of a bitch Matt Damon sent flowers." But in the last few minutes, he dove into the fights over health care gripping Washington, and he tried to do it as a father and a human being.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.