Jimmy Kimmel knows how to pay it forward.
The late-night host gifted tickets to the World Series on Oct. 31 to 6-month-old son Billy’s heart surgeon, Us Weekly revealed.
The series between the Dodgers and Astros concluded in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 1, with Houston earning its first-ever championship title.
While Kimmel likely caught glimpses of the series, the 49-year-old comedian took a week off as Billy’s followup surgery was postponed due to family colds. He returned Monday to “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“Officially, I was off because my son Billy was supposed to have his next heart surgery. But we had to postpone it because we all had colds,” Kimmel told the audience. “But the truth is, I was waiting in line for the new iPhone all week.”
During Kimmel’s time away, celebrity guests Shaquille O’Neal, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum and Dave Grohl took over hosting duties.
“Anyway, my son is doing fine,” Kimmel said. “I want to thank everyone who filled in for me… Shaquille O’Neal, who I would like to thank twice – because he’s enormous.”
Kimmel and wife Molly McNearney, 39, welcomed Billy in April. Born with a heart defect, their infant son required surgery immediately after his birth. A second operation is required in about six months.
The traumatic ordeal prompted Kimmel to use his late-night platform to advocate for Americans’ equal access to medical care, in addition to gun control, in the wake of last month’s Las Vegas shooting massacre.
Reps for Kimmel did not immediately return our request for comment.