• Bim is a key regulator of T cell apoptosis during the contraction phase of CD8+ T cell response.• Vβ8+ T cells from Bim-deficient mice are resistant to staphylococcus enterotoxin B-induced T cell death.• While the Bim levels did not change after exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B, the Bcl-2 levels decreased.• Shutdown of an acute T cell response to herpes simplex virus involved Bim.• Bim deficiency increases antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses during viral infection. Here, BCL2L11 is linked to viral infectious disease.