On Tuesday night’s installment of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host Jimmy Kimmel couldn’t hold back tears as he paid tribute to his idol, David Letterman.
Kimmel explained that he had crafted his life around his passion for Letterman’s comedy, and that without Letterman’s interest in him as a young comedian, he never would have achieved the status he has today.
On his 16th birthday, Kimmel received a “Late Night with David Letterman,” cake. He would hold viewing parties of Letterman’s show, and even got a Letterman tribute on the vanity plate of his first car.
“I learned almost nothing in college, but watching late night…I learned how to do almost everything from Dave,” Kimmel said.
Kimmel then broke down in tears by explaining that it was Dave’s executives that believed he could have a big future in comedy.
In contrast to other hosts, Kimmel did the unthinkable by imploring his audience to tune in to Letterman’s final show.
“Please watch it, especially if you’re a young person who doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about…Dave’s the best, and you should see him,” Kimmel said, while choking back tears.