After Disney-owned ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel for his fiery remarks about Charlie Kirk, a longtime celebrity friend publicly defended him with an emotional post, sparking an outpouring of Hollywood support and intensifying backlash against Disney for what many see as censorship and betrayal.

The fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s unexpected suspension by Disney-owned ABC is only growing louder, and now a longtime friend of the late-night host has stepped forward with an emotional show of solidarity that has quickly become a rallying cry in Hollywood.

On Tuesday morning, a well-known celebrity — who has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! countless times over the past two decades — took to social media to declare unwavering support for the embattled host.

“I’ve sat on the couch with my friend @jimmykimmel for over 20 years and today I STAND with my friend,” the post read.

“#jimmykimmellive has always been a home away from home for me.

Sending you love and support Jimmy!” The message was accompanied by a candid photo from a past taping, instantly igniting a wave of reactions online.

Kimmel’s suspension, announced last week, came after the host launched a fiery monologue aimed at conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, accusing him of spreading “toxic rhetoric.

” While the moment earned applause in the studio, it reportedly set off alarm bells within Disney and ABC executives, who swiftly decided to pull the plug temporarily on his show — a move they described as “internal review.”

But Hollywood has not stayed silent.

This latest statement of support adds to a growing list of actors, musicians, and fellow comedians who are rallying behind Kimmel, accusing Disney of caving to political pressure.

The star who posted Tuesday’s message has long been a fixture in Kimmel’s orbit, often joking with him on-air and sharing behind-the-scenes moments that gave fans a glimpse of their close friendship.

“He’s more than just a host,” the star once said in a 2018 interview.

“Jimmy makes you feel like you’re coming into his living room every time you walk on that stage.”

The heartfelt tribute struck a chord with fans who flooded the comment section with messages like “Real friends stand up when it counts” and “Disney can’t cancel loyalty.

” Others tagged ABC and Disney directly, demanding the company reinstate Kimmel immediately.

Some even hinted at boycotting Disney projects, a dangerous prospect for a corporation already facing backlash over a string of controversial decisions in recent months.

Meanwhile, Kimmel himself has remained relatively quiet since the suspension, save for a brief message to fans on X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote: “Appreciate the love — I’ll be back soon.”

Industry insiders suggest he’s being advised to keep his head down while Disney weighs its next move, but with each new statement of support from Hollywood power players, pressure is mounting on the network to reverse course.

Behind the scenes, the decision to suspend Kimmel has reportedly sparked division within Disney itself.

Some executives believe the host crossed a line that threatened the company’s reputation for neutrality, while others argue that punishing one of late-night television’s most popular figures could do more damage to Disney’s image than his comments ever did.

This isn’t the first time Kimmel has been at the center of political controversy.

Over the years, he has used his platform to weigh in on issues ranging from healthcare reform to gun control, often sparking heated debates.

But never before has the backlash resulted in a suspension — a fact that makes this moment particularly shocking for both his colleagues and his audience.

As the storm grows, more stars are expected to speak out in the coming days.

Insiders say several of Kimmel’s closest friends and collaborators are preparing statements of their own, potentially turning what Disney hoped would be a quiet disciplinary action into a full-blown Hollywood standoff.

For now, Kimmel remains off the air, and Disney has offered no official timeline for his return.

But if the groundswell of support continues, it may only be a matter of time before the company is forced to bring him back — or risk alienating some of its most valuable talent.

And as one fan wrote beneath Tuesday’s viral post, “When friends, fans, and Hollywood all stand with Jimmy… how long can Disney stand against him?”