Jerrod Carmichael on Coming Out as Gay, Revealing His Name is Rothaniel & On the Count of Three

Jerrod talks about being anxious over owing Jimmy an email response, his HBO special “Rothaniel,” revealing intimate details about his life, feeling freer since coming out as gay, having really big conversations with friends and family, directing and starring in his new movie On the Count of Three, and we gift him with a few personalized “Rothaniel” items.
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Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of Emmy®-nominated “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” ABC’s late-night talk show. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is well known for its huge viral video successes, with over 11 billion views and more than 15 million subscribers on the show’s KZbin channel. Some of Kimmel’s most popular comedy bits include “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets,” “Lie Witness News,” “Unnecessary Censorship,” “Halloween Candy KZbin Challenge,” and music videos like “I (Wanna) Channing All Over Your Tatum.”

[@papaCmahns]

Dude he seems so much happier since coming out. So goddamn happy for Jerrod.

[@otismeotisme7987]

Yes King Caleb, after experince with both, iam coming back out. as Mike and Biggie-This Time Around, May you find the love that surronds you, WHY because you are a BADAZZ in a good way as i sip on wine in San Jose, Cali like Snoop Dog(smile)at 58 .

[@TionJae]

yes i was noticing this as well. he does . 😀😀 He said he feels freer and hes smiling alot more. I am so happy for him. Bless him! 🥰🥰🥰

[@thebusybee7080]

What a well rounded person. It would be such an honor to be called friend by him. Compassionate, deep, thoughtful, obviously very creative

[@j.cutrone]

Agreed.

[@virtuoso8642]

I love Jerrod on this coming out tour. Seeing so much of him lately gives me more hope that people (especially Black men) struggling with sexuality will find it little easier to confront it. I’m always thinking that the more society sees celebrities coming out, the easier it could be to find that self acceptance and realize they don’t have to hide forever.

[@OTDub]

Jerrod really is a beautiful human being. Binge-watching his HBO specials was an amazing insight into his personal growth. He asks and answers his own questions, and comes up with newer, more nuanced ones as he progresses. You can literally see the veil dropping as he gets closer to realizing his true self. Kudos, Rothaniel. ❤️

[@daking589]

He really is other worldly. I love him.

[@jacatk]

I agree.

[@bimmjim]

What is your ADVERB ❓

[@OTDub]

@@bimmjim "seldom". What is your preposition?

[@janetgannon4824]

This is lovely, compassionate discussion. Jimmy and Jerrod are great examples of How to Human.

[@davidbarnes1113]

I’m so proud of him for having the courage to tell his truth, as a BGM myself, I kind of suspected it. I also wish that NBC would have given his sitcom a chance and picked it up. I will definitely check out his HBO special now.

[@nugboy420]

I love this guy’s laughter. It is so contagious :)

[@shelbigrant1393]

I remember seeing Jerrod Carmichael at Second City here in Chicago, right before the pandemic. He was extremely funny and talented. I'm so happy for him and the progress he's made in his life.

[@aaryamannambiar6677]

I just saw On The Count Of Three. It's such a brilliant, delicate little film. Definitely needs to be talked about more. A lot of great details in the characters and a nearly pitch perfect way of balancing different tones. Jerrod's direction doesn't seem like it's a debut. It's really seasoned. Also, Christopher Abbott's performance was probably the standout. This dude was absolutely amazing in the movie.

[@gayduom]

Absolutely loved it . Dark but beautiful and funny

[@ombra711]

This was an excellent interview. Loved his netflix sitcom. It hit different. Glad he's living free.

[@kl.8992]

Beautiful soul. You can tell he’s still processing. I hope he gets the healing he needs 🖤

[@lalah9481]

That was an awesome interview. They have me grinning ear to ear😁

[@debbieshadle214]

Jerrod is so well spoken and heartfelt. He draws you in with his beautiful thoughts and humor 💕

[@mehr0x]

He only said “like” 1600 times

[@Chr1st8l]

He had the best snl monologue I’ve ever watched.

[@RW-gp1dq]

Delightful interview! What heart! I just love Jerrod and he looks SO cool. Can't wait to see his new film & whatever he does next. Bring it!

[@aaryamannambiar6677]

THIS IS THE YEAR OF ROTHANIEL CARMICHAEL! So happy that this dude is finally happy and back in the spotlight! Btw, go see On the count of three! An incredible, delicate film.

[@andrewjohnson588]

All of his interviews are so fantastic. He's just so honest and sincere, it's so refreshing compared to what these types of show interviews are usually like.

[@johnedwardjones999]

Didn't know Jerrod until now. Fun great interview. I'll be looking for him.

[@jonhowe2960]

Looking forward to the next 30 years of laughs with Jerrod

[@debbyfronke3227]

I sincerly like and enjoy this man..watching him on snl..i said who the Hell..after i watched..i watched all his work...all the episodes of carmichael show...of course, the HBO special -then thought wow...what a very smart,quick witted,funny,clever man..I so see him joining the ranks of pryor,Hart, etc..the movies got to be great...this dude has the magic touch...hes just so natural...adore him!!

[@BobSullivanAKABuffy]

What a great interview. On The Count Of Three is opening here in San Francisco tomorrow (I guess today now) and now I know I want to see it.

[@landonfolken03]

I didnt even know about it and the premise sounds very intriguing. Glad I caught this interview. I really like him!

[@charlierayed]

I've been loving this press run! He's so funny yet so wholesome. I saw the trailer for his film and it looks right up my ally. Need to find out if & when I can see it in the UK.

[@west4coast77]

Great interview Jimmy! And the personalized swag was pretty thoughtful and funny. Great stuff (Kudos to your graphics and props team).

[@rugr82day]

Yes, great gifts.

[@Paul-ms2sx]

I'm 59 and I went right back to when I came out at 19! Wow!

[@looney1023]

Just watched On the Count of Three and it's great. Definitely an incredibly empathetic and sensitive exploration of suicide, but also consistently hilarious!

[@dellmedia]

I so miss his TV show...it was great!

[@shawnat8799]

Genuine soul, really enjoy watching him talk.

[@MrKingston2397]

Love this man, glad he’s blessing us!

[@mac609]

New fan of Jerrod. His HBO special was like a live autobiography on stage. Very personal with comedy. One of the best specials on HBO this year IMO.

[@Roy-G-Biv]

Rockin the Afro pic, what a throwback…..great, funny human!

[@morrisc4624]

Wonderful interview.

[@JazzzzAH]

Just watched on the count of three today. Loved it! Really dark and sad, yet I still laughed.

[@avisrobinson452]

This was a good interview. 👍🏽 🥰🤣

[@surgec]

His latest standup was like a podcast episode.

[@yoda5436]

i gotta say the bit with name gifts is really amazing cuz like obviously it's a bit of a gag, but there are some genuine things in there, like the first necklace is just like a nice gift to give someone lmao

[@gwen6622]

wow this was a really great interview

[@70foolio]

Congratulations Jarrod. I loved your TV show and love that you can be more free today and we love you and hope to see so much more from you in the movie business. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@lifewk]

He definitely seems happier now, that makes me happy too

[@lebogangpebane1260]

"In pain for 30 years" deep

[@rollotomasi4135]

I'm a big fun of him. And after coming out he became really huge. Outstanding talent and humanity. So glad for him

[@thape54]

This man is a treasure. So thoughtful.

[@AmanGillNow]

seriously amazing interview!!! ah the outfit change! the authenticity! the movie! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@kennethheyward6304]

So cute and nervous but confident all at the same time.

[@WillBurleyWineShop]

I love this interview!

[@skeletonfactory6000]

he came out 3 years ago on the breakfast club and (the amazing) home movies. so great he can capitalize on it now. :)

[@nwadi6408]

Love this brother.

[@robotdowney]

The best interview from kimmel yet

[@marcusw.bryant4857]

I've watched Jerrod Carmichael on Netflix once. His sitcom

[@wolfkitz1446]

Noted.

[@luminarylunabeams]

I knew it, but I only knew it from him not ever having a relationship in high school or any interest in anyone. I had always had a feeling but never cared if he was or wasn't either way. Good on him for doing it in his own time. Congrats on the Emmy Jerrod. He is a great person and the same as he was when we went to school together. Proud of him!

[@stayhappylittlemermaid]

Today expect something good to happen to you no matter what occurred yesterday. Realize the past no longer holds you captive. It can only continue to hurt you if you hold on to it.😇

[@JUSTINADAMISHIGH]

thank you

[@malcomthomas1091]

Thank you baby

[@DiegoMendoza-bg5oh]

Thank you I needed this

[@leobarboza1976]

I needed this. Thank you

[@hollysscenepacks1228]

LOVE U JIMMY

[@lorrainescandia6267]

I adore him.

[@dfrnt_hues]

Jerrod reminds me so much of Tyler The Creator. Ever since the Flower Boy interview I’ve seen so many similarities. Their style, hope quickly they can go from serious to jokes, their obsession with their craft.

[@boringpage9779]

I’ve noticed this too. Even like, their attitude, cause when I was watching Rothaniel, I was like “okay he’s OBVIOUSLY been hanging out with Tyler” lol but Tyler did say that Jerrod is one of his “big homies” so it makes sense.

[@manzijoel5224]

When I discovered it’s Jerrod’s voice at the beginning of “Thank You” by Tyler, I was surprised, but it also made lots of sense. Very excited to keep following both of these black trailblazers!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love him

[@jeffreyglenellen1188]

This like was like a really cool, like, interview😩

[@Legoattempt2000s]

I still can't watch him without expecting the words "any doll maker would know that" coming out of his mouth.

[@sharpedge3355]

Rothaniel is the BEST name ever!! One can go so wrong in coming up with a combo or original or unique name but this one blows all others outta the water for me!!!! Roth for short. Strong. Customized. Love it soooooo much. And like Beyonce, Oprah etc. a stand out special type moniker. Love it!!!!

[@myeclecticchoices]

This is sweet.

[@ronineditor9920]

I didn't know anything about him until his SNL hosting and dude was hilarious.

[@asteverino8569]

Mr Carmichael. Thank you. I will YT your stuffs now. I am also sensitive and been stayin away from social media things. Be well and out like you wanna be. I came out in 1975, I think 🧐 But I am human being first.

[@malking8818]

LMAOO not the better pictures 😹

[@AntonQvarfordt]

Love this guy

[@debbiedefiestheoddsdebm9604]

Loved the kast comment about personal invitation to get robbed 😆😆

[@wilfredoriverajr.]

lovely person that guy.

[@virginiamoore2788]

What a wonderful guy ❤️ so honest and authentic. And what courage to be your true self no matter what anyone thinks!

[@damaniqphillip2756]

Awesome

[@lirianoc]

As a non-native English speaker, I wonder about the excessive use of "like", multiple times in a sentence 🤔

[@stevebaker2890]

I think it is a space filler while trying to figure how to articulate what you want to say next.

[@boganshazz821]

As a native English speaker, I too wonder😉

[@robotdowney]

I thought every language has one word used like that. In Russian some people say shortly or kinda way too much

[@neishab6637]

His show was so good! Hopefully, coming out draws more attention to his brand. Good for him 👏. Sad for me, he’s off my celebrity hall pass list. 😉

[@DerekHoscorner]

Jimmy Kimmel jerrod Carmichael revealing awesomeness job interview

[@kathybell6268]

What's with the lighting? We can hardly see him?

[@missyg8664]

Love Jerrod! He’s the hook and I’m a fish!!! ❤️

[@leesha07]

Loved the movie!

[@terencedhlamini7682]

The hand in his jacket when he walked out...if you know you know

[@kendavis744]

i have never heard of this guy but I am so happy that he's happy about coming out Go J!!

[@jsjanisrobin]

I adore this man

[@amirat8162]

I love him so much.

[@kaykpegasus]

The fact that Jimmy knew what a pick was!!!

[@AntonQvarfordt]

MSN (I think) used to have this emoji that just cycles really fast through all of the emojis... Like it's pukes, hearts, gasp, shrug, relent, cheers, screams, cries, sleeps, jumps - etc etc etc.. That was a great emoji.. Emoji-places should have that emoji. Get on it... Emoji-places

[@jinuv3749]

❤❤❤

[@peachesandpoets]

I'm happy for him

[@hellostacks]

bro said “sometimes you gotta” and my brain disappeared

[@catherinereynolds9644]

This is a funny man!!!!!

[@catherinereynolds9644]

So sweet, that, as the crowd cheers, he appears startled.

[@MrKelly-ll1lx]

May the LORD be with him!🙏🏾

[@kingdt903]

Tell me you don’t have any black friends without telling me you don’t have any black friends ? Jimmy: “I see you rocking a pic. I haven’t seen them in years. You are bringing them back. Early 70s vibe” Wtf Jimmy picks never went away 😂😂

[@BigBewtieHoles]

Can anyone tell me if he was the guy who went on tour with nick kroll and aziz ansari before he came up? I couldn’t remember the dudes name but he was hilarious

[@beenice9867]

What a nice man. I’m proud of you for coming out! God bless.

[@prosperbenjamin84]

I don’t like the transformation asking with the reveal. His entire character shifted.

[@DONTOURAGETV]

It’s easy to see 👁 why he’s gaining all this Success , Getting Movie Deals and Comedy Specials

[@JB-pl1iu]

Cool guy.

[@NewMessage]

'Roth' is objectively a better name than 'Jerry' anyway.

[@TheTrojanMaker]

damn, he is a strong man. The way he can joke about his depression, that takes a lot of strengh

[@HarrietOwens-jr8ip]

Jerrod what ever turns you on that makes you Happy just be you and God be with you All the Way 😊❤❤ 6:37

[@8grove]

When is Jimmy coming out?

[@dirtybird2316]

Am I the only person who saw that freemasonry hand sign as he walked out with his hand in his coat lol

[@Carlover19538]

dirtybird_TV found out the societal secrets you sheeple will never understand

[@Makavilletc]

Im choosing the chicken sandwich every time jerrod

[@luisgrullon4002]

Could this be an April fools joke…? Will wait until next year.

[@puspavelai8353]

Haha! "As someone who never really needs to know you had a baby.." He's correct! He's not being dismissive either! It's more about the person *sharing the news?* People *choose* the people who's directly, likely to, enhance that particular event or experience. So, by the way, dude should give up on emails! Texting, is an alternative! :)

[@HeyNowMal]

He seems like a nice person. I listened to his Stern interview. I’m sorry, but he takes FOREVER to make a point and spit out his answers. Lots of umms it’s so distracting

[@icer39]

I ain't never seen people cheer for someone for being hetero

[@LeftHandLane5]

From this point on Jimmy will never not be a strong Southern black woman in my eyes