Jimmy Kimmel got teary-eyed while honoring podcaster-comedian Adam Carolla, his longtime friend and former colleague, at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Wednesday.
Kimmel began his speech by remembering his first introduction to Carolla, which came in 1994 when the late-night star was working on “Kevin and Bean,” a Los Angeles radio show. Then a boxing instructor, Carolla called into KROQ and was brought in to prepare Kimmel for a boxing match. The first time Carolla was put on the air, Kimmel recalled his roast; “Adam told ‘Kevin and Bean,’ ‘Jimmy is 160 pounds of pure chiseled steel. Unfortunately, he weighs 225.’”
“We did very little training. We would box for about eight minutes and then drink Snapple and go to lunch,” Kimmel continued. “As a result, I lost that fight, but I gained a life partner. And if that sounds gay to you, it was and it is,” he said, to laughter from the audience. Kimmel also referred to Carolla as “one of the funniest people” he’s ever met, and the “Laverne to my Shirley.”
The pair have remained close since their initial meeting, and Kimmel got emotional while reflecting on Carolla’s career.
“Adam and I, as you probably know, don’t agree much when it comes to politics, but I love him dearly,” said Kimmel. “I’ve never worked with anyone funnier. I am proud of him … this is a guy who worked his way up from nothing to become, literally, a millionaire, and if you don’t believe it you’ll hear him say it every single show.”
He continued: “Adam is a true original. He was a poor kid from the San Fernando Valley who was rejected by the management at Taco Bell, and whose name will now forever be part of this filthy, disgusting intersection,” said Kimmel, referencing the physical location of his star on the Walk of Fame.
Kimmel and Carolla’s ventures include Jackhole Productions, from which they launched the Comedy Central sketch show “The Man Show” and later “Crank Yankers.” Carolla then hosted the late-night show “Too Late” on the network before beginning his podcast, “The Adam Carolla Podcast.” Carolla is also a New York Times bestselling author.
Carolla will receive his star in the category of Radio. In addition to Kimmel, Adam Weissler emceed and Dr. Drew Pinsky shared remarks as well.