When Jimmy Fallon was still a budding talent, he found himself sneaking onto television sets for a glimpse behind the scenes of the entertainment world. Recently, the talk show host confessed to a daring move he made back in 1998; during the taping of the finale of “Seinfeld,” Fallon snuck onto the set and even stole a prop from star Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment.
During a lively game of hot potato with guest Grace Van Patten on a recent episode of “The Tonight Show,” Fallon was asked if he had ever stolen anything. With a grin, Fallon admitted to stealing a candy bar as a kid and a toothbrush from the set of “Seinfeld” as an adult. Sharing the story with Van Patten, Fallon recounted his experience of sneaking onto the set and taking the toothbrush from Seinfeld’s bathroom.
At the time of his daring feat, Fallon was on the brink of potentially joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” but he was far from the household name he is today. Despite not being famous and definitely not supposed to be on set that day, Fallon managed to keep the prop over the years and even shared the story with Seinfeld himself years later. Seinfeld found the whole incident amusing and declined Fallon’s offer to return the stolen toothbrush.
In a candid conversation during an episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” in 2014, Fallon recounted how he and a friend snuck into the audience of the “Seinfeld” finale without anyone checking for tickets. With a mischievous smile, Fallon admitted to swiping the toothbrush from the set’s bathroom and keeping it as a memento.
This daring act of rebellion and mischief underscores Fallon’s journey from aspiring comedian to the beloved late-night host we know today. The stolen toothbrush serves as a symbol of a time when Fallon was still testing the boundaries of fame and success, a reminder of the fearless spirit that would ultimately lead him to stardom.
Check out more of Jimmy Fallon’s engaging interview with Grace Van Patten in the video above.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.