Key Moments
Jimmy Fallon: I Didn't Expect It To Be This Brutal! The Hate Was Something I Wasn’t Prepared For!
The Diary Of A CEOKey Moments
Jimmy Fallon discusses his journey from childhood ambition to SNL, dealing with fame, and finding joy in making others happy.
Key Insights
Fallon's lifelong ambition was to be on Saturday Night Live, a goal he achieved by age 23.
His early life was shaped by strict Catholic parents, influencing his desire to please and perform.
The path to SNL involved significant rejection, financial hardship, and intense self-doubt in Los Angeles.
He attributes his success to an "obsession" with his goals and a relentless work ethic.
Fame brought unexpected challenges, particularly negative "haters" and online criticism, which he learned to navigate.
Despite the hardships, Fallon emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and finding joy in making others happy.
EARLY AMBITIONS AND CHILDHOOD INFLUENCES
Jimmy Fallon always harbored a strong desire to please people, stemming from his childhood and his strict Catholic upbringing. This drive to entertain and satisfy others was evident early on, with peers even voting him 'most likely to replace David Letterman' in eighth grade. His parents' strictness, particularly his father's efforts to censor comedy albums, ironically fueled his curiosity about humor. He initially considered becoming a priest, finding parallels between the altar boy role and performance. His parents, while disciplined, were also supportive, though his mother, Gloria, was his most vocal cheerleader and biggest fan, a relationship that profoundly shaped his confidence.
THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Fallon's primary career goal from a young age was to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL). He moved to Los Angeles with an unwavering focus, working odd jobs and performing at the Improv for minimal pay, driven by the stage time and the dream of SNL. He famously vowed to take his own life if he didn't make it by age 25, a statement he now views with less literal intensity, recognizing his inherent belief that he *would* make it. This singular focus, bordering on obsession, propelled him through years of rejection and financial struggle, including living with cardboard furniture.
THE GRIND OF LOS ANGELES AND EARLY STRUGGLES
The journey to SNL was fraught with difficulty. Fallon experienced profound self-doubt in Los Angeles, even writing a letter to his best friend expressing feelings of losing his grip and not knowing what to do next. He faced numerous auditions, often for minor roles, and was frequently told he was 'too green.' Despite not wanting to take traditional acting classes, he eventually learned the value of scene study and playing off other actors. He recalls the crushing disappointment of his first SNL audition, where he felt he blew his only chance, but a subsequent callback led to his eventual success.
BREAKTHROUGH AND THE JOY OF MAKING OTHERS HAPPY
Achieving his goal of joining SNL at 23 was a pivotal moment, leading to a call to his beloved mother. This success marked the beginning of a remarkable career, eventually leading to hosting 'Late Night' and 'The Tonight Show.' Fallon consistently emphasizes that his core motivation has always been to entertain and make people happy. This philosophy extends beyond his on-screen work to his various business ventures, including ice cream, theme park rides, and merchandise, all seemingly aiming to bring joy and smiles to people's faces. He sees this as the fundamental through line of his life.
NAVIGATING FAME AND THE TOLL OF CRITICISM
While fame brought immense opportunities, it also presented significant challenges. Fallon admits he was unprepared for the intensity of online criticism and 'haters,' a stark contrast to the less venomous feedback of his early career. As someone who fundamentally seeks to please, he found this negativity particularly difficult to process. He learned to cope by focusing on his work, staying true to himself, and recognizing that not everyone will like him. He believes that maintaining authenticity and continuing to create is the best way to weather such storms, treating external criticism as 'noise' rather than a reflection of his worth.
LEGACY, FAMILY, AND THE PURSUIT OF WELL-BEING
Losing his mother, Gloria, was a profoundly challenging experience, as she was his biggest fan and a source of constant positive reinforcement. This loss underscored the importance of cherishing relationships and expressing love. Now at 50, Fallon's focus has shifted towards longevity and health, a concern amplified by his parents' less healthy lifestyles. He actively works on eating better, exercising, and limiting alcohol to be present for his children. He cherishes his role as a father, experiencing a newfound empathy for other children and parents. Ultimately, he hopes to live a life of kindness, generosity, and joy, leaving behind a legacy of making people happy.
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Common Questions
From a young age, Jimmy Fallon was driven by a deep desire to please people and make them happy. His early experiences, including being an altar boy, provided a stage for performing and receiving positive feedback, which fueled his ambition, particularly for Saturday Night Live.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A comedian whose albums Jimmy Fallon listened to as a child, though his father would scratch out curse words.
Mentioned as the host of the Late Night Show, whom Jimmy Fallon was voted most likely to replace in eighth grade.
A former SNL cast member whose impression Jimmy Fallon performed during his second successful SNL audition.
The host Jimmy Fallon replaced on The Tonight Show.
An actor Jimmy Fallon admired, leading him to initially just watch acting classes rather than participate.
An SNL producer who complimented Jimmy Fallon after his successful second audition.
Member of the Beastie Boys, whose lyric about being true to oneself resonated with Jimmy Fallon.
Jimmy Fallon's first manager in LA, who used to work at Brillstein Entertainment Partners and helped guide his early career.
Jimmy Fallon's first Groundlings teacher, who remembered Jimmy's specific goal to be on Saturday Night Live.
The founder and creator of Saturday Night Live, who Jimmy Fallon auditioned for and eventually hired him for the show.
The host Jimmy Fallon replaced on Late Night, as requested by Lorne Michaels.
A rock idol with whom Jimmy Fallon performed a memorable mirror sketch on SNL, despite initial reluctance from Lorne Michaels.
Famed actress and comedian mentioned by Lorne Michaels as having already performed the mirror sketch concept.
A celebrity mentioned as someone Jimmy Fallon has interviewed, highlighting his ability to make high-profile guests comfortable.
A celebrity mentioned as someone Jimmy Fallon has interviewed, highlighting his interest in people regardless of their fame.
A celebrity mentioned as someone Jimmy Fallon has interviewed, highlighting his interest in people regardless of their fame.
A legendary talk show host mentioned as an example of aging well in the talk show format, having hosted for 30 years.
An improv troop in LA where Jimmy Fallon took classes, having heard that many SNL cast members had studied there.
A comedy club in New York where Jimmy Fallon had his first SNL audition, performing his 'troll bit'.
Jimmy Fallon's ultimate career goal from a young age, which he eventually achieved, leading to his later talk show roles.
A comedy club in LA where Jimmy Fallon performed early in his career for very little pay, gaining crucial stage time.
A charity that receives a lot of money from the sales of Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Dough' ice cream.
The studio lot where Lorne Michaels had an office when he met with Jimmy Fallon to offer him a spot on SNL.
A music group Jimmy Fallon loved, citing Mike D's lyric 'be true to yourself and you will never fall' as guiding advice.
Comedians mentioned by Lorne Michaels as having already performed the mirror sketch idea Jimmy Fallon proposed.
A band whose songs Jimmy Fallon sometimes hears and are reminded of his late mother, bringing bittersweet memories.
A ride at Universal Studios named after and featuring Jimmy Fallon.
Jimmy Fallon's Christmas album, which he hoped would coin a new verb for holiday celebration, but 'didn't take off'.
A line of sneakers Jimmy Fallon created that change colors as the leather wears down, making each pair unique.
A video cassette recorder that Jimmy Fallon's family owned, allowing him to tape and extensively study SNL episodes.
Jimmy Fallon's Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor, which raises a lot of money for the Serious Fun charity.
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