Billy Kimmel was born with a rare heart defect and had surgery at just three hours old.
But a delighted Jimmy Kimmel revealed on Saturday that his now five-months-old son is ‘doing well. He’s right there!’
The 49-year-old talked about his tot as he cuddled him at a benefit for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation at the UCLA Royce Quad in Westwood, Los Angeles, according to Us Weekly.
Proud papa: Jimmy Kimmel cuddled five-month-old Billy, who is ‘doing well’ after his heart surgery, while wife Molly McNearney held daughter Jane, three, at a benefit in LA on Saturday
He was at the charity event with his wife Molly McNearney, and their daughter Jane, three,
Jimmy joked it was Billy’s first red carpet appearance, adding: ‘He’s got to have another operation soon, but he’s doing well. He seems to be strong. He pulls hair, that’s for sure!’
Alex’s Lemonade is a charity that raises funds for research into new treatments and cures for childhood cancer.
‘There’s a great story behind it,’ the Emmy award winner shared. ‘It really was started by a little girl, not by a group of adults.
Putting the message out: The 49-year-old was at the event for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation which raises funds for research into and treatment of childhood cancer
‘Sadly she passed away, so her parents carried on this tradition. And now, really, the greatest chefs in the United States gather to do these events,’ he told Us Weekly.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host revealed on his show in May that Billy had undergone open heart surgery just three hours after he was born on April 21.
Doctors noticed that the infant had a heart murmur and appeared purple in color, according to Jimmy. It was diagnosed as tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia, which is when the pulmonary valve is blocked and there is a hole in the heart wall.
Great cause: Jimmy posted with the charity’s co-Executive Director Jay Scott and little Jane
‘Dr. Vaughn Starnes opened his chest and fixed one of the two defects in his heart. He went in there with a scalpel and did some kind of magic that I couldn’t even begin to explain,’ Jimmy said during the 13-minute monologue.
‘He opened the valve, and the operation was a success. It was the longest three hours of my life.’
The latenight TV host tweeted in July: ‘Thx for the love & support. Please remind your Congresspeople that every kid deserves the care (Billy )got.’
Tasting the fare: Jimmy shared this instagram, captioned, ‘Billy and I drooling over what @adamperrylang made @alexslemonade @lalovesalexs’