Gina Kimmel Is a Costume Designer & Jimmy Kimmel’s Ex-wife
Gina Kimmel, who was once married to Jimmy Kimmel, used to work behind the scenes in a few TV shows. She also supported her ex-husband during his early rise to Hollywood fame.
During their decades-long marriage, Gina Kimmel witnessed TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel's early successes in the entertainment world before parting ways in the early 2000s.
While her ex-husband found love anew, Gina has maintained a relatively private life. She has worked in the entertainment industry and carved out her niche in vintage fashion after working in costume design.
Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gina Kimmel Was Married to Her Ex-husband for 14 Years
Gina was Jimmy's college sweetheart and became his wife on June 25, 1988. Gina supported his radio career and his hosting gigs on television shows like "The Man Show" and Fox's Sunday NFL pregame show in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2002, Gina's then-husband successfully created the puppet show "Crank Yankers" on Comedy Central through his production company, Jackhole Industries.
Meredith Estess, Gina Kimmel, and Caroline Rhea at the Annual Project A.L.S. Gala honoring Ben Stiller at Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa on May 6, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
However, as Jimmy thrived in the industry, especially with the debut of his self-titled late-night show on ABC, their marriage faced challenges. Gina filed for a divorce in 2003.
During their 14 years of marriage, the couple became parents to two children: daughter Katie, born in August 1991, and son Kevin, whom they welcomed in September 1993.
Jimmy Kimmel at the premiere of truTV's "Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters" at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on July 11, 2018, in California. | Source: Getty Images
Inside Gina Kimmel's Creative Pursuits
Gina maintains an Instagram page and a Facebook account, although her Instagram page is private. On Facebook, she has posted about her professional endeavors.
A Harper College fashion design graduate, Gina once posted a photo of 1930s pajamas and announced that her business, Maddy James Vintage Inspired Loungewear, is finally up for "pre-sale."
She showcased her vintage sleepwear line on Kickstarter, featuring multiple models wearing the collection. Gina shared on the website the inspiration behind it:
"I used my costuming background to look not to the future but the past for it was my grandmother's era and beyond who really knew how to dress for bed. Those tomatoes really had style."
Before venturing into her own business, Gina had worked as a designer in the costume department for the 2012 TV movies "Party Like the Rich and Famous" and "Party Like the Queen of France."
Gina Kimmel's Status since the Divorce
Gina took photos of a man named Chris Jones on her Facebook page. He is an American veteran from Fall River, Massachusetts, and a Jacksonville State University graduate. In one of the photos, Gina called Chris "the love of my life" in 2016.
The year prior, she shared a younger photo of him in service uniform with the caption, "Big thanks to my honey." Meanwhile, Chris's most recent picture with Gina was in 2021.
As for Gina's ex-husband, he has flourished in his relationship. Jimmy has been married to his second and current wife, Molly McNearney, since 2013, after a five-year relationship with his ex-partner Sarah Silverman.
Jimmy and his wife's wedding ceremony in Ojai, California, was star-studded, with numerous celebrities in attendance. Their guests were actors Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, John Krasinski, and actress Emily Blunt.