Jimmy Kimmel reveals his pay for hosting Oscars
Jimmy Kimmel has nothing to hide when it comes to his compensation for hosting the Oscars this year.
The talk show host discussed his upcoming debut as the award show’s MC on KROQ’s Kevin & Bean morning show Wednesday, where he revealed he’ll be hauling in $15,000 for the gig, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Seemingly unimpressed with the relatively modest figure, the Jimmy Kimmel Live!host added, “You know why? I think it’s illegal to pay nothing.”
Asked if his pay is on par with famous past hosts like Billy Crystal and Chris Rock, Kimmel replied “that’s what they told me.”
At one point, he wondered if he was allowed to divulge salary details with the public. “I’m not sure I was supposed to reveal this,” he said with a laugh. “But nobody told me not to. I consider this their fault.”
Kimmel, who was announced as the Oscars host on Dec. 5, also admitted he was surprised to get the nod. “They asked like 14 people and they all said no and then there was me,” he joked. “I absolutely was surprised.”
The 89th Annual Academy Awards air Feb. 26 on ABC.