Not many people can say they’ve been on TV, but for NIU alumnus Jimmy D’Ambrosio it has become a regular thing.

At 9 p.m. today, D’Ambrosio will be featured on Bravo Channel’s “Millionaire Matchmaker.”

The show picks two wealthy clients and gives them a complete transformation using personal shoppers, date coaches and therapists. The two clients are then set up on a date.

For D’Ambrosio this is only one of his many TV appearances. For the last three years “Jimmy D,” as his friends call him, has been featured on ESPN’s World Poker Tour, playing with the best the tour can offer.

Even with these accomplishments, the NIU alumnus still has strong feelings for his alma mater.

“DeKalb still has a big place in my heart,” D’Ambrosio said, adding, “I still maintain a DeKalb residence.”

Though D’Ambrosio is technically a “millionaire” because of the money he’s made playing in the World Poker Tour, he also owns many successful bars and restaurants in the Chicagoland area, like Citizen Bar, 364 W. Erie St. in Chicago. He attended NIU from 1995-1998, but after graduating he stayed until 2001 buying real estate and running many of his own businesses.

D’Ambrosio likes to use his DeKalb residence as a way to give himself a break from the pressures of the busy life he runs, said George Daniels, long time friend of D’Ambrosio who attended the “Millionaire Matchmaker” filming with him.

D’Ambrosio doesn’t plan to stop just at the World Poker Tour or “Millionaire Matchmaker.” He also has early plans for his own reality TV show in the works, but details are unknown.

“I’m an animated fellow. I always try to bring some energy and action to any situation,” D’Ambrosio said.

The real-estate tycoon never rests, now writing his own book about life on the World Poker Tour titled “Overnight Whale.”

“He’s a great person to have as a friend in your life,” Daniels said.