Biography

Based on magazine bits, the A&E Biography, and other things that we fans have picked up on the way of following this great man's career

James Thomas Fallon was born on September 19, 1974 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. At the age of two, the family moved to out to a less crime prone area, into a quiet Upstate New York town of Saugerties. The Fallon’s were a closely knit family. Without much contact of other children, Jimmy and Gloria ended up being best friends.



Their ridiculously strict parents wouldn’t let them play anywhere but the backyard. They were forced to wear football helmets while they road their bikes in the grass and rode the swings that faced the grave stones of the Saint Mary of The Snow Cemetery. “There goes those crazy Fallon kids”, passersby’s would speak. Jimmy and Gloria were exposed to music at an early age, shown playing the piano and a drum set.



At the age of two Jimmy performed his first impressions: James Cagney (Who’s apartment he would be later living in) and Don Ho. “You dirty rat”, and “Aloha!”

Jimmy took his humor into the school room at the Saint Mary of The Snow private elementary school.

“I would go up to the Nuns and ask, ‘Is your habit felt?’ ‘No’, then I would touch it and say ‘now it is!’ Yeah, then I’d get smacked with a ruler!” - Jim
“He was always the class clown but he was never disrespectful” - Gloria Sr.

In these times, Jimmy became a master of mimicry to celebrities and people in his own life. Jimmy would make fun of people, but not in a way to be rude. Gloria Sr. recalls Jimmy working on his impressions so much, that she felt Bill Cosby was actually inside of their home.

It was at the age of 6 when it hit. Jimmy had become addicted to Saturday Night Live The rents would tape the show, edit out anything that would be too inappropriate for them to see, and let them enjoy the show. Jimmy and Gloria would watch, memorize and act out the sketches that they particularly liked. Their favorite bit was Coolzechs Brothers (AKA Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin, Two Wild and Crazy Guys).

“I remember we’d say “We have to get to the Statue of Liberty for birth control devices. Our grandparents would be like, what are you telling these kids?”

During these years of course, Jimmy’s main focus was always on SNL. He wouldn’t miss the show for anything.

“We could never get Jimmy out on a Saturday Night. One time, we did get Jimmy to go out for a party. After awhile, I realized I hadn’t seem him. I went around looking, and turns out, he snuck into one of the bedrooms and was watching the show.” - Gerard Bradford
“He sees it as a sports game, you don’t want to hear the score, you want to see it live” - Gloria Jr.

Jimmy’s love for comedy spawned from many other sources, such as The Smothers Brothers, Steve Martin, and Weird Al Yankovic. Weird Al was Jim’s first concert, and first inspiration for musical parodies. This love for music encouraged Jim to learn more instruments, like the clarinet, the piano, harmonica, and guitar.
Pretending to play a clarinet, “Hey, do you guys know any Benny Goodman? I remember I first learned to play an acoustic, then I got an electric. It was so awesome”.

When Jimmy and Gloria reached their teenage years, they approached the rents with a problem. The private schools had not offered them much in making friends and wanted to meet more people, thus allowing them to attend Saugerties High. During these years, Jimmy became best friends with Gerard Bradford, who can be seen in Idiot Boyfriend, Last Call with Carson Daly, the Bio, and on the cd.



Jimmy tried out for pretty much every sports team and the Drama Club, but was accepted into none. His only option, the golf team. And as it turns out, Jimmy became a very good golfer. His senior year, he and a group ran for the Senior Council committee.



Their motto was "Keep '92 Alive, Vote J5!", as seen on their tees. All 5 of their names started with J's: (A/N: I don't know why their are only 4 shown!) John, Jared, Jim, Joey, and Jerry. (I've heard the name, I guess he's not pictured). Joey Gonzales is often spoken of, most notably in that story where he would talk around talking just alike him all day long.

When Jimmy graduated from high school, he was given the gift of a troll doll. This extremely odd gift ended up becoming his ticket to stardom. Around this time, the gang found out that the Banana’s Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie was holding a contest for impressins. Jimmy performed a few of his troll bits, he is shown doing John Travolta. It’s very noticeable in his voice that is he’s nervous.



The big story at the time was the Pee Wee Herman scandal, this is the part that got him the win.
“I like to play with myself, you know what I mean!” - Bullwinkle, pulling out a BullWinkle action figure.

“I know what you mean Bull Winkle, I like to play with myself too!” - PeeWee Herman.

Jimmy quickly runs off the stage, still nervous over the whole affair. The judge runs up to the stage and announces “the winner of tonight’s contest of $100 is..Jim Fallon”. The audience goes in an uproar and the Fallon’s scream in celebration. This win gave Jimmy the confidence that maybe he could survive in this fierce competition of comedy.

Jimmy attended The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY; majoring in Computer Science.“Which as nothing to do with comedy!” - he says in one of his performances. During his education, Jimmy would write song parodies based on the idea of Troll Doll Jingles to help sell the piece. He would continue to perform these just for the ability to get noticed and a chance to show off his impressions, he never really liked it, he only wanted sketch comedy.

During Jim’s sophomore year of college, an opportunity arose. There was talks of a local version of SNL for Albany, called Loose Camera. A local call dealer named Don Mesner was looking for talent in the area. Jimmy went after this, but unfortunately, wasn’t accepted. His friend Frank was offered the job, and told Don that he made a big mistake by not giving Jimmy a chance. He talked Don into giving him a part. Jimmy ended up writing about 3/4ths of the show, doing anything to prove himself.



Here he created his first character, Donkey Boy.



Jimmy was writing at least 3/4ths of the show, while taking acting lessons and peforming his standup routine. One of the writers, Mike, started looking for a new opportunity to get his show further into the public eye. He created 40 Whacks, another sketch show that would air on Public Access TV.



Here Jimmy showcased more of his impressions. One of his most memorable pieces was the Tony Danza: One Man show. “It was basically Tony Danza in a set up from Whose The Boss?”



All of this work pushed Jimmy’s education life too far back, pushing him closer to dropping out. Peter Iselin, the Loose Camera founder, planned on moving to L.A. Jimmy felt that this was chance. Before Peter left, Jimmy “shyly placed a tape in his hand and asked him to check it out.” Three months later, Peter came across it, and felt bad. He promised the kid he’d play it for them and he hadn’t even played it himself. His next day at work, he gathered all of the managers around to listen to the piece, a performance of Jimmy at the Banana’s Comedy Club. After about a minute of listening to it, they all started jumping up and down, saying that they had to call and sign him. Jimmy got the call, and eagerly accepted, but first had to console his family. Even at the age of 20, he asked Jim and Gloria if it would be okay, of course, they said yes. But incase of any failure, they wanted a back up plan. The parents and Jimmy went down to the local Post Office and took the Postal Exam. Jimmy remembers turning over to look at the parents, gesturing, ‘what the hell?’. Gloria Jr. declined this odd family offer. Turns out, Jimmy passed. It sounded like a nice job, you get to drive a big ice cream like truck, wear shorts, and deliver packages like Santa all year round. He kept getting offers to work for them, but he said no. Saugerties lost a mail man, and L.A. gained yet another struggling actor.



"I went out there with my backpack and guitar, the Classic Story Of Rock and Roll!" - Jim

Peter and Jimmy didn’t have any place to go so they ended up living together for two and a half years. Jimmy was astonished when he learned that Peter happened to be Adam Sandler’s manager as well. All of Jimmys’ friends remember him being miserable for the most part; he didn’t have any friends or family out there. He also didn’t want or have a full time job, he just wanted to work on his main goal. Jimmy kept working on his standup routines, and enrolled in classes at The Groundlings, the famed improv school that launched Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, and Ana Gasteyer to name a few.



Then it happened. He got an audition for Saturday Night Live. Jimmy was flown out to New York and set on that legendary stage to show Lorne his talent. He performed his only bits, the troll dolls, his standup, and music for three minutes. He bombed it.

Jimmy went back to L.A., extremely depressed, but with the confidence that he could still make it. He kept working and going to school. He got a part in the low budget, straight to dvd film, The Scheme. Also some time in there, Jimmy got a tiny part in the Robin Williams, Billy Crystal buddy flick, Father’s Day. His lines, sadly, were cut in the final rendition. But you can still see him in the film.



Then in July of 1998, Jimmy was given a second chance to audition. But he was warned not to do the troll act again. Jimmy froze, “That’s my ONLY bit!”./ Jimmy recalls being put in make up, miked, and being told not to worry because Lorne never laughs. He entered the darkened room with about 6 people watching him.

In his three minutes, Jimmy did a Celebrity Walk-A-Thon, showcasing all of his vocal impressions. Then he presented some original characters: David Nickels, The Colin Quinn, Wannabe Composer, Double Take Guy, and the man with the funny accent whose name I can’t recall! Finally, Jimmy pulled out his guitar and performed song parodies such as U2, Alanis Morisette and The Cure. What got Jimmy the part? His Adam Sandler impression. That blew them away, even Lorne. Jimmy recalls seeing Lorne laughing and placing his head in his hand. Everything went into slow motion. You can hear in Jimmy’s voice the shock of that unlikely occurrence.


Click here to listen

After a few nervewracking weeks later, he got the call. His life long dream had come true. It the was the biggest celebration in the Fallon family.

“I remember I got the call, ‘Mom, I did it. I got Saturday Night Live.’ And I just started crying.” - Gloria Sr.

Jimmy’s first episode was Cameron Diaz and The Smashing Pumpkins. But his breakthrough peformance was three episodes later, Ben Stiller and Alanis Morissette. In Celebrity Jeopardy, Jimmy played Adam Sandler, and during Weekend Update with Colin Quinn, he performed his Halloween song parodies. “It was a knockout show for me.”

Joey Mack and the Fuzz was created early on, but Jimmy refused to do the role. "Jimmy was a bit of a prude”, Tina recalls. He eventually grew out of it. He would call to warn the family of when to start watching the episode, he didn’t want them to see him doing anything risqué.

After his first year on the show, Jimmy was given the role of Dennis Hope in Almost Famous. Later he created the book with Gloria, "I Hate This Place: A Pessimests Guide To Life.” The next season began and Jimmy wanted to start creating characters, not become a Darrell Hammond. Here came Sully and Denise, Nick Burns, and the Bloader Brothers. At the close of the second season, Jimmy kept after this, but Lorne pushed Jimmy into a whole new direction.



During the summer of 2000, Jimmy went out to London to film his next tiny role in the critically acclaimed film, Band Of Brothers. Lorne gave Jimmy a call and offered him the position of Update anchor now that Colin Quinn had called it quits. “No thanks, it’s not my thing.” Lorne asked Jimmy to please reconsider it, but Jimmy kept refusing. “No, I’m not going to audition for something I don’t want!” Over the next few weeks, Micheals kept on pursuing, and finally got Jimmy to agree, but only if he could have a co-anchor. Lorne saw Tina’s audition and picked her immediately. (The other contestants were Ana Gasteyer/Chris Parnell) Jimmy and Tina were the perfect match, the smart girl and the guy who copies off her homework. “There was no sexual tension, as much as I tried to make it! Turning down Weekend Update was the stupidest thing I’d ever said in my life!” They were credited with restoring Weekend Update as the showcase segment of the program.

“It’s a totally different experience when your walking down the street with Jimmy. He’s just more famous than the rest of us.” - Tina

Jimmy’s fame grew extremely. And of course pours in the speculation of private matters. Everyone wants to know who he’s dating. He’s been linked to Winona Ryder, Gina Gershon, Parker Posey, and Tara Subkoff. “What happens in my bedroom stays in Vegas. I don’t kiss and tell.” But Jimmy’s girlfriend status was 99% empty. “The show is such a crazy schedule. There’s no time for a relationship. I spent all of my time getting into wrestling matches with Chris Kattan. You have to focus on the show.”



During this next summer, Jimmy really pushed his outer SNL life into gear. He was given the hosting duties of the 2001 MTV Movie Awards, alongside Kirsten Dunst. He started touring the U.S, putting on shows for colleges. All of his material came from his upcoming comedy record, The Bathroom Wall. The title track, Idiot Boyfriend, is “loosely based on, almost entirely based on me. Very real. I’m a terrible boyfriend. I end up apologizing more than anything”. The album dropped on August 27, 2002, the same week he got the solo job of hosting the 2002 Video Music Awards. Jimmy got to tour with The Strokes and The New Suzuki for ten days. His album was nominated for a Grammy but lost out to Robin Williams. (“Guess who’s not nominated? Tina Fey! I know what I‘ll do when I win that Grammy. I‘ll use it to smash those damn glasses she has on. She acts like she invented glasses. Guess what Tina, you didn‘t invent glasses!”)



The next summer, Jimmy landed a part in a Woody Allen film, titled Anything Else.

“He was so excited to be in it. He was all, ‘This is crazy, it’s my favorite, I can’t believe it!’” - Tina, doing a hilariously realistic impression of Jimmy’s giddiness.

In the Fall of 2003, Jimmy was pulling double duty, SNL in New York and the role of Andy Washburn in Taxi, filming in New York and L.A.

“To do Taxi, and SNL, on two different coasts, is darnly impossible. He would come in there tired but he was always fun. Nobody can escape Jimmy's humor. I’m sure we wasted a whole lot of Fox’s money!” - Queen Latifah.

Jimmy was back to full time after the movie wrapped. But, his contract would expire in 2004, leaving his the decision of whether is was time to stay or go. Everyone really wanted him to stay but Jimmy made it known that he wanted to leave. “It’s like you’ve climbed to Mount Everest. You can’t stay up there. You have to come down and tell everybody about it.”

“I’m in total denial of it. I’m sad about it. I can’t imagine what I’m going to do without him.” - Tina

In the future, Jimmy wants to do more dramatic roles, a hard transition from mere comedians. “Comedy, I know I can do. Drama, I’ll try to do as many as I can do. For those who believe in me, I’ll take that risk. “

Jimmy is an overgrown kid who can’t believe his own luck. “This feels weird, I’m doing mine own biography?! I’m not even dead, and here I am!” It’s such a dream world, he’s had a pretty nice life. He’s gotten everything he’s ever wanted because he worked really hard to get where he is today.

And here I leave you with my favorite Jimmy quote,

“There’s always the post office. I’m very good at numbers, zip codes, things. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I can’t complain, I’ve had a great ride so far. I’m the last person that could ever complain. I’m very lucky, probably the luckiest guy you’ll ever talk to.”




Stats

Full Name: James Thomas Fallon
Birthdate: September 19, 1974
Birthplace: Bay Ridge of Brooklyn, New York, but raised in Saugerties, New York
Height: 5"10
Ethnicitiy: Irish, Norwiegen
Family: Father named Jim, Mother named Gloria, one sibling, named Gloria, grandmother, named Gloria
College: St. Rose in Albany New York
Major: Computer Science
Other career options: Post Man, Priest
Prom Date: Lori Mullen
First Kiss: Megan McCoy
Favorite Actress: Wynona Ryder

Did you know...

That Jimmy cried when he first saw "Gone With The Wind"

Jimmy loves "Lizzie MaGuire"

He got a copy of "Engelburt Humperdink's Greatest Hits" from a record copy, and thought, "What the hell?"

Is embarrassed of liking Twisted Sister

Likes to dance to Micheal Jackson

Has been in a few fist fights

Was choosen as one of 50 Most Beautiful People for 2002

Sold his car in California

He has already been called the best SNL player since Phil Hartman, and is popular amonst SNL fans.

Was chosen for People Magazine's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.

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