Ellen DeGeneres Surprises Jimmy Kimmel with Tribute to Son Billy — and Brings Him to Tears
February 27, 2018Ellen DeGeneres has a touching surprise for her good friend Jimmy Kimmel.
The late-night host makes an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of DeGeneres’ talk show, where she revealed she dedicated something special to his 10-month-old son William “Billy” John, who underwent two heart surgeries last year. (He suffers from a complex congenital heart condition known as tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.)
“We are friends, and I write to you a lot saying, ‘Once again, brilliant monologue,’ ” DeGeneres, 60, tells Kimmel, 50. “Everything you’re doing on the show — you’re using your voice for good, and you’re saying a lot of important things.”
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Jimmy Kimmel and son Billy
Jimmy Kimmel Live
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“You’re such a great guy, and that was so emotional, to see you go through that,” she adds. “You get very emotional, and I love that about you.”
Kimmel thanks the host for her support — and for raising $1 million, with the help of her viewers, for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where Billy underwent surgery.
Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres
Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.
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But that’s not all DeGeneres had in store for Kimmel — she actually had one of the rooms in the Heart Institute at the Children’s Hospital named in honor of Billy.
“Thank you very much,” Kimmel says after a picture of the plaque is revealed, visibly moved to tears. “It means a lot to me.”
“Well, I love you and [your wife] Molly,” says DeGeneres, before asking if Kimmel’s 3½-year-old daughter Jane is still as big of a Finding Dory fan as she used to be.
“Sadly, she’s moved on to PAW Patrol,” Kimmel quips.