Jimmy Fallon Kills Planned Pasta Sauce Line With Pal Tommy Mottola as Epstein Friendship Is Revealed

Hollywood Reporter

by Kevin Dolak

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Jimmy Fallon's planned collaboration with longtime friend and powerful entertainment executive Tommy Mottola to launch a branded line of pasta sauces has been scrapped due to Mottola's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, revealed through the Epstein Files. The partnership, which was in early development stages, is no longer moving forward as the fallout from Epstein's criminal activities continues to implicate high-profile figures. Mottola and Fallon have been close friends for years, often socializing together in New York City and enjoying Italian cuisine at Rao’s restaurant in East Harlem. Their friendship even included impromptu performances by Fallon during dinners at the iconic eatery. However, Mottola's name appears over 600 times in the Epstein Files, which detail Epstein's criminal activities and his network of associates. These documents reveal a close relationship between Mottola and Epstein, including emails, travel arrangements, and visits to Epstein’s properties spanning from 2006 to 2017. The exposure of Mottola’s connections to Epstein has sparked significant backlash in the entertainment industry. As questions arise about his associations with the convicted sex offender, Mottola is now facing scrutiny over his past actions. This situation mirrors other high-profile figures implicated in the Epstein Files, such as Casey Wasserman, who is being pressured to step down from his position at Wasserman Media Group due to alleged ties to Epstein’s inner circle. The cancellation of Fallon and Mottola's pasta sauce project highlights how the ongoing investigation into Epstein's activities continues to impact the entertainment world. The fallout has led to a reckoning for powerful individuals, with some losing their careers or facing public disgrace. As more details emerge from the 300 gigabytes of documents released by the Justice Department, the entertainment industry is grappling with the consequences of its past associations with Epstein and other controversial figures.

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/14/2026