Podcast Summary: "Jimmy Fallon: I Wasn’t Prepared For The Hate… It Was Brutal. I Was Starving, Living on $7.25!"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
• Host: Steven Bartlett (DOAC)
• Guest: Jimmy Fallon
• Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction and Early Conversations [00:00 - 03:21]

The episode begins with a brief commercial break featuring Babbel, the language learning app, before transitioning into a candid conversation between Steven Bartlett and Jimmy Fallon. Early in the discussion, Jimmy reflects on his feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt during his formative years:

• [00:30] Jimmy Fallon: "I was just breaking down mentally of like what have I done? I have. I don't know what else to do with my life."

Steven acknowledges Jimmy's extensive business portfolio, highlighting his diverse ventures—from production companies to ice cream brands—all unified by a common mission to "make people happy."

• [00:49] Steven Bartlett: "The through line here is about making people happy."

Jimmy Fallon's Early Aspirations and Struggles [03:22 - 16:24]

Early Desire to Enter Entertainment: Jimmy delves into his childhood ambition to entertain and his persistent desire to please others, which he attributes to his upbringing.

• [03:22] Jimmy Fallon: "I've always wanted to please people since I was a kid."

Steven mentions how Jimmy was voted "most likely to replace David Letterman" in the eighth grade—a prophecy that would later come true.

• [01:03] Steven Bartlett: "In your eighth grade class you were voted most likely to replace David Letterman on the late night show."

Pursuit of Comedy and Early Rejections: Jimmy recounts his early days working at The Improv in Los Angeles, living on minimal wages, and facing numerous rejections. He vividly describes his first audition for "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), where he felt he "blew it," marking one of his lowest moments.

• [01:27] Steven Bartlett: "Eventually you get a phone call."
• [01:29] Jimmy Fallon: "I got an audition for SNL. This was my big opportunity. I remember going on stage, did my first impression and I blew it."

He poignantly shares a dark period where he contemplated suicide if he didn't make it to SNL before turning 25.

• [01:40] Steven Bartlett: "You'd said that if you didn't make it on SNL before the age of 25, I was gonna kill myself. Did you mean that?"
• [52:37] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, I did. But again, I knew that I was gonna be on SNL, so I guess I didn't really mean it."

Family and Upbringing: Jimmy provides insight into his strict Catholic upbringing, his father's tough-guy persona juxtaposed with his mother's affectionate nature, and the profound influence his mother had on his confidence and comedic aspirations.

• [05:22] Steven Bartlett: "Your parents were very strict."
• [08:04] Jimmy Fallon: "Sadly passed away... She was my number one fan and loved me so much."

Breaking Through to Success [16:24 - 52:55]

Persistence Amid Rejection: Jimmy elaborates on his relentless pursuit of an SNL spot, detailing the emotional and financial hardships he endured in Los Angeles. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and the belief that continued effort would eventually lead to success.

• [28:45] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, definitely a bunch of times... It's a lot of rejection."

Second Audition and Triumph: At 23, after numerous unsuccessful attempts, Jimmy receives a second audition call for SNL. This time, his performance resonates, leading to his invitation to join the iconic show.

• [52:55] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, I did. But again, I knew that I was gonna be on SNL, so I guess I didn't really mean it. Cause I was gonna be on SNL before I was 25."

Transition to Late Night and The Tonight Show: Following his success on SNL, Jimmy transitions to hosting "Late Night," eventually taking over "The Tonight Show." He reflects on the seamless progression of his career, driven by his early clear vision and unwavering dedication.

• [62:33] Jimmy Fallon: "It paid off. It was everything I dreamt."

Personal Life, Loss, and Coping Strategies [52:55 - 82:05]

Loss of His Mother: Jimmy shares the emotional impact of his mother's passing in November 2017, describing her as his "best audience" and the primary source of his positive reinforcement.

• [77:52] Jimmy Fallon: "She was my number one fan and always believed in you... She had a great sense of humor."

Becoming a Father: Transitioning into fatherhood, Jimmy discusses how having children reshaped his priorities and deepened his capacity for empathy and patience.

• [92:12] Jimmy Fallon: "They're the best kids. I love them so much."

Grieving and Personal Growth: He candidly talks about grieving his mother's loss, the support from his wife, and how these personal experiences have fortified his resilience and commitment to making others happy.

• [81:11] Jimmy Fallon: "Yes, I went for it. My wife was really helpful with that. She was like, go for it. Just cry."

Philosophy on Happiness and Pleasing Others [82:05 - 94:33]

Intrinsic Motivation: Jimmy emphasizes that his primary motivation has always been making others happy, stating that it brings him joy and fulfillment.

• [91:50] Steven Bartlett: "The through line here, Jimmy, is about making people happy."
• [92:03] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, I do. I like making people happy. It makes me happy."

Challenges of Being a People Pleaser: He acknowledges the difficulties that come with constantly striving to please everyone, especially in the public eye, and discusses strategies to maintain authenticity without succumbing to external pressures.

• [65:02] Steven Bartlett: "As someone that's always trying to please. Is that the antithesis of pleasing for one's brain who is orientated towards making people happy?"
• [65:40] Jimmy Fallon: "It's the worst. Yes, it is the absolute worst. I hate it."

Current Endeavors and Future Outlook [94:33 - End]

Diversified Business Ventures: Beyond his roles in television, Jimmy discusses his various entrepreneurial ventures, including ice cream brands like "Tonight Dough," "Gobstompers" skate shoes, and creative projects like children's books.

• [90:00] Steven Bartlett: "Outside of TV, you're very busy. You founded a production company..."
• [90:16] Jimmy Fallon: "The last one was called Holiday Seasoning, which is a Christmas album."

Perspective on Fame and Media: Jimmy offers his insights on the evolving landscape of media and fame, asserting that television remains a powerful medium despite the rise of digital platforms.

• [87:49] Steven Bartlett: "How has that altered your perception of not just what fame is, but what life is about?"
• [90:50] Jimmy Fallon: "I think fame was fun... entertainment is always gonna be around."

Health and Longevity: Reflecting on his parents' health struggles, Jimmy underscores the importance of longevity and being present for his children, detailing his personal health habits aimed at ensuring a long, fulfilling life.

• [83:12] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah. I'm definitely eating better. I work out when I can. You know, I walk every day."

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts [97:09 - End]

In the concluding segments, Steven Bartlett expresses deep admiration for Jimmy's genuine desire to spread happiness and his authentic persona in the face of public scrutiny.

• [95:30] Steven Bartlett: "Jimmy, thank you for doing what you do... you are an incredibly pure, well-intentioned, happy, radiant person."

Jimmy responds with gratitude, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity and the joy derived from making others happy.

• [99:16] Jimmy Fallon: "Keep doing what you're doing. You're great. You're fantastic."

The episode wraps up with a thought-provoking question posed by Steven Bartlett, exploring the impact of subjective reality on self-perception and behavior, to which Jimmy humorously contemplates the notion.

• [97:40] Stephen Bartlett: "How would your view of yourself change and how would your behavior change if you learned beyond doubt that reality is not objective, but exists only in what you do and your actions?"
• [98:28] Jimmy Fallon: "The edibles kicked in... It's a deep one."

Key Takeaways:

1. Persistence is Crucial: Jimmy Fallon's journey underscores the importance of relentless pursuit of one's goals despite numerous setbacks and rejections.

2. Support Systems Matter: The unwavering support from his mother played a pivotal role in Jimmy's confidence and success.

3. Authenticity Over Pleasing Everyone: While Jimmy strives to make others happy, he recognizes the challenges of being a people pleaser and emphasizes staying true to oneself.

4. Personal Loss Shapes Perspective: The loss of his mother profoundly impacted Jimmy, reinforcing the value of personal connections and emotional resilience.

5. Diversification and Adaptability: Beyond television, Jimmy's ventures into various businesses highlight the importance of diversification and adaptability in sustaining long-term success.

6. Health and Longevity: Reflecting on his parents' health issues, Jimmy prioritizes his well-being to ensure he remains present for his family and continues his endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:30] Jimmy Fallon: "I was just breaking down mentally of like what have I done? I have. I don't know what else to do with my life."

• [05:22] Steven Bartlett: "Your parents were very strict."

• [52:55] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, I did. But again, I knew that I was gonna be on SNL, so I guess I didn't really mean it."

• [65:40] Jimmy Fallon: "It's the worst. Yes, it is the absolute worst. I hate it."

• [91:50] Steven Bartlett: "The through line here, Jimmy, is about making people happy."

• [92:03] Jimmy Fallon: "Yeah, I do. I like making people happy. It makes me happy."

This episode offers an intimate glimpse into Jimmy Fallon's early struggles, his unwavering commitment to his craft, the personal losses that shaped his resilience, and his ongoing quest to bring joy to others. Steven Bartlett adeptly navigates the conversation, drawing out profound insights and heartfelt reflections, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in the human side of success and the complexities of maintaining authenticity in the public eye.