Cheers to Jimmy Fallon on his 50th birthday! The dynamic Tonight Show host has become a staple in people’s nightly routine, making them laugh with his witty humor and hilarious sketches. But do you know what drives Jimmy Fallon beyond his on-screen persona? Read also: Jimmy Fallon previews a show with Desi Diljit Dosanjh and the Internet has a new name for him

To mark his 50th birthday, we explore some fascinating, lesser-known facts about the man behind the laughter.

Jimmy Fallon wanted to become a priest

Did you know that Jimmy Fallon once dreamed of becoming a priest, far from the glamorous world? The popular presenter, born in Brooklyn, attended a Catholic school. Previously, he confessed that when he was an altar boy, he thought about becoming a priest. However, he decided to pursue a career as a comedian instead. At the 2018 New Yorker Festival, he said: “I loved it. I loved the whole idea. I loved dressing up. I loved the smell of incense. I mean, I loved the whole idea.”

Jimmy Fallon is a popular presenter, but a college dropout

Before becoming a household name, Jimmy Fallon took an unconventional path. He dropped out of college just one semester shy of graduating. Just months before graduation, 21-year-old Jimmy Fallon left college to study comedy in Los Angeles. Fast forward to 2009: Jimmy’s successes and global recognition earned him a belated bachelor’s degree in communications.

Jimmy Fallon’s father was a Vietnam War veteran

Interestingly, Jimmy’s father was a Vietnam War veteran. After his military service, he pursued his love of music by singing in a street group. His mother was a nun, but only for a month. Jimmy likes to joke about the time his mother left everything behind to become a nun, attributing it to the release of the 1965 film “The Sound of Music.”

Jimmy Fallon failed an audition

As a teenager, Jimmy Fallon was obsessed with Saturday Night Live and insisted on watching the show alone and without friends. In 1997, he auditioned for Saturday Night Live. However, the casting directors decided against adding him to the cast. He went back and got the green light. He was the star of SNL from 1998 to 2004.

Jimmy Fallon is a multi-talent

Jimmy Fallon is also an author and has written several books. In 1999, he and his sister Gloria wrote “I Hate This Place: The Pessimist’s Guide to Life.” Since then, he has written over five books. In fact, he is preparing to publish a children’s book, “5 More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween.” He is also a Grammy Award winner. His 2012 album “Blow Your Pants Off” won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album.