Jimmy Kimmel Honored with President’s Award from ICG Publicists Guild
The 2026 ICG Publicists Awards will recognize a notable figure who has generated significant headlines this year.
The International Cinematographers Guild announced today that Jimmy Kimmel will receive the 2026 President’s Award in March. This honor is presented only under “extraordinary circumstances.” Kimmel, a veteran late-night host and outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, is being recognized for his character, resilience, and steadfast principles amid adversity, according to the ICG.
“We’re thrilled to present this award to Jimmy Kimmel, whose return to the air meant so much to his audience and whose presence at the International Cinematographers Guild Publicists Awards means so much to us,” said ICG National President John Lindley. “He stood by his staff and crew during his suspension, and we celebrate his commitment to his work and to his team.”
Kimmel has hosted ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003 and found himself at the center of media scrutiny in September when the network suspended his show “indefinitely” following his comments regarding the killing of right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk. This suspension came shortly after the country’s two largest station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, pulled the show from their ABC affiliates.
After nearly a week off the air, Kimmel’s show returned to ABC, although Nexstar and Sinclair delayed airing it for several more days.
Kimmel has hosted the Oscars four times and the Emmys three times, making him the longest-serving current late-night host on television. He joins a prestigious group of past ICG President’s Award recipients, which includes former AMPAS President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and long-time Entertainment Tonight executive producer Linda Bell Blue.
Kimmel will be honored at the 63rd annual ICG Publicists Awards luncheon on March 13, the Friday before the 98th Academy Awards, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The ICG will announce their television nominations on December 2 and motion picture nominations on January 14, celebrating outstanding publicity campaigns and recognizing Local 600 publicists, unit still photographers, and top entertainment journalists.
