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Gavin Patrick
BY GAVIN PATRICK / Multimedia Journalist
I love a good top-5 list, but there’s no other way to start this than by wishing my all-time favorite comedian, the best late-night host, the funniest impressionist and the Grammy-winning musician – Jimmy Fallon – a happy belated 50th birthday!
That’s right. On Sept. 19, Jimmy Fallon celebrated his 50th birthday by once again bringing us joy. Per usual, he was on NBC at 10:35 p.m. hosting “The Tonight Show,” and he used the platform to detail some of his favorite moments from his big day, with the usual jokes mixed in between.
“I can tell I’m 50 because I read my birthday texts all day without realizing my flashlight was on,” Fallon said during his monologue.
Earlier that day, Fallon took to his X and Instagram accounts to share a heartfelt message about turning 50.
Fallon even threw in a rare throwback photo in the post – picturing what some might call Baby Jimmy – allowing a moment to look back at the place he came from.
Fallon also acknowledged that he was giving back to three charitable food organizations: Feeding America, Long Island Cares and Bridgehampton Food Pantry – yet another demonstration of his generosity and kindness.
Even at 50, if you ask most, Fallon has maintained a youthful appearance and will always be a child at heart. It’s part of why “The Tonight Show” host and “Saturday Night Live” icon is so beloved.
In fact, Fallon is so appreciated that this isn’t even the first listicle that’s been written to honor his 50th birthday. (See People and Hindustan Times.) There’s never enough good things to say about Jimmy Fallon, but I’m gonna try.
Here’s a good start, at least.
1. He gets along with everyone.
I can’t count how many times Fallon has had a first-time guest on “The Tonight Show” and made it seem like he’s known them for years. It’s a gift that not a lot of people have, and it’s part of why he’s been able to build a good rapport with so many celebrities.
It helps that he’s an easy laugh, too, which has shown to put certain guests at ease and show reassurance that he appreciates them. Fallon is possibly the most genuine TV host there is, and it’s easy to see why he makes so many friends.
2. The wild games and sketches.
This is how Fallon came to revolutionize late-night TV.
His show goes way beyond monologues and interviews, and some of the bits have to be seen to be believed. No one has more fun on TV than Fallon does.
From recurring bits like “Wheel of Musical Impressions,” “Ew!” and “Mad Lib Theater,” along with one-timers designed to fit a certain guest, like “Claw Machine Challenge” with Hugh Jackman, the antics just get more and more ridiculous and entertaining.
Wheel of Musical Impressions with Jamie Foxx
"Ew!" with Zoë Kravitz and Sabrina Carpenter | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Mad Lib Theater with Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible Edition)
3. His bromance with Justin Timberlake.
Fallon’s friendship with Justin Timberlake has been well documented since the two first met backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2002. And yes, it’s more than a typical friendship.
The “Prince of Pop” and (essentially) the Prince of Comedy have joined forces to create countless LOL moments over the span of two decades. There’s barely even a good place to start besides just flooding this page with videos of their antics (which I will gladly do below).
What essentially announced Fallon and JT’s bromance to the world, though, was when they came out as Barry and Robin Gibb for the “SNL” sketch “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” in October of 2003. The sketch was an instant hit and has been repeated six times since then, most recently in January of 2024.
Fallon and Timberlake have spent plenty of time together outside of the spotlight, too, and their bromance is still going strong today.
(Btw: let’s coin the nickname “Prince of Comedy” for Jimmy Fallon, shall we?)
The Best of Justin Timberlake on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Playlist Playoff with Justin Timberlake (Extended) | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Read Sweet Tweets About Each Other
4. His musical prowess.
Never forget: Jimmy can sing, too. There’s never been a long period of time that’s gone by on “The Tonight Show” without Fallon getting behind the mic.
A lot of times, the act involves an impression of someone. Whether it's OGs like Mick Jagger, Michael McDonald or Bob Dylan or a more recent artist like Dave Matthews, Fallon always has something up his sleeve.
Although I wasn’t alive for it, I’ll never forget Fallon’s opening act at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards when he pulled out impressions of seemingly every artist in the house that night. It's one of the most legendary VMA performances ever – at least in my book.
In fact, Fallon's musical prowess is so strong that he won a Grammy in 2013 for his comedy album “Blow Your Pants Off.” And get this: his first holiday comedy album, titled “Holiday Seasoning,” comes out Nov. 1. Still going strong at 50.
Jimmy Fallon Pranks the Coaches | The Voice Blind Auditions | NBC
Jimmy Fallon Pranks the Coaches with Tony Bennett's "(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco" | The Voice
5. The jokes!
I waited to state the obvious at the end, but yes: Jimmy Fallon is a pretty funny guy, as you’ve already seen throughout this page.
We all know about his monologues on “The Tonight Show” and his signature bit “Thank You Notes,” so to wrap up, here’s some of Fallon’s best zingers from his birthday week (Sept. 12-19)
“Thank you, people who say ‘you’re gonna love this story’ before telling a story, for warning me that I better be ready to fake laugh.” (From Sept. 12)
“Thank you, butternut squash and spaghetti squash, for being how I pack my suitcase before vacation and how I pack after vacation.” (From Sept. 12)
“Everyone loves fall. Today, Vice President Harris dropped President Biden off at a corn maze and let him wander around.” (From Sept. 16)
“TikTok went to federal court to argue against being banned in the U.S. I think I know which way one judge is leaning because before the hearing, he posted a ‘get ready with me’ video putting on his robe.”
“Yeah, TikTok made their case, and if you missed it, you can see it next week on Instagram Reels.” (From Sept. 16)
“I saw that today is National Voter Registration Day. All I know is if Swifties took down Ticketmaster, vote.gov is doomed.” (From Sept. 17)
“Tonight was the premiere of the first ever season of ‘The Golden Bachelorette.’ It features 24 senior men looking for love… The line for the bathroom at 3 a.m. is gonna look like a halftime at an Eagles game.” (Sept. 18)
“I’d also like to thank NBC [for their birthday wishes], they were very kind. They sent a card that said, ‘We’d love to get you a gift but our budget was used up on Snoop Dogg going to the Olympics.’” (Sept. 19)
Happy 50th, Jimmy!
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