Jimmy Kimmel Sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez Joins ‘Dancing With the Stars’ S35

Guillermo Rodriguez, the beloved sidekick of Jimmy Kimmel, is trading the late-night desk for the ballroom. The longtime “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality was announced as the fourth celebrity contestant for “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 during the June 17 episode of Kimmel’s show.

Rodriguez joins a growing cast that includes “The Traitors” runner-up Maura Higgins, “Summer House” fixture Ciara Miller and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson.

The full lineup of celebrities and professional dancers will be revealed Sept. 2 on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Season 35 is set to premiere in fall 2026 on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

From Security Guard to Late-Night Star

Rodriguez’s journey to the “DWTS” ballroom is a remarkable Hollywood story. He started working at “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” more than 23 years ago as a parking lot security guard.

Kimmel discovered him and gradually brought him on-air, where he became a fan favorite through comedy sketches and recurring segments.

Over the years, Rodriguez developed his own signature bits, including his famously boozy appearances on the Oscars red carpet.

He also accompanied Kimmel when the comedian hosted the Academy Awards and joined him for cross-country road trips. Beyond late-night, Rodriguez made a cameo in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and appeared in other film and television projects.

Now the 55-year-old will take on a new challenge: competing for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The announcement was made live on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” with Rodriguez confirming he’s ready to dance.

Strong Season Ahead for DWTS

“Dancing With the Stars” is coming off a landmark 34th season, which ABC said delivered the show’s strongest finale audience in a decade.

The season finale in November 2025 brought in 72 million votes, with nearly half a billion votes cast throughout the entire season. Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson took home the win.

Season 35 will again be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

The series is produced by BBC Studios in front of a live audience. The full celebrity cast, professional dancer pairings and premiere date will be announced Sept. 2 on “Good Morning America.”

Rodriguez’s addition continues a trend of reality and personality-driven contestants for the long-running competition series. As he trades his security guard uniform for dance shoes, fans of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will have a new reason to tune in this fall.