Jimmy Kimmel Reveals His Pay for Hosting the Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that he is only getting paid $15,000 to host the Oscars. He shared the number on KROQ’s Kevin & Bean morning show Wednesday morning.

“You know why? I think it’s illegal to pay nothing. I’m not sure I was supposed to reveal this, but nobody told me not to. I consider this their fault.”

This will be the first time that Jimmy has hosted the ceremony, and he admitted that he was surprised to get the offer. He also joked about how late the offer came, which is usually announced months earlier.

“They asked like 14 people and they all said no and then there was me. I absolutely was surprised.”

He also joked about why the chose him for the honor.

“The producers and the Academy went through a long list of names, and in the end, they decided that—since I am already right across the street from where they do the show—I was the closest person to host.”