2025 1:02 PM EDTJay Leno isn't going to let anything keep him away from his stand-up set
The former Tonight Show host has had his share of unusual accidents over the last few years
"People get banged up in real jobs all the time," he joked on the April 23 episode of In Depth With Graham Bensinger
While everyone trips and falls every once in a while
Leno's accidents have been particularly dramatic with noticeable injuries
In November 2024, the 75-year-old comedian fell 60 feet down a hill outside of his Pennsylvania hotel
Not only did he hit his head on a rock while he was tumbling downhill
but he also broke his wrist and endured major facial and body bruising
"I had a show to do," Leno defended his decision to perform
Bensinger noted that it was a pretty serious injury and Leno somewhat conceded
I'm blind in one eye,'" Leno responded
"...That was pretty funny that I fell down that stupid hill… I broke my wrist
But my face got really bashed in." He performed for the crowd before even seeking medical attention which shows his dedication to his craft
Leno also spent a week in the burn unit in November 2022 after a fire broke out in his garage while he was working on his automobile collection
The accident required skin-grafting surgery on his hands
Leno has since recovered from all of his injuries
American automotive enthusiast and former chat show host Jay Leno recently took the Telo MT1 electric truck out for a test drive
The quirky little truck is a Mini Cooper-sized pickup that could change the EV segment
and it’s very different from other electric trucks available
Leno was walked through some of the details of the truck
and he was then lucky enough to get to take it out for a test drive
Leno revealed a few new things about the Telo MT1
highlighting what makes it such an interesting proposition
DISCOVER OUR SUPERCAR AUCTION SITE – View live auctions on SBX Cars
To keep costs down for the moment, the Telo MT1 EV currently uses Tesla battery cells
These are the same used in the Tesla Model 3
The aim is to eventually produce their own 106KWH battery packs in-house
Telo is also targeting to get the weight down to just 4,400LBS
lighter than many modern trucks currently on sale
Leno also found out that the MT1 is homologated as an MPV
That means we could get different body styles for it, and the company does plan to turn it into a three-row SUV
Leno was naturally very happy to take the truck out for a spin
Initial impressions reveal the cabin to be a bit noisy
But this is a pre-production model and not the finished truck
did seem suitably impressed with the truck
He was even more impressed because the team behind it is quite small
The comedian also loved the power of the truck and its four-wheel drive system
It looks like there is a lot of promise for the MT1
and it’s refreshing to see a new electric truck that isn’t a giant
the company behind it delivers on its promise with its production vehicle
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience
having written for various publications since 2017
Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University
Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia
He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives
Jay Leno was granted conservatorship over his wife of 45 years
in April 2024 after announcing her dementia diagnosis
The former late-night host filed for conservatorship of his longtime wife in January 2024; his request was granted that April
Michael Nied has been a digital news editor with PEOPLE since 2025
He has previously been published by Just Jared
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The Warner Theatre has announced that the legendary Jay Leno will be performing live on Friday
Leno performs more than 100 stand-up shows annually across the country and internationally; participates in numerous charity and corporate events
and writes a monthly column in various automotive magazines
And in his "spare" time (as if he has any)
he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles
including an acclaimed eco-car in his eco-friendly green garage
Theater is progress. Theater is always moving forward. Always innovating. Always creating something new. New Works are the lifeblood of the Theatre. Whenever a new play is given a World Premiere, it should be celebrated. TheatreWorks presented the world premiere of Upstate to great success.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast member, Barry Bostwick (the iconic Brad Majors) who will be visiting cities across the US and Canada.
Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner will return to the Hudson Valley with two performances of her “Greatest Hits” solo concert for families on Sunday, June 1 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill, New York.
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Jay Leno has been true to the marriage vows he swore to Mavis Leno almost 45 years ago
But their entire life together has been a story of nonstop support
Jay Leno has entertained millions of people over the years
But little has mattered as much as keeping the love of his life smiling
"Nothing was more fun than making my mom laugh or pleasing my mom," the comedian told Oprah Winfrey in 2002
"So I've transferred that to my wife
Now don't get it confused: I don't see my wife as my mom
But making her happy or making her laugh is a priority."
Luckily for Jay, who's turning 75 on April 28, Mavis Leno always thought he was pretty hilarious
"I know there are certain things that will always make my wife laugh—like anything involving the cat," Jay continued
you can't have a dollar.' Then the cat meows
I'm sure the Kitty Council has a lot of power to make me do that.' And then I hear her laugh!"
"It's basically what we did before,” Jay said recently on In Depth With Graham Bensinger of their ongoing togetherness
"Except now I have to feed her and do all those things
Mavis' condition became public in April 2024 when Jay filed to establish a conservatorship over his wife's estate
Mavis was "in agreement" with the arrangement
and was "receiving excellent care with her husband
And the 78-year-old's spouse been happy to live up to the vows they exchanged on Nov. 3, 1980. (Which, incidentally, was also Jay's parents' anniversary, and Mavis, as she told the Los Angeles Times in 2014
Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife
I'm out banging the cashier at the mini mart?'" Jay reflected on In Depth
the whole "in sickness and in health" part factored heavily into their decision to tie the knot when they did
Mavis Nicholson went to Los Angeles' famed Comedy Store one night in January 1976 to network
She did not expect to be swept off her feet by one of the comics
"I was writing comedy with some partners," Mavis recalled to the LA Times in 2014
'You have to hang out at the Comedy Store and the Improv
you'll meet people who can give you jobs
they sat us front row center—that means you're this far from the comic
And there was his latest girlfriend to be born on Sept
"The interesting thing is," Jay told the Times
"I've probably lived with five women
and every one of them was born on the same day
'September 5.' I don't know why that is
I don't look for a woman born on September 5
not realizing all the comedians would be congregating toward the back of the club
"I had made up my mind when I was little that I would never get married or have children," Mavis said
The start of their courtship coincided with Jay's career beginning to take off
"I had this insurance policy," Jay said
"and I thought if something happened to me
forgoing his offer to get her an engagement ring at the time since they had just bought a house because
"I'm not that kind of person." (Though she didn't mind the massive diamond he gave her years later.)
Mavis also didn't think she was the marrying kind
but was "insanely in love" with Jay
The self-described "voyager" compared a previous long relationship to an island she spent time on before sailing along—and "with Jay
I realized all this time I'd been sailing
"he made me laugh till I almost died many times in the course of a lifetime."
But a couple can't be laughing all the time
"He thinks the same things are important that I think are important
the same things are wrong that I think are wrong
and we understand each other completely."
So while George Clooney recently raised a few skeptical eyebrows when he said he and wife Amal Clooney have never had an argument in their 11 years of marriage
Jay might be more inclined to nod in agreement
"There's really nothing worth fighting about," Jay told the LA Times
"I mean if you marry someone who is not crazy
then.' It doesn't matter that much
'Work on a marriage,'" noted Mavis
"I think if you work on knowing your own faults and trying to correct them
you're not going to have to work on your marriage."
Another important thing Jay and Mavis were on the same page about was their decision to remain a family of two
so that was fine," Jay told Oprah in 2002
"We've been able to date a lot because of it."
Either he'd fly home from gigs right after performing or
if he was going somewhere "interesting," Mavis would come with him
you want to go to Vegas tonight?' If we had kids
it would involve the sitter and this and that," Jay explained
I'd be onstage for an hour and a half
then we'd go have the rest of the time to ourselves."
the first years were admittedly hard for Mavis
and every person on the planet was asking him for something," she recalled to the LA Times
I'm going to be the one who doesn't ask for anything
but that can also feel like distance."
That rough patch made them stronger in the end
"however steadfast your feelings for each other
your life circumstances are going to go all over the place."
But she also didn't just sit around in the meantime
A longtime women's rights activist and philanthropist
she became chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation's Campaign to Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan in 1997
work that was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize
"I've always wanted a situation where people would go
You know what they say about something being funny because it's true
and now it's my turn to help her," Jay added
"I always look for qualities in women that I don't have
To which Mavis assured that Jay was "the most do-gooder type in the world."
"This is a subject I’m very, very angry about to this day," she shared on 60 Minutes a few weeks before Jay left his late night post for good on Feb
"It made me angry because there was this perception that for some reason Jay had decided to give up the show
It was like he gave the show to Conan and then he took it back
The famed gearhead hardly retired post-Tonight
maintaining a busy stand-up schedule and hosting Jay Leno's Garage on CNBC from 2015 until 2022
but he has remained hale enough to care for Mavis full-time (with professional help)
"When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day, it's a challenge," he told Graham Bensinger on In Depth
"And it's not that I enjoy doing it
It's being there for all of it that "defines a marriage," Jay observed
I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense
I would rather be with her than doing something else."
And while there are days where Mavis doesn't recognize her husband of 44-plus years and she can't reminisce about all the fun times
"I thought he was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen
I still do," Mavis told the Times in 2014
"It's really important to think the same things are funny
And the good examples Jay's and my parents' happy marriages undoubtedly contributed
I think a lot of people have a very unrealistic idea of what a long relationship will be like."
Check out all the famous couples who've been making it work for at least 50 years:
'It's stay going.' There's a lot to be said about that
So we're not in each other's face all the time
but yet we have the things we love to do together
He was the one I was supposed to have and vice versa."
"That it's just children out here being raised by women
‘We are going to stay together no matter what
When you find joy in life's daily activities, Bonnie says your marriage could last forever. "We're very happy," she told People when celebrating 72 years of marriage in January
"We sit in this house and we do things
He reads his New York Times and he does Cameos mostly
And we do conventions and things like that
And we would do anything for each other."
These high school sweethearts celebrated their 50th anniversary in November 2020. "There's no technique," Ron told People just one year earlier
"There's no tactic other than communication is really important
You have to learn to communicate and have difficult conversations in constructive ways."
After meeting during a production of West Side Story in the '60s, this couple continues to savor every moment together with gratitude. "Every once in a while, I'll be looking out the window, and I'll think, 'I feel pretty good,'" Christopher told New York Times Magazine in February 2022
After 65 years of marriage, the couple has found their groove away from the spotlight in Long Island, New York. In an interview with The New Yorker
Alan said he and his wife enjoy playing chess during the day and ladder ball before dusk
it's a nice dinner and a quality TV show
It's not noisy in the country," he said in June 2022
Through sickness and in health! After Martin recovered from a heart attack and nervous breakdown in the late '70s, he recalled a few words his wife told him. "It was very serious, and she handled it like a pro," he told Closer Weekly in 2016
"She had me laughing in the most dire circumstances
'Don't take yourself so seriously.' Every day is a celebration with this dame."
After meeting in 1971, Lily and Jane have been inseparable. When asked to share advice for other couples, Lily kept it simple. "We all have a secret," Lily told reporters in 2019
"It's just the secret is that you're committed and care and you want it to work out
You don't want to walk away from something that's important."
Jay Leno is glad he stayed committed to wife Mavis
The former "Tonight Show" host discussed staying true to his vows and being a dedicated caretaker to Mavis Leno, 78, amid her "advanced" dementia diagnosis, in an April 23 appearance on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger."
Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife?"
said he still enjoys the time spent with his wife
except now I have to feed her and do all those things
Leno said that despite people with dementia forgetting their loved ones
he tries to remind his wife of their memories together with pictures on flash cards
In January 2024, Leno filed to be appointed conservator of his wife's estate amid her diagnosis
major neurocognitive disorder," her physician wrote in a doctor's capacity declaration
which also outlined the decline of her cognitive function
Leno said "you have to find the humor" in caring for someone at her stage
He told a story about taking Mavis shoe shopping
realizing his wife picked a $700 pair of shoes that looked remarkably similar to a $24 pair
Though Leno is realistic about what being a caregiver to your spouse means
"When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day
'This person is attractive and sexy,' and having sex with them and everything
I'm going to be called upon to defend myself," he said of the moral obligation
"I think that's really what defines a marriage
The former late-night host said he's proud he stayed the course
I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense
I would rather be with her than doing something else," he said
you sort of take a vow: 'Will I live up to this
I'm out banging the cashier at the mini-mart?'" Leno told the podcast's host
They still do many of the things they did before
The couple met in the '70s at a comedy club in Los Angeles and married in 1980
Leno was granted conservatorship over his wife's estate in 2024
When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day," Leno said
it's part of his commitment to her and their marriage vows
I'm going to be called upon to defend myself
I think that's really what defines a marriage
I would rather be with her than doing something else," Leno said
Leno isn't the only celebrity who has spoken about the experience of being a caregiver to a loved one
and that was even with all the support I had from my brothers and colleagues," Lowe wrote
after he received a frontotemporal dementia diagnosis in 2023
"You know, I have my moments. It just depends. I'm hanging in there and doing the best that I can. And, turning my pain into purpose," Heming Willis said in a 2023 Instagram Live
more and more people will probably need help with tasks at some point in their lifetime
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
the number of caregivers in the US increased from 43.5 million in 2015 to about 53 million in 2020
A representative for Leno didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours
the trajectory of Jay and Mavis Leno’s dating relationship would be considered unusual
Meeting at Los Angeles’ “Comedy Store” in the late 1970s
offered his new love interest $35 instead of buying her something from the bar
and you can buy a blouse or something,” he told her
As their dating relationship progressed and Jay fell in love
he became concerned that Mavis didn’t have any safety net in the event something happened to him
we’re covered,” he told People Magazine
“I always had this idea that I would never get married,” she once shared
I began to realize that this was the first time I was ever with someone where I had a perfect
calm sense of having arrived at my destination.”
Jay Leno has been retired from The Tonight Show since 2014
He’s continued to perform as a stand-up comic upwards of 200 times a year and hosts a show on YouTube called “Jay Leno’s Garage.” He owns more than 250 antique and exotic automobiles and is known to enjoy tinkering with and driving many of them
The former late-night host recently sat down with podcaster Graham Belsinger and talked at length about his life
marry the person you wish you could be,” Jay offered
“And that’s why if I married another self-centered person who was funny
My wife does a lot of charity work and things like that
I married the person that had the ideals I wish I had.”
Jay told a reporter that Mavis has been his best friend
She’s the most independent woman I ever knew
I am part of her legacy and that’s what I’m proudest of.”
While Jay Leno has suggested his faith has kept him going
he hasn’t spoken or reflected publicly about how or what that faith means to him
Both Jay’s and Mavis’ reflection about her “feminism” and “independence” are telling and instructive
The empty promises of both are exposed and revealed in the Leno story
Mavis almost never got married because of feminism
and Jay was almost deprived of the honor and fulfillment of serving his wife because of her otherwise stubborn streak
It’s estimated that over seven million Americans are suffering from some form of dementia
a crippling and cruel disease that robs individuals of not only their memories
Mavis Leno and all those suffering from memory loss are deserving of our prayers
as well as their caretakers like Jay and all the spouses
and professional healthcare workers committed to serving others with compassion
but there is nothing funny about the challenges he faces as a husband
But his public proclamation of support and devotion to Mavis is honorable
refreshing and inspiring – and undoubtedly
Image from Getty.
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My life was fine without one for over a decade
as I maneuvered through NYC thanks to (mostly) reliable public transit
But my wife and I were gifted my mother-in-law’s 2006 Kia Spectra
complete with a CD player that doesn’t work and duct tape covering something on the front
I’ve never pulled the tape up to check just in case it’s load-bearing
but having to use the car over the last six years has strengthened my belief that cars suck and our country should be connected by a series of easily accessible trains
I don’t have to tell you that Jay Leno is a hack comedian who failed upwards his entire career just like I don’t have to tell you that water makes things wet
Leno spent decades subjecting midwestern rubes to his misogynistic “jokes” with his late-night show
he screwed over Conan O’Brien when he realized his relevance would plummet if he moved on from his daily timeslot
he pivoted to his love of classic cars and denim suits
That’s what brings us here today! Leno is currently fighting to make sure his classic cars (anything older than 35 years) do not have to abide by California’s smog check laws
which require cars to have their smog levels inspected
There is already an exemption for cars built before 1975
he shouldn’t have to get his car from 1989 checked because he barely drives it
and the smog check stations are too far away for him to drive
you have to drive your luxury cars to get them checked
If the places to get them checked are too far away
maybe fight to have more stations installed
you can’t spend your money to allow your cars to be checked at your garage
Like every rich person in this dumb place called Earth
he’d rather fight for fewer regulations that are put in place to keep people safe because they are inconvenient
Kimmel publicly called out Leno for taking back 'The Tonight Show' from Conan O'Brien after handing over the reins in 2010
Robin L Marshall/Getty; Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Apr 28, 2025 12:23 AM EDTJay Leno is no stranger to late-night feuds
The story of exactly how the comedian landed in Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show chair
despite David Letterman also being a contender
became the stuff of legends—plus a bestselling book (Bill Carter’s The Late Shift) that was later turned into an HBO movie.
When NBC suggested moving the eponymous talk show into The Tonight Show's slot
O’Brien bowed out and Leno resumed his place behind The Tonight Show desk in 2010
That same year, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel dropped by The Tonight Show to chat with Leno, and couldn’t help himself from taking a few jabs at all the behind-the-scenes drama.
When Leno asked Kimmel to share the best prank he had ever pulled, Kimmel shot right back: “I think the best prank I ever pulled was I told a guy that, ‘Five years from now, I’m going to give you my show.’ And then when the five years came, I gave it to him and then I took it back almost instantly.”
Leno played the role of good sport and laughed along, but Kimmel didn’t let up. In what seemed to be an unrelated topic, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host shared how he’s not into strippers “because you have this phony relationship with them for money. Similar to that of when you and Conan were on The Tonight Show together passing the torch.”
Fifteen years later, Leno is finally speaking out about that moment. And admitting that he made “a mistake” by letting the segment air. During an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, the comedian admitted that, “When Kimmel came on my show and humiliated me on my own show, I let it happen.”
“I didn’t edit it,” Leno continued. “It was my mistake. I trusted somebody. I went, ‘Ah, I made a mistake. OK, I should pay the price.’ And it's fine, it's fine. I mean, we could have edited it out of the show.”
When Bensinger pressed about why he chose to leave it in, despite the humbling comments, Leno was honest: “Well, because it happened. It’s real. It happened. It’s my mistake. That’s how you learn.”
While the Leno-Kimmel feud continued for many years, both have stated publicly that they have since patched things up. Kimmel said that Leno reached out to him after his young son underwent open heart surgery and they had “made peace.” Though just last week, while sitting down with Ben Affleck on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel reminded The Accountant 2 star of the time he found himself at Affleck’s house making small talk with Leno, who arrived right after him.
By Jennifer M. WoodJennifer M
Leno also downplayed notions of a long-standing feud between him and his fellow late-night host and comedian
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty
"He's a comic — you do what you gotta do," Leno said of the tense 2010 incident
Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Shifting Gears episode "Gummies." Stream the episode with a Hulu subscription and read at your own risk
and while I expected him to refer to the previous series like Travis did
the ABC comedy hit us with a curveball by referencing another one of Allen's earlier projects: Home Improvement
Their brief conversation made it sound like the two were pretty friendly
at least enough for Leno to rib him about his resemblance to a television character
Jay Leno showed up toward the end of the episode
arriving at the auto shop to pick up one of his cars that he'd "forgotten about." He then briefly talked to Matt
and recalled a voicemail he sent him the night prior where he wasn't making much sense
The voicemail didn't make sense because Matt had taken a marijuana edible
and it jogged his memory of something else he'd seen the night before:
it was fun to have my expectations subverted
I would love to see Taran Noah Smith show up and play a character on Shifting Gears
We'll see what actors from Tim Allen's past will show up on future episodes of Shifting Gears, which air on ABC on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. This sitcom is one of the top shows so far on the 2025 TV schedule
so be sure to catch up if you haven't already
but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek
He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television
He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well
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Margaret Cho tearfully opened up about her encounter with Jay Leno and his wife
the 56-year-old American comedian and actress chronicled a touching tale when she saw Lenos during her and Jay’s performance at a comedy club
and Jay was leaning down and just kind of whispering in her ear.”
do you want to say hi to the dog?' Understanding that she had some difficulty with what was going on in the room and a little bit of confusion."
"He was getting ahead of it by really quietly leaning over and just explaining to her what was happening."
Margaret got emotional and went on to note by saying
grand expressions of love on social media where people are taking you on these whirlwind vacations and going on a yacht or going to Paris or whatever
The love between Jay and Mavis felt unadulterated
I'm sure it could be so easy to put somebody who has dementia in a facility or put them at home when you can just go out.”
he just leans down and explains what's going on
it is pertinent to mention that Jay and Mavis tied that knot in 1980 but their relationship transformed in a new and better way when the 75-year-old American television host and comedian filed for conservatorship for his wife following her “advanced dementia” diagnosis in January 2024
“I would rather be with her than doing something else.”
About a year after Jay Leno was granted a conservatorship over the estate of his wife Mavis
the comedian is opening up about becoming her caretaker
Mavis Leno was diagnosed with dementia some years ago
her attorney told the courts that her condition had progressed to the point that her husband had taken over the finances
Being a caretaker to a loved one with dementia is not easy, and earlier this week, the former late-night host talked about what the experience has been like for him. During an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger
the host asked about what dealing with his wife’s diagnosis has taught Leno about himself
you sort of take a vow: ‘Will I live up to this
I’m out banging the cashier at the mini-mart?'” Leno replied
He remarked that their current routine is not all that different from what it was pre-diagnosis
except now he has some added responsibilities
“It’s basically what we did before
I like taking care of her,” he added
“She’s a very independent woman
so I like that I’m needed and that I need to be there.”
but Leno said that stepping up for his wife has added a new dimension to their relationship
“I think that’s what really defines a marriage,” he said
I’m glad I didn’t cut and run; I’m glad I didn’t run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense
I would rather be with her than doing something else.”
When asked why their partnership has been so successful — the Lenos have been married for over four decades — he started with the part that goes without saying: “Obviously
you love each other.” He then reflected on how dating can be particularly challenging for comedians
and can be on the road for long periods of time
if you’re dating someone and they say to you
though: “My wife never asked me not to do this [or said] why do you have to be on the road
Leno said that, even during the tough times, they’re still finding joy. In January, he told the NY Post
We go back on YouTube — they have all the ‘Headlines’ [segments] that we did over the years
and it’s like she forgets that she just saw it
As he told Bensinger: “You have to find the humor in it.”
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After Johnny Carson retired from NBC’s The Tonight Show
Leno was tapped as his replacement despite the fact that Letterman had been hosting Late Night in the following time slot
and Carson had thought he was his natural successor
Leno and Letterman haven’t exactly been chummy
and though the former recently shared why he thinks a reunion with the latter would be “awkward,” it’s actually making me hopeful that it will actually happen
who said it would “bring him no greater joy in life” then to see Leno and Letterman reunited
Here’s what Leno had to say to that:
I think Dave might be awkward… Dave’s a quirky guy
Jay Leno and David Letterman were already well acquainted before this Tonight Show saga unfolded
as Leno had appeared numerous times on Late Night with David Letterman
Leno started substitute hosting for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show starting in 1986
and evidently NBC felt Leno was the better fit to succeed Carson
But even looking the turmoil that this decision spawned
Leno went on to share how he’s already had an awkward encounter with Letterman: He recalled:
let’s stop in Malibu and see Letterman
Let’s just surprise him at his house
this is a mistake,' It was just so awkward
you want a glass of orange juice?’ ‘No
We gotta get going.’ It was just so awkward… because really
you have nothing else in common other than comedy really
that’s practically the textbook definition of awkward
and when you throw in their differing views
that doesn’t make the strongest argument for pairing them back up
That’s not to say Jay Leno would refuse the opportunity if it came along
but he’s also won’t go out of his way to make it happen
But I’m not gonna… I tend to get my hand bitten when I instigate those kind of things
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I’d like to think enough time has passed that in the right environment
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The drag superstar and recording artist recalled event staff asking her to help Leno cover up his bruised face at the last minute before the TV icon did a red carpet
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(KESQ) A bill backed by comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno is picking up speed in the California Legislature
Senate Bill 712 or Leno's Law passed the Senate Transportation Committee this week with bipartisan support
Supporters say the measure is a common-sense update aimed at preserving California’s classic car culture
but its critics warn it could have consequences for the state’s air quality efforts
The former Tonight Show host Jay Leno appeared in Sacramento to show support for the bill
leading a classic car parade to the Capitol before addressing the crowd
“I know there's nothing more annoying than celebrities in politics,' he explained
If passed, the bill would exempt vehicles that are 35 years or older from California’s biannual smog check but only if they are insured as collector vehicles
only cars manufactured before 1976 qualify for the exemption
Supporters say the change is needed and that these vehicles are rarely driven
difficult to maintain under current emissions requirements
One of those supporters is Professor Wesley Willison
a political science instructor at College of the Desert and a longtime collector of rare and vintage vehicles
"These cars make up less than 1% of registered vehicles
These vehicles are not being driven every day
When was the last time you saw Pinto driving around every day
AMC Gremlin or this Imperial?" Willison said
Willison shared footage of one of his own cars undergoing a smog test
explaining that the process is often difficult even for trained technicians
who was in training to take over for this guy when he retires at the at the referee
he couldn't even figure out how to shift my car," Willison said
Not everyone is on board with the proposal
The American Lung Association has come out against the bill
warning that it could undercut California’s hard-won air quality standards
“A real jailbreak for our air quality problems in California,” said Will Barrett
senior director with the American Lung Association
But Willison believes the debate isn’t about dodging regulation — it’s about protecting California’s place as a car culture capital
And the birthplace of car collecting is here in California.”
With high-profile support and growing attention, Leno’s Law appears to be gaining traction but it’s not law yet.
The next stop is the Senate Appropriations Committee
News Channel 3 will continue to track the debate as it moves forward and the latest from state lawmakers in Sacramento
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Famed comic’s ride across western Iowa part of upcoming episode on “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
Is Jay Leno’s Garage big enough for the Big Boy
The legendary comedian with a well-known passion for cars recently tried his hand at steel wheels
riding in the cab of Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No
4014 steam locomotive for an episode on “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
and the episode honors Union Pacific’s role transporting visitors to our nation’s parks
Union Pacific works to inspire the next generation’s love of the outdoors and curiosity about the world around them through the National Park Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program
Leno visited Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet to see the railroad’s garage
where its restored passenger cars are maintained; ate breakfast in the dining car (he loved the bacon); and rode in the cab from Missouri Valley to Denison
and other members of Union Pacific’s Steam Team
Leno hosted “The Tonight Show” on NBC for nearly 17 years
taking over the job from comedian Johnny Carson in 1992 and becoming the nation’s top-rated late night talk show host for many years
Leno had more time to devote to his passion for rare and unique cars
which is the focus of “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
Leno has more than 181 cars and 160 motorcycles
The special episode will be available to watch on Leno's YouTube channel next Monday
Print Jay Leno isn’t keen on a pair of bedazzled $847 sneakers he bought
The former “Tonight Show” host detailed a recent shopping trip with wife Mavis, who is battling advanced dementia, and said that he tries “to find humor in this situation.”
Television
Jay Leno says his wife Mavis Leno is ‘fine’ and ‘everybody’s good’ after he set up a will and conservatorship hinging on her dementia diagnosis
The “situation” refers to to the philanthropist’s declining cognitive state, which prompted Leno to file for a conservatorship early last year to oversee his wife’s affairs
In providing the latest update on Mavis’ condition
the stand-up comedy legend employed his signature wit
The “Midas Man” actor said in a recent interview with People that to cheer up his wife one day, he took her shopping at Nordstrom.
Mavis, 78, picked out a pair of bright blue sneakers that were $24. Then Leno encouraged her to pick out another pair. This time she decided on a red-and-white pair that “made her happy.”
“[The cashier says] ‘That’s $24. And the other pair, that’s $847,’” he said. “I go, ‘No, I only had two pairs of sneakers. I thought these were $24.’ [The cashier] goes, ‘Yeah, these are $24. But the other ones were [designer sneakers]. It looked like the guy took a pair of the same sneakers and used a bedazzler on them, and they were $800. I look at my wife and said, ‘You like these?’ I go, ‘Honey, you look great.’”
Entertainment & Arts
Mavis Leno is battling ‘advanced dementia’ and ‘sometimes does not know her husband
nor her date of birth,’ her court-appointed attorney reported
Despite the eye-popping price tag on the latter pair
Leno said he was glad he could afford the footwear despite the sticker shock
“When you’re dealing with this kind of thing
you find your moments where you can have a laugh and have fun
and my wife really likes them and felt good about it.”
Jay Leno tears up while presenting the inaugural Mavis Leno Award for Global Women’s Rights
In late April, Mavis Leno joined her husband at the premiere of the Netflix film “Unfrosted” and said that she feels great: “We have a great time
A few weeks later, Jay Leno, a two-time Emmy Award winner, said marrying Mavis was his greatest achievement and “the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“I am part of her legacy and that’s what I’m proudest of,” Leno said at the Feminist Majority Foundation’s 16th Global Women’s Rights Awards Gala, where he presented the inaugural Mavis Leno Award for Global Women’s Rights. The award is dedicated to the philanthropist for her Nobel Prize-nominated work as chair of the nonprofit’s Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls.
Times staff writer Meg James and fellow Malia Mendez contributed to this report.
Nardine Saad is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times who covered breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin. She joined The Times in 2010 as a MetPro trainee and has reported from homicide scenes, flooded canyons, red carpet premieres and award shows.
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(FOX26) — State Senator Shannon Grove introduced Senate Bill 712
to exempt classic vehicles from California's smog check requirements
former host of The Tonight Show and a classic car enthusiast
seeks to fully exempt collector motor vehicles that are at least 35 model years old
The law would also require these cars to be insured as collector vehicles
"California has a rich automotive heritage
with some of the first classic cars rolling off assembly lines right here in our state," said Senator Grove
"These rolling pieces of history are more than just vehicles—they have strong cultural ties in our communities and supply thousands of jobs in the aftermarket parts industry."
has been a long time advocate for automotive culture
"California’s rich classic car culture
sparked by the post-war hot rod boom and boosted by Hollywood’s love for chrome and horsepower
has made it a paradise for enthusiasts like me," said Leno
"Our classic cars are only driven for special occasions
The legislation addresses smog check requirements that often hinder classic car owners
California's automotive legacy dates back over a century
with early manufacturers like Studebaker and Pontiac setting up shop in the state
the aftermarket parts industry for these vehicles generates billions annually
President and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Senator Grove’s bill provides a practical solution for collector vehicle owners
allowing them to enjoy their passion without the burden of unnecessary regulations," said Spagnola
and represent only a fraction of the cars on the road."
The bill is expected to move through the legislative process in the coming months
The first bill hearing will be in the Senate Transportation Committee in April
I’m not sure what governmental agency is in charge of making sure the global supply of Jay Lenos stays in good shape and doesn’t get damaged
but that agency really has not been doing its job
causing injuries that include a broken wrist and a whack in the eye from a rock
I should mention here that I do know Jay personally
having worked on Jay Leno’s Garage as a producer
for the episode about my favorite Worst Car Ever Built
I’m not telling you this to just name-drop; I say it because I do think of Jay as a friend and know that he is one of the most approachable
friendly and kind people I’ve had the pleasure to work with
This is a guy who by no rational logic should have anything to do with me
could legally have goons work me over were I to approach within 10 feet of him
Every time I’ve encountered him, he’s always friendly and delighted to talk car stuff. David and I saw him at the Petersen Museum gala a few weeks ago in LA, and I think we talked about the Metz Plan Car
Between takes when we were shooting that episode with the Hoffmann you see up there
Jay was telling me about doing standup shows and encouraging me to get back into doing shows (I have a past in doing standup)
He didn’t quite seem to remember that not everyone can just book shows of the size and scale that he can – he’s Jay Flapjacking Leno – but that he was encouraging and eager to talk about all of it was fantastic
keeps working hard performing and shooting videos and just keeping at it
so when I read that his 60 foot-fall down a rocky hill happened while he was in Pittsburgh to do a show
and he still did the damn show after the fall
The amount of bruising on Jay’s face is alarming
but if Jay has proven anything over the past few years
it’s that he can take a hell of a beating and keep on going
and keeps making people laugh and talking about all sorts of cars as long as possible
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Just make sure he never gets in a car with Richard Hammond
You’d see the explosion from miles away
I suppose everyone has heard the rumours that all of these mishaps are actually him getting roughed up by the bookies (or their goons) to whom he owes huge sums of money…
There’s a ton of other celebrities that would sue Pittsburgh for having hills
I fell down.” Then he laughs at himself
I’m just as surprised as you that Snake Plissken has lived long enough to be an old man
Snake meets the toughest town he never wanted to be in
There is a severe shortage of seriously nice people in the world
so somebody better get on protecting him quick
He is worth more money now among certain collectors
A never ending parade of self-inflicted wounds
but finding new and inventive ways to do it each time
Someone should have told him that no one walks in Pittsburgh because of the hills
One mile there is about 3.7 miles in other cities due to there being no direct route anywhere
No one here is discussing the fact that Jay Leno was staying at Hampton Inn 30 miles from the venue
Wouldn’t the org/event/venue hosting him have a Presidential Suite at a close by hotel
Why does he not have a driver taking him to the restaurant
Neil Peart loved staying in shitty cheap motels when he R1200GSd between shows
The entire band was renowned for skipping the decadent rock band stereotype by retiring to their hotel rooms and catching up in their reading and whatnot
Probably why they could keep playing at their level for as long as they did
He should maybe consider settling down just a little bit
and it made me laugh far harder than it should have
So it’s not just his shirts that are blue now
I was surprised to see him staying at a Hampton Inn
but he seems like the kinda guy to be pretty modest in his spending
He’s all about that free breakfast bar
My sister was on a domestic commercial flight with him
Unlike Zuckerberg who shuttles daily between SF and his place in Hawaii burning tons of fuel a week
“But I don’t want to be a pirate.” Jerry the S
“I wouldn’t give his problems to a monkey on a rock.” Letterman
takes a 60 ft tumble down a hill then immediately goes back to work even though he doesn’t have to work
wouldn’t be at work for weeks after taking a 6 ft tumble down a hill
He went back to work 2 weeks after the gasoline fire
i called in sick when i just hit my toe on my staircase
I mean the only reason he’s working at all is because he enjoys doing it
but how does one delete their account on the Autopian
a freaking Emperor’s New Groove reference was not something I was expecting
I just got out of line and walked over to the Monorailian…
The content here is warm and soothing: The Autopian is a flower and you are a bee
I enjoy this site so much that I have developed a chemical dependence on it
I would be perfectly happy to share with you the account deletion protocol
But I am going to need some help first – if you could just wire me $50,000 I’ll get started on the process
The initial filing process should only take about two weeks
and then another $150,000 wired to me should handle any extra problems
This guy sounds like the Nigerian prince I’ve been emailing with
Helping me get access to a large sum of money trapped in a Western Union account
Make sure you use Western Union if you decide to use him
it’s the only secure way of handling that amount of money
I think they run this whole party on an old Tandy
Should I switch to lynx for a better viewing experience
I wonder whatever happened to the Commodore fueled random number generator
worst car book feature that ran for a few days
and I believe that is the same side of his face that got the skin grafts from the fire
if he’s going to injure himself again
he should really try to get the other side to even it all out
Like that denim shirt he purchased new in 1978
We joke in the rally world that most wrecks occur on the co-driver’s side
Not sure if it’s true but it is a way to irritate co-drivers when walking through the service area and get knowing nods from other drivers
If you see a lantern-jawed dude wearing a hat and fake mustache at next week’s Cars on 5th, don’t get your hopes up: It’s not Jay Leno
The former The Tonight Show host and famous car collector has heard the stories about him going undercover at car shows
He’ll be doing exactly that next week at the Naples Automotive Experience
the 21st annual event that includes the popular car show Cars on 5th on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples
No fake mustaches: People can see Leno’s famous
smooth-shaved face performing stand-up comedy at Hertz Arena (Thursday
attending a sold-out display of curated cars (Friday
Leno — who also hosted the CNBC TV series "Jay Leno's Garage" from 2015 to 2022 — says he loves going to car shows all over the United States
and he’s always happy to chat with people about his favorite subject: cars and motorcycles
He can tell you what day of the week your car was built on
Just don’t expect an entire set of car jokes when he performs at Hertz Arena
the wives of these guys are bored to death as it is,” he says
you know how the carburetor spring on a — you can’t really do that.”
Leno had a lot more on his mind during his interview with The News-Press/Naples Daily News
Here’s what he had to say about Cars on 5th
his massive car collection and being more famous now as a “car guy” than host of “The Tonight Show.”
The interview has been edited for length and clarity
The News-Press/Naples Daily News: Have you ever been to Cars on 5th or the Naples Automotive Experience
and I’ve done some shows down around there
Do you go to a lot of car shows every year
too!’ and we start talking about Falcons and 289s and 260s
people are always standing next to their car: “Hey
Or people ask me about a car I have or some car we road-tested
Jay Leno's massive car collectionAre you looking for anything at Cars on 5th
Are you going to these car shows hoping to buy something
So are most of your purchases happy accidents
I remember I was at a show a long time ago
that’s a nice-looking car!” Black interior
Somebody bought the car new and they kept it through high school or whatever it might be
They just kind of fall into your lap occasionally
you’re probably more famous as a car collector than the host of The Tonight Show
People think “Jay Leno,” and they think “car guy.”
I haven’t been on The Tonight Show for 10 years
You don’t want to be the guy who screws it up for everybody else
I enjoy when people come up and have a car question
you’re just expected to know certain things
and there were always broken snowmobiles and different things like that that needed to be fixed
you could buy a car for $25 — or $50 — and it wouldn’t take much to get it running
I remember there were always used cars around in a field
The battery’s taken out and the tires are gone
When did that turn into a love of cars for you — or an obsession
I don’t know if “obsession” is the right word…
How old were you when it turned into an obsession
You get all the — I still have the car brochures I got when I was 13
The Corvette Stingray and all those kinds of things
“You should’ve been at McDonald’s last night
they all run and they’re all licensed and registered
Probably everything gets taken out once a month or so
what’s your absolute favorite out of your collection
The 21st-annual Naples Automotive Experience takes place Thursday through Saturday
It's organized by the Naples chapter of the Ferrari Club of America
The Naples Automotive Experience raises money every year for St
an organization that fights hunger in Southwest Florida
The 2024 event raised nearly $1.7 million for the charity
Here are the biggest events happening at the 2025 Naples Automotive Experience:
— For tickets and more information, visit naplesautomotiveexperience.org
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7) and Instagram (@crunnells1)
Leno’s appearance on 'Shifting Gears' will air on March 12
Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
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A California lawmaker is teaming with comedian and renowned automotive enthusiast Jay Leno to seek an expansion of smog check exemptions for classic cars
“California has a rich automotive heritage
with some of the first classic cars rolling off assembly lines right here in our state
“These rolling pieces of history are more than just vehicles—they have strong cultural ties in our communities and supply thousands of jobs in the aftermarket parts industry."
SB 712 would expand California's smog check exemptions to cover more classic cars
vehicles manufactured before 1976 are exempt from biennial smog checks
Cars that are at least 35 years old may also be exempted
provided that they are s insured as collector motor vehicles
comply with emissions standards for their time and pass a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks
The proposed legislation would expand the exemption to all vehicles at least 35 years old
so long as they are insured as collector motor vehicles
"Senate Bill 712 will update the current law to include all classic cars that are 35 years or older
allowing enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby without burdensome restrictions that are driving some collectors and industry businesses out of the state," the statement said
As a lifelong car collector with a collection at Burbank Airport encompassing more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles
has made it a paradise for enthusiasts like me," he said
California has been a driving force in shaping car culture
with deep ties to classic cars and a global reputation as a hub for these timeless machines."
the state's regulations of classic cars have fallen behind
"California’s smog check laws for classic cars need to be updated—they vary too much from state to state
and California’s rules don’t match up with neighboring ones," he said
"Our classic cars are only driven for special occasions
I am excited to work with Senator Grove on SB 712 to make it simpler for us to preserve these pieces of history."
Beyond keeping icons of California's automotive history on the road
SB 712 would also provide support to the state's massive specialty automotive industry
The state's aftermarket automotive parts industry generates billions of dollars each year while supporting small businesses
"SB 712 aims to safeguard this economic engine while honoring the state’s pioneering role in car culture."
It's estimates that the aftermarket automotive industry results in more than $40 billion in economic impact annually
including more than 149,000 jobs and more than $6 billion in taxes paid
classic cars bring people together and keep our history vibrant," Grove said
we’re sending a clear message: California values its automotive roots and the communities that keep them running."
The first hearing on the bill is expected to take place before the Senate Transportation Committee in April
The text of the bill can be found online at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
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4 days agoDuration 2:04Mechanic shows off sculpture creation to Jay Leno4 days agoNewsDuration 2:04Peter Solly, a Windsor, Ont., auto shop owner who uses car parts to build statues of celebrities, delivered his sculpture of Jay Leno to the comedian himself on Thursday.
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Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPITTSBURGH (Gray News) – Jay Leno was left pretty banged up after he said he fell down a 60-foot hill while staying at a Hampton Inn near Pittsburgh
In an interview with Inside Edition
Leno said the left side of his body is “all black and blue.” He is also wearing an eyepatch over his injured eye and a cast on his broken wrist
Leno told the outlet that he had been staying at a Hampton Inn about 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh on Saturday night
He fell down the 60-foot hill when he was walking from the hotel to a nearby restaurant for dinner
In an interview with TMZ
Leno said he tried to take a shortcut down the hill
which “didn’t look that steep.” He said when he fell
Leno suffered severe burns to his face and body after a fire in his home garage
There's nothing like the soft lines of a Jaguar E-Type
the throaty exhaust note of a 65' Shelby Mustang
or the fun driving dynamics brought on by the first iteration of BMW's 3-Series
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I'd revel in the unique design of Saab's 900 Turbo—specifically
a black convertible one with gold BBS wheels.
owning a classic car is a chore and a half in parts of the country with strict smog and emissions regulations
especially in one particular state where car culture thrives
Jay Leno with a 2005 Ford Mustang GT and a 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
The former "Tonight Show" host is endorsing a California state bill aimed at keeping vintage cars on the road
Paul Harris/Getty Images
Jay Leno aims to shape California's classic car legislation.One of the most well-known classic car collectors and enthusiasts, Jay Leno
is endorsing a California state bill to help his community keep the cars they love driving on the road for years to come
A hurdle to classic car ownership is emissions and smog testing regulations
vehicles 1995 and newer must undergo regular emissions testing
The stringent California Air Resources Board strongly favors newer cars
requiring 1976 model-year cars and newer to undergo a smog check
Leno said that these restrictions impede owners who only fire up their cars a few days out of the year and are antithetical to California's car culture
"California's smog check laws for classic cars need to be updated—they vary too much from state to state
and California's rules don't match up with neighboring ones," The former Tonight Show host said in a statement
Leno is backing Republican California State Senator Shannon Grove on Senate Bill 712
also known as "Leno's Law." It seeks to entirely exempt classic cars 35 years and older from California's biennial smog checks
In order to qualify for a Leno Law exemption
owners must insure their vehicles as collector cars with their insurance company
The bill's text notes that "submission of proof that the motor vehicle is insured as a collector motor vehicle
as shall be required by regulation of the bureau" will be needed to claim an exemption under this new law
Another key backer of this legislation is the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association
the California-based trade association representing the aftermarket and specialty car parts industry
Last year, they filed an amicus brief with the U.S
Supreme Court in connection to the case of Diamond Alternative Energy
which seeks to look into the lawfulness of the EPA's decision to allow the state of California "to limit the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles."
The bill itself is still in the legislative process and will have its first hearing with the Senate Transportation Committee in April
the state senator feels the bill is an important mandate for California's rich car culture
classic cars bring people together and keep our history vibrant," Senator Shannon Grove said in a statement
we're sending a clear message: California values its automotive roots and the communities that keep them running."
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Jay Leno has suffered a series of injuries in recent years that have left him looking worse for wear, and Bill Maher wants to know if there is something more going on than simple clumsiness
On the latest episode of Maher’s Club Random podcast, the Real Time host touched on Leno’s most recent accident in November when the former Tonight Show host fell down a hill while staying at a hotel in Pennsylvania
and was later spotted with a black eye and badly bruised face
“Did you see what the Enquirer said about your spill?” Maher asked Leno
and you’re being beaten up by the mob.”
“I love the idea that the mob would drive to Greenburg
wait outside the Hampton Inn on kind of a sleety
rainy day to throw me down the hill.”
Maher playfully countered Leno’s statement
“That’s not what they’re saying; please don’t mischaracterize the Enquirer
They’re saying ‘throw you down the hill’ was your cover story
and they just beat you up like the mob always does.”
The latest accident happened last month when Leno left his hotel in Pennsylvania and walked down a “60
70 feet” hill to get to a nearby restaurant
He took a tumble and smashed his face on a rock
Despite the accident, the late-night legend still performed a gig a “couple of hours” later before heading to the hospital. “The great thing about this age is you don’t learn by your mistakes. You keep doing the same stupid thing,” he told TMZ at the time
This marks Leno’s third gnarly accident over the past couple of years. In November 2022, he suffered third-degree burns on his face after one of his cars caught fire while he was working on it in his garage
Then, in January 2023, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with multiple broken bones and another facial wound
He was testing out a 1940 motorcycle when he turned down a street and didn’t notice someone had wire strung across the road
“I didn’t see it until it was too late
knocked me off the bike,” Leno shared at the time
“I got a new face when my face caught fire
I had to call my ‘face guy’ and say
“[It] started out by saying ‘Jay Leno
has gambling debts.’ I was like that is quite a gambling debt.”
“I like the idea they wouldn’t just take one of my cars for the gambling debt,” Leno added
You can watch the conversation in the video above
Sign Up
Print For the third year in a row
Jay Leno is bouncing back after an ugly injury
the culprit was a steep hill that the 74-year-old comedian misjudged
laughing at himself and flipping up his eye patch to reveal a sprawling bruise
Along with hurting his eye, Leno broke his wrist and lost a nail, he told Inside Edition: “I am all black and blue.”
Despite the incident, the former host of “The Tonight Show” went on with his show as scheduled. In photos posted by the Pittsburgh venue
Leno was later treated for his injuries upon returning to Los Angeles
where he also went ahead with a Saturday show at the Yaamava’ Theater near San Bernardino
A representative for Leno did not reply immediately Tuesday to The Times’ request for comment
Leno crashed his motorcycle and wound up with a broken collarbone
“But I’m OK!” he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal at the time. “I’m working this weekend.”
Jay Leno wrote about his severe burn injuries in a column for the Wall Street Journal
He was hospitalized in November for second and third degree burns
“The great thing about this age is you don’t learn by your mistakes,” he joked to TMZ Monday night. “You keep doing the same stupid thing.”