Glen Powell Returns as Jimmy Kimmel's First Guest Since Suspension, Reveals Personal Tie to the Show

Glen Powell returned to the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday as the host’s first guest since a suspension last week over comments about the reaction to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The moment underscored a carefully staged re-entry for Kimmel, who faced national scrutiny amid a tense moment in American political discourse and a campus shooting that authorities connected to the incident surrounding Kirk.

Kimmel greeted Powell with warmth and apologized for dragging him into the controversy, telling the actor that he was glad to have him in the studio as the show resumed production. Powell, seated beside his longtime friend, returned the sentiment, saying he was honored to be there and that he was happy to see Kimmel back on the air. "I'm honored - I'm just so happy you're back," Powell said, a light moment amid the week’s heavy headlines. Kimmel acknowledged the fragile moment and framed the reunion as a chance to move forward, adding, "I’m sorry for dragging you into the middle of all this." Powell’s response mixed gravity with humor as the two navigated a sensitive topic in real time.

Powell then recounted a personal connection to the Hollywood-based late-night institution that predated his breakout as a film star. He said he moved to Los Angeles in 2008 with little money and, at times, relied on the show’s snack-packed green room when he couldn’t afford groceries. "So when you can't afford snacks or alcohol, I could always come to the Jimmy Kimmel show and have my feast," the actor quipped, drawing a chorus of laughs and light applause from the audience. Kimmel teased the retelling, joking that Powell might someday say the host saved his life, a joke the two shared with a wink.

Powell, who has appeared in action-packed films such as The Running Man, Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, is also expanding his television footprint with a new series, Chad Powers, set to debut September 30. On Kimmel’s program, Powell talked about the premise, which centers on a football player named Russ Holliday who, after a bad college career, tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers. The character is described as a talented oddball who walks onto the fictional South Georgia Catfish squad in a bid to reclaim his past glory on the gridiron, according to producers’ synopsis. The show will stream on Hulu, a Disney subsidiary, highlighting how Powell’s career continues to straddle big-screen and small-screen storytelling.

Disney, which oversees Hulu and ABC, released a statement Monday confirming the show’s return and explaining that the company had spent the past several days engaging in thoughtful conversations with Kimmel before deciding to bring the program back on Tuesday. The statement signaled a broader attempt to balance creative expression with the company’s response to a highly charged national moment. In his remarks on air, Kimmel stressed that his remarks about the death of the young activist Charlie Kirk were not aimed at belittling the event or changing anyone’s mind. He said it was never his intention to make light of the murder and that blaming any specific groups was not his objective.

"I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind," Kimmel said, noting that his goal was to clarify his intent and acknowledge that some of his comments may have felt ill-timed or unclear in the wake of a senseless crime. Powell’s appearance, planned before the suspension, underscored the entertainment industry’s effort to resume normal programming while managing a difficult public conversation. Powell’s past ties to the show, his current role promoting Chad Powers and Kimmel’s own assurances of accountability together paint a picture of a culture and entertainment landscape that continues to navigate controversy while delivering familiar late-night pacing.

Powell’s filmography and television work—spanning The Running Man, Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters, Hidden Figures, and Everybody Wants Some!!—has buoyed his profile as a versatile star capable of crossing from blockbuster cinema to streaming-driven series. The Chad Powers project, which is to be released later this month on Hulu, represents a broader trend in which actors expand into serialized comedy-drama that blends sports storytelling with character-driven humor. As the episode aired amid ongoing national conversations, Kimmel and Powell’s appearance served as a reminder that entertainment outlets remain a central forum for public reflection even as audiences seek relief and connection through pop culture.