Is Jimmy Fallon returning to host The Tonight Show in 2025?

Jimmy Fallon has been hosting The Tonight Show since 2015. It's a long time, but when placed in the context of how long his predecessors held down the desk, it's relatively brief. Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show for a whopping thirty years.

Jay Leno waved the Tonight Show flag for over twenty years. Sure, Conan O'Brien tenure was brief, but that's only because Leno wanted his job back. The point is, The Tonight Show is a gig that has a preconceived longevity. Turnover is not part of the status quo, so it's worth inquiring as to how long Jimmy Fallon plans to stick around.

Jimmy Fallon is slated to host through 2028

Fortunately, for fans of The Tonight Show, Fallon will be coming back in 2025. In fact, he recently extended his contract with NBC, and will remain the host through 2028. Fallon's extension was confirmed at the same time as his network neighbor, Seth Meyers.

Both comedians, who got their start on Saturday Night Live, will continue to host their respective shows until at least 2028. It may seem a like a no-brainer, but there was a period in 2023 where it seemed like Jimmy Fallon's legacy was on shakey ground.

A Rolling Stone profile detailed a tense environment behind the scenes, and several employees went as far as to claim that Jimmy Fallon was a terror to work for on The Tonight Show. Similar accusations had been leveled at Ellen a few years prior, and her show ended soon after.

The comedian has no plans to retire

That being said, it appears as though Fallon has managed to weather the storm. He recently hosted the milestone 500th episode of The Tonight Show, and NBCUniversal Media Group Chairman Mark Lazarus confirmed that the comedian has no plans to leave the show anytime soon.

"It’s been a privilege to witness Jimmy at the helm of the The Tonight Show," the Chairman wrote in a statement obtained by TV Line. "We’re thrilled to see what innovations he and the incredible staff will deliver in the years to come at the network."