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Jay Leno, likes snow.
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{{Infobox comedian
|name=Jay Leno
|image=JayLenoJul08.jpg
|imagesize=245px
|caption=Leno in July 2008
|pseudonym=
|birth_name=James Douglas Muir Leno
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1950|4|28}}<ref name="NYTBIO" />
|height={{height|ft=5|in=11}}
|birth_place=[[New Rochelle, New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]<ref name="NYTBIO" />
|medium=[[Television]], [[Film]], [[Stand-up comedy|Stand up]]
|nationality=[[United States|American]]
|alma_mater=[[Emerson College]]
|active=1973–present
|genre=[[Observational comedy]], [[Political satire]]
|subject=[[American culture]], [[Everyday life]]
|influences=[[Johnny Carson]], [[Robert Klein]], [[Alan King (comedian)|Alan King]], [[George Carlin]],<ref name="People">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,20208460,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn |title=Carlin Remembered: He Helped Other Comics with Drug Problems | publisher= Time Inc.|work =People|author=Breuer, Howard, and Stephen M, Silverman|date=2008-06-24|accessdate=2008-06-24}}</ref> [[Don Rickles]], [[Bob Newhart]], [[Rodney Dangerfield]]
|influenced=[[Dennis Miller]]<ref>James Hirsen, [http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/2/4/165208.shtml Dennis Miller: Why I 'Ascended' to the Right], NewsMax.com, February 5, 2004.</ref>
|website=[http://www.tonightshow.com/ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]
|spouse=[[Mavis Leno]] (1980–present)
|signature=Jay Leno Autograph.svg
|notable_work=''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' (host, 1992–2009, 2010–)<br />''[[The Jay Leno Show]]''<br />(host, 2009–2010)
| module = {{Infobox comedian awards
|child=yes
|emmyawards='''Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series'''<br />1995 ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992 TV series)|The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]''
}}
}}
'''James Douglas Muir''' "'''Jay'''" '''Leno''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|n|oʊ}} (born April 28, 1950)<ref name="NYTBIO">{{cite news|url = http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1548610/Jay-Leno/biography|title = Jay Leno Biography|accessdate = February 3, 2009|work = [[The New York Times]]}}</ref> is an American [[stand-up comedian]] and [[television host]].

From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of [[NBC|NBC's]] ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]''. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]'', which aired weeknights at 10:00&nbsp;p.m. ([[Eastern Time]], UTC-5), also on NBC. After ''The Jay Leno Show'' was canceled in January 2010 amid a [[2010 Tonight Show conflict|host controversy]], Leno returned to host ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' on March 1, 2010.<ref name="thewrap">{{cite web |url=http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/new-nbc-breaking-story-13241 |title=Exclusive: Conan, NBC Officially Splitsville (Updated) |first=Josef |last=Adalian |date=January 21, 2010 |work=The Wrap |accessdate=January 21, 2010 }}</ref>

==Early life==
James "Jay" Leno was born in [[New Rochelle, New York]], in 1950. His mother, Catherine (née Muir; 1911–1993), a homemaker, was born in [[Greenock]], [[Scotland]], and came to the United States at age 11. Her schooling was limited and as a result she prized her children's successes. Leno's father, Angelo (1910–1994), who worked as an insurance salesman, was born in New York to immigrants from [[Flumeri]], [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=May 11, 2008|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/70/Jay-Leno.html|title=Jay Leno Biography (1950–)|publisher=Film Reference}}</ref> Leno grew up in [[Andover, Massachusetts]], and although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he [[dropping out|drop out]] of school, he later obtained a [[Bachelor's degree]] in [[speech therapy]] from [[Emerson College]], where he started a comedy club in 1973.<ref name="carter20090912" /> Leno's siblings include his late older brother, Patrick, who was a Vietnam veteran<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=May 11, 2008|url=http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_takes_jab_at_Clinton_on_1018.html|title=Obama on Leno: Hillary has declared 'mission accomplished' too soon|publisher=[[The Raw Story]]|date=October 18, 2007|author=Aivaz, Mike}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and a lawyer.<ref name="carter20090912" />

==Career==
During the 1970s, Big Chin appeared in minor roles in several television series and films, first in the 1976 episode "J.J. in Trouble" of ''[[Good Times]]'' and the same year in the pilot of ''[[Holmes & Yo-Yo]]''. After an uncredited appeareance in the 1977 film ''[[Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 film)|Fun with Dick and Jane]]'', he played more prominent parts in 1978 in ''[[American Hot Wax]]'' and ''[[Silver Bears]]''. Other films and television series from that period include ''Almost Heaven'' (1978), "Going Nowhere" (1979) from ''[[One Day at a Time]]'', ''[[Americathon]]'' (1979), ''[[Polyester (film)|Polyester]]'' (1981), "The Wild One" (1981) from ''[[Alice (TV series)|Alice]]'', "Feminine Mistake" (1979) and "Do the Carmine" (1983) from ''[[Laverne & Shirley]]''.

===''The Tonight Show''===
[[File:Jay Leno (1993) by Alan Light.jpg|thumb|upright|right|200px|Leno in 1993, shortly after becoming host of ''The Tonight Show'']]
Starting in 1987, Leno was a regular substitute host for [[Johnny Carson]] on ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. In 1992, he replaced Carson as host<ref>{{cite news|title=Carson cuts appearances|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NQMIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SzYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5008,192179&dq=tonight+jay-leno+shandling|agency=Associated Press|work=Rome News-Tribune|location=Rome, Ga.|page=14|date=June 2, 1987|accessdate=October 26, 2008}}</ref> amid controversy with [[David Letterman]], who had been hosting ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'' since 1982 (aired after The Tonight Show), who many had expected to be Carson's successor. The story of this turbulent transition was later turned into [[The Late Shift (book)|a book]] and [[The Late Shift (film)|a movie]]. Leno continued to perform as a stand-up comedian throughout his tenure on ''The Tonight Show''.

In 2004, Leno, surprisingly, was diagnosed with an iq of 91, and still went to sign a contract extension with [[NBC]] which would keep him as host of ''The Tonight Show'' until 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBC signs Jay Leno to contract extension|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-30-leno-contract-extended_x.htm |agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today|date=March 31, 2004|accessdate=October 26, 2008}}</ref> Later in 2004, [[Conan O'Brien]] signed a contract with NBC under which O'Brien would become the host of ''The Tonight Show'' in 2009, replacing Leno at that time.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Carter|title=Conan O'Brien to Succeed Jay Leno in 2009, NBC Announces|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/27/business/media/28CND-NBC.html?pagewanted=print&position= |work=The New York Times|date=September 27, 2004|accessdate=October 26, 2008}}</ref>

During the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike]], Leno was accused of violating WGA guidelines by writing his own monologue for ''The Tonight Show''. While NBC and Leno claim there were private meetings with the WGA where there was a secret agreement allowing this, the WGA denied such a meeting.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=May 11, 2008|url=http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/lenowga-whats-the-real-story-nbc-claims-jay-asked-for-received-wga-permission-to-write-monologue-at-monday-meeting-with-verrone-et-al/|title=LENO/WGA: WHAT'S THE REAL STORY? NBC Claims Jay Asked For & Received WGA Permission To Write Monologue At Secret Monday Meeting With Verrone|publisher=Deadline Hollywood Daily}}</ref> Leno answered questions in front of the [[Writers Guild of America, West]] trial committee in February 2009 and June 2009, and when the WGAW published its list of strike-breakers on 11 August 2009, Leno was not on the list.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/08/guild-clears-jay-leno-of-violating-strike-rules.html | title = WGA: No chin music for Jay Leno | work = Company Town | first = Richard | last = Verrier | publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = 2009-08-11 | accessdate = 2009-08-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007189.html?categoryId=2821&cs=1 | title = Jay Leno cleared of strike violations; WGA West issues penalties in three cases | first = Cynthia | last = Littleton | date = 2009-08-11 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | location = [[New York City]] | publisher = [[Reed Business Information]] | accessdate = 2009-08-14 }}</ref>

In 1998, Leno competed in a tag-team match at the WCW's "Road Wild" pay-per-view . In 2001, he voiced [[The Crimson Chin]], a superhero in the [[Nickelodeon]] animated series [[The Fairly OddParents]] and continues to do so today.

Leno said in 2008 that he was saving all of his income from ''The Tonight Show'' and living solely off his income from stand-up comedy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-07-16-leno-cover_N.htm|title=Jay Leno Gears up for Life After 'Tonight'|last=della Cava|first=Marco|date=July 17, 2008|work=USA Today|accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>

On April 23, 2009, Leno checked himself into a hospital with an undisclosed illness.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/23/leno.hospitalized/index.html | title = Jay Leno hospitalized; 'Tonight Show' tapings canceled | first = Jack | last = Hannah | work = [[CNN.com]] | date = 2009-04-23 | publisher = [[Cable News Network]] | accessdate = 2009-08-14 }}</ref> He was released the following day and returned to work on Monday, April 27. The two subsequently cancelled ''Tonight Show'' episodes for April 23 and April 24 were Leno's first in 17 years as host.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/04/24/2009-04-24_rep_jay_leno_hospital_trip_precautionary_late_night_host_to_be_released_friday.html|title=Jay Leno released from the hospital|publisher=NYDailyNews|accessdate=2009-04-24 | location=New York | first=Nancy | last=Dillon | date=April 24, 2009}}</ref><ref name="cacom-reuters">{{cite news | url = http://www.canada.com/News/Leno+misses+first+show+years/1530668/story.html | title = Jay Leno misses first show in 17 years | agency = [[Reuters]] | date = 2009-04-24 | work = [[Canada.com]] | publisher = [[Canwest Publishing Inc.]] | location = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]] | accessdate = 2009-08-14 }}</ref> Initially, the illness that caused the absence was not disclosed, but later Leno told People magazine that the ailment was exhaustion.<ref name="cacom-reuters" /><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20276256,00.html | title = Jay Leno Reveals Mystery Ailment: Exhaustion | date = 2009-05-01 | work = [[People.com]] | first = Pamela | last = Warrick | publisher = [[Time Inc.]] | accessdate = 2009-08-14 }}</ref>

====Michael Jackson trial====
In the [[People v. Jackson|2005 trial of Michael Jackson]] over allegations of child molestation, Leno appeared as a defense witness (many celebrity defense witnesses had been expected, but Leno was one of the few whose testimony was actually needed). In his testimony regarding a call by the accuser, Leno testified that he never called the police, that no money was asked for, and there was no coaching — but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=May 11, 2008|url=http://www.courttv.com/trials/jackson/052405_ctv.html|title=Comedians Jay Leno and Chris Tucker testify for Michael Jackson|publisher=[[Court TV]]|date=May 24, 2005|author=Sweetingham, Lisa}}</ref>

[[File:JayLeno.jpg|thumb|right|Leno in 2006.]]
As a result, Leno was initially not allowed to continue telling jokes about Jackson or the case, which had been a fixture of ''The Tonight Show'''s opening monologue in particular. But he and his show's writers used a legal loophole by having Leno briefly step aside while stand-in [[comedian]]s took the stage and told jokes about the trial. Stand-ins included [[Roseanne Barr]], [[Drew Carey]], [[Brad Garrett]], and [[Dennis Miller]] among others.<ref>{{cite episode|accessdate=2008-05-11|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/08/sbt.01.html|title=[[Showbiz Tonight]]|publisher=CNN|airdate=2005-03-08|first=Karyn|last=Bryant}}</ref>

===Succession by Conan O'Brien and ''The Jay Leno Show''===
{{Main|The Jay Leno Show}}
Because Leno's show continued to lead all late-night programming in the [[Nielsen ratings]], the pending expiration of Leno's contract led to speculation about whether he would become a late-night host for another network after his commitment to NBC expired.<ref>{{cite news|first=Frazier|last=Moore|title=NBC's Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien swap prompts rumors|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ny-fftv5685783may18,0,4188633.story?track=rss|agency=Associated Press|work=Newsday|date=May 18, 2008|accessdate=October 26, 2008}}{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> Leno left ''The Tonight Show'' on Friday May 29, 2009,<ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Carter|title=Date Is Set for Leno's 'Tonight' Finale|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/arts/television/22late.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/T/Television|work=The New York Times|date=July 22, 2008|accessdate=October 26, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/arts/television/30leno.html?em|title=Jay Leno Takes Final Bow on ‘Tonight Show’ |date=2009-05-30|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-05-30 | first=Bill | last=Carter}}</ref> and Conan O'Brien took over on June 1, 2009.

On December 8, 2008, it was reported that Leno would remain on NBC and move to a new hour-long show at 10 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. Central Time) five nights a week.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/business/media/09leno.html?em|title = Where Is Leno Going? To Prime Time, on NBC | work=The New York Times | first=Bill | last=Carter | date=December 9, 2008 | accessdate=May 6, 2010}}</ref> This show follows a similar format to ''The Tonight Show'', tapes at the same lot, and retains many of Leno's most popular segments. ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|Late Night]]'' host [[Conan O'Brien]] was his successor on ''The Tonight Show''.<ref name=CNNLeno>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/21/tv.nbc.tonight.ap/index.html|title=Leno's last 'Tonight' announced|accessdate=July 21, 2008|agency=Associated Press|authorlink=Associated Press|date=July 21, 2008|work=CNN.com|quote=Leno's last show was Friday, May 29, and O'Brien started the following Monday, June 1, NBC executives told a Television Critics Association meeting Monday. |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080724101827/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/21/tv.nbc.tonight.ap/index.html |archivedate = July 24, 2008}}</ref>

Jay Leno's new show, titled ''The Jay Leno Show'', debuted on September 14, 2009. It was announced at the [[Television Critics Association]] summer press tour that it would feature one or two celebrities, the occasional musical guest, and keep the popular "Headlines" segments, which would air near the end of the show. First guests included [[Jerry Seinfeld]], [[Oprah Winfrey]] (via satellite), and a short sit-down with [[Kanye West]] discussing his controversy at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>[http://www.tvshark.com/read/?art=arc3888 Jay Leno Reveals What To Expect From His New Primetime Show]</ref>

===Timeslot conflict and return to ''The Tonight Show''===
{{wikinews|US TV host Conan O'Brien rejects NBC's offer to switch his show's time slot}}
{{main|2010 Tonight Show conflict}}
In their new roles, neither O'Brien nor Leno succeeded in delivering the viewing audiences the network anticipated. On January 7, 2010, multiple media outlets reported that beginning March 1, 2010, Jay Leno would move from his 10pm weeknight time slot to 11:35pm, due to a combination of pressure from local affiliates whose newscasts were suffering, and both Leno's and O'Brien's poor ratings.<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/01/future-for-nbcs-the-jay-leno-show-is-up-in-the-air.html "Future For NBC's Tonight Show Up In The Air"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', January 2010.</ref><ref name="access">[http://www.accesshollywood.com/jay-leno-heading-back-to-late-night-conan-obrien-weighing-options_article_27490 "Jay Leno Heading Back To Late Night, Conan O’Brien Weighing Options"].</ref> Leno's show would be shortened from an hour to 30 minutes. All NBC late night programming would be preempted by the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] between February 15 and February 26. This would move ''The Tonight Show'' to 12:05am, a post-midnight timeslot for the first time in its history. O'Brien's contract stipulated that NBC could move the show back to 12:05 a.m. without penalty (a clause put in primarily to accommodate sports preemptions).<ref>[[Nikki Finke|Finke, Nikki]] (2010-01-07). [http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/nbc-indicates-changes-coming-to-jay-leno-show-due-to-affiliate-issues/ NBC ON THE HOT SEAT: Will It Be Jay AND Conan In Late Night? What's The Reason For Leno's Anti-NBC Monologue Tonight?]. Retrieved 2010-01-09.</ref>

On January 10, NBC confirmed that they would move Jay Leno out of primetime as of February 12 and intended to move him to late night as soon as possible.<ref>"[http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/01/nbc-press-tour-executive-session-live-blog.html NBC confirms move of "Leno Show"]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}"</ref><ref name="nyt">[http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/update-nbc-plans-leno-at-1130-conan-at-12/ "Update: NBC Plans Leno at 11:30, Conan at 12"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 7 January 2010.</ref> [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] reported that O'Brien was given no advance notice of this change, and that NBC offered him two choices: an hour-long 12:05am time slot, or the option to leave the network.<ref name="tmz">[http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/08/conan-obrien-jay-leno-nbc-tonight-show/ "NBC to Conan O'Brien – The Choice Is Yours"], [[TMZ.com|TMZ]], 8 January 2010.</ref> On January 12, O'Brien issued a press release that stated he would not continue with ''Tonight'' if it moved to a 12:05am time slot,<ref name="msnbc11210">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34827830/ns/entertainment-television Conan Won't Do "The Tonight Show" Following Leno], ''MSNBC.com'', 12 January 2010.</ref> saying, "I believe that delaying ''The Tonight Show'' into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. ''The Tonight Show'' at 12:05 simply isn’t ''The Tonight Show.''"

On January 21, it was announced that NBC had struck a deal with O'Brien. It was decided that O'Brien would leave ''The Tonight Show''. The deal was made that O'Brien would receive a $33 million payout and that his staff of almost 200 would receive $12 million in the departure. O'Brien's final episode aired on Friday, January 22.<ref>Robert Seidman
, [http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/01/21/nbc-announces-that-jay-leno-will-return-to-host-the-tonight-show-beginning-march-1/39671 NBC Announces That Jay Leno Will Return To Host “The Tonight Show” Beginning March 1], tvbythenumbers.com, 21 January 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-21/conan-o-brien-signs-accord-to-exit-tonight-show-nbc-says.html NBC Universal Confirms Conan O’Brien Exit Deal Signed] from [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] via ''[[Business Week]]''</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2010/01/21/conan-deal-nbc.html Conan O'Brien, NBC reach deal]{{dead link|date=October 2011}} from [[CBC News]]</ref> Leno returned as host of ''The Tonight Show'' following the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] on March 1, 2010.

On July 1, 2010, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that total viewership for Jay Leno's ''Tonight Show'' had dropped from 5 million to 4 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Although this represented the lowest second-quarter ratings for the show since 1992, ''Tonight'' was still the most-watched late night program, ahead of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Nightline]]'' (3.7 million) and [[David Letterman]]'s ''[[Late Show with David Letterman|Late Show]]'' (3.3 million).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021316.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|title='Kimmel,' 'Nightline' show demo increase |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=2010-07-01 | first=Stuart | last=Levine}}</ref> Ratings over the following summer, when compared to the same period in 2009 with O'Brien hosting ''The Tonight Show'' (including O'Brien's highly rated debut), showed that while total viewership was 12% higher for Leno, viewership in the important "adults aged 18–49" demographic was 23% lower.<ref>{{cite news| last = Pike | first = Julie | title = Tonight Show Ratings Plummet – Jay Leno Sinks Beneath Conan O'Brien Numbers | work = The National Ledger | publisher =The National Ledger, LLC | date = September 7, 2010 | url =http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=53&num=34570 | accessdate = 2010-10-04 }}</ref> NBC ratings specialist Tom Bierbaum commented that due to the host being out of late night television for a period of time and the subsequent [[2010 Tonight Show conflict]], Leno's ratings fall was "not a surprise at all".<ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Beast|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-10-24/jay-lenos-sinking-tonight-show-ratings-will-conan-obrien-get-the-last-laugh/|accessdate=2010-10-26|title=Comedians Laugh as Leno Sinks|date=October 24, 2010|first=Gina|last=Piccalo}}</ref>

==Public image==
===Criticism of Leno===
[[File:Jaylenocropped.jpg|right|thumb|Leno on ''The Tonight Show'' in 2005]]
Leno has faced heated criticism and some negative publicity for his perceived role in the [[2010 Tonight Show conflict|2010 ''Tonight Show'' timeslot conflict]].<ref name="wsj11510">''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' article: "[http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/01/15/why-some-comics-arent-laughing-at-jay-leno-essay/ Why Some Comics Aren’t Laughing at Jay Leno]".</ref><ref name="kc11810">''[[Kansas City Star]]'' article: "[http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1691791.html Jay Leno is Mr. Nice Guy no more&nbsp;— but was he ever?]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}".</ref> Critics have pointed to a 2004 ''Tonight Show'' clip, wherein Leno claimed he would allow O'Brien to take over without incident.<ref name="kc11810" /><ref name="dj11710">''Digital Journal'' article: [http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/285694 Jay Leno in 2004: "In '09, Conan, it's yours"]</ref> At the time, Leno stated he didn't want O'Brien to leave for a competing network, adding, "I'll be 59 when [the switch occurs], that's five years from now. There's really only one person who could have done this into his 60s, and that was [[Johnny Carson]]; I think it's fair to say I'm no Johnny Carson."<ref name="dj11710" /> Leno also described ''The Tonight Show'' as a [[dynasty]], saying "you hold it and hand it off to the next person. And I don't want to see all the fighting..." At the end of the segment, he said, "Conan, it's yours! See you in five years, buddy!"<ref>Funnyordie.com: [http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6d1caacad1/jay-s-2004-announcement 2004 Tonight Show Clip: "Conan, It's yours!"]</ref>

Actor and comedian [[Patton Oswalt]] was among the first celebrities to openly voice disappointment with Leno, saying, "Comedians who don't like Jay Leno now, and I'm one of them, we're not like, 'Jay Leno sucks;' it's that we're so hurt and disappointed that one of the best comedians of our generation... willfully has shut the switch off."<ref name="huffpost">''[[The Huffington Post]]'' article: "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/11/patton-oswalt-weighs-in-o_n_419015.html Patton Oswalt: Jay Leno Is Like Nixon, I Don't Like Him]".</ref> [[Rosie O'Donnell]] has been among O'Brien's most vocal and vehement supporters,<ref name="RosieSupport">{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2010/01/rosie-odonnell-is-on-team-conan.html|title=Rosie O'Donnell is on Team Conan|publisher=[[Zap2it]]|date=2010-01-14|author=Porter, Rick|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref><ref>''[[New York Daily News]]'' article: "[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/01/14/2010-01-14_rosie_odonnell_to_jay_leno_step_aside_and_let_conan_obrien_have_tonight_show.html Rosie O'Donnell, Jimmy Kimmel slam Jay Leno over ''Tonight Show'' battle]."</ref> calling Leno a "bully" and his recent actions "classless and kind of career-defining."<ref name="nyrosie">''[[New York Magazine]]'' article: "[http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/01/rosie_odonnell_has_more_to_say.html#ixzz0dIY0bSPJ Rosie O’Donnell Has More to Say About Jay Leno]."</ref> [[Howard Stern]], who has been openly critical of Leno for years, has become even more so in the wake of the controversy.

Bill Zehme, the co-author of Leno's autobiography ''Leading with My Chin'', told the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'': "The thing Leno should do is walk, period. He's got everything to lose in terms of public popularity by going back. People will look at him differently. He'll be viewed as the bad guy."<ref name="latimes11510-2">''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' article: "[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-leno-backlash16-2010jan16,0,4645138.story?page=2 Taking on America's 'nice guy']", p. 2.</ref>

===Support for Leno===
[[NBC Sports]] head executive and former ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' producer [[Dick Ebersol]] spoke out against all who had recently mocked Leno, calling them "chicken-hearted and gutless."<ref name="latimes11510">''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' article: "[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-leno-backlash16-2010jan16,0,4645138.story Taking on America's 'nice guy']".</ref>

Jeff Gaspin also defended Leno: "This has definitely crossed the line. Jay Leno is the consummate professional and one of the hardest-working people in television. It's a shame that he's being pulled into this."<ref name="latimes11510-2" />

[[Paul Reiser]] and [[Jerry Seinfeld]] are two of the number of celebrities to have voiced support for Leno.<ref>''[[The Huffington Post]]'' article: "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-reiser/a-teachable-leno-moment_b_418197.html Paul Reiser: A Teachable Moment]."</ref><ref>''The Wrap'' article: "[http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/seinfeld-jay-conan-debacle-i-cant-blame-nbc-12758 Seinfeld on Jay-Conan Debacle: 'I Can't Blame NBC']."</ref>

Responding to the mounting criticism, Leno claimed that NBC had assured him that O'Brien was willing to accept the proposed arrangement and then would not let either host out of his contract.<ref name="e11810">''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' article: "[http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b162674_jay_tries_make_nice_conan_rallies_troops.html Jay Leno Tries to Make Nice, While Conan Rallies the Troops]."</ref> Leno also said that the situation was "all business."<ref name="e11810" /> He appeared on the January 28 episode of ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' in an attempt to repair some of the damage done to his public image.<ref>[[Perez Hilton]] article: "[http://perezhilton.com/2010-01-22-oprah-shows-some-tonight-show-love Oprah Shows Some ''Tonight Show'' Love]".</ref><ref>TV.com article: "[http://www.tv.com/confirmed-jay-leno-to-restore-reputation-on-oprah/webnews/30574.html?tag=around_the_web;4 Confirmed, Jay Leno to Restore Reputation on 'Oprah']{{dead link|date=October 2011}}".</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Obama and Leno.jpg|thumb|Leno with President [[Barack Obama]] in March 2009 ]]
Leno has been married since 1980 to [[Mavis Leno]]; they have no children.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.whoswhoinamerica.com/jay_leno/talk_show_host_comedian_writer/occ28/5463136|title = Jay Leno|work = Who's Who in America | publisher = Marquis}}</ref>

He is known for his prominent jaw, which has been described as [[Hapsburg Lip|mandibular prognathism]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1034/j.1399-0004.1998.5440404.x|last = Chudley|first = A.E.|title = Genetic landmarks through philately – The Habsburg jaw|journal = Clinical Genetics|volume = 54|issue = 4|pages = 283–284|month = October|year = 1998|pmid = 9831338}}</ref> In the book ''Leading with My Chin'' he stated that he is aware of surgery that could reset his mandible, but does not wish to endure a prolonged healing period with his jaws wired shut.

Leno is [[Dyslexia|dyslexic]].<ref name="carter20090912">Carter, Bill. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/arts/television/12leno.html Pushed From Late Night, Leno Is Set for Prime Time]" ''The New York Times'', 12 September 2009.</ref> He claims to sleep only four to five hours each night.<ref>Mike McLeod, [http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/leno.htm Jay Leno – The Tonight Show's $1 Billion Man Collects Cars and Motorcycles], go-star.com</ref> Leno does not [[teetotaler|drink]] or [[smoking|smoke]], nor does he [[gamble]].<ref name="nvmag">''Nevada Magazine'' article: "[http://www.nevadamagazine.com/index.php/issues/read/classic_cars_and_comedy/ Classic cars and comedy]".</ref> He spends most of his free time visiting car collections or working in his private garage.<ref name="nvmag" />

Leno reportedly earns $32 million each year;<ref name="forbes">''[[Forbes]]'' article: "[http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/207B.html Jay Leno – The Top 100 Celebrities]".</ref> his total net worth is unknown, but has been estimated to be at least $150 million.<ref>CelebrityNetWorth.com: "[http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/jay-lenos-net-worth/ Jay Leno's Net Worth]."</ref>

===Charity===
In 2001, along with his wife, he donated $100,000 to the [[Feminist Majority]]'s campaign to stop [[gender apartheid]] in [[Afghanistan]], to educate the public regarding the plight of women in Afghanistan under [[Taliban]] rule. Mavis Leno is on the board of the Feminist Majority.<ref>{{cite web|title = Hollywood's Latest Cause: Can A Pack Of Celebrities Save Afghanistan's Women?|publisher = Newsweek|date = December 6, 1999|url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/90455/output/print}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = So Many Causes, So Little Time Save The Rain Forest! Free Tibet! For Today's Stars, There's No Business Like Fund-Raising Business| first = Susan H.| last = Greenberg|publisher = Newsweek| date = February 21, 2000| url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/82834}}</ref>

In 2009, he donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund at [[Salem State College]] in honor of Lennie Sogoloff. Mr. Sogoloff gave Leno his start at his jazz club, Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=November 29, 2009|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/12/leno_says_thanks_with_100k_check|title=Leno says thanks with $100k check|publisher=[[The Boston Herald]]|date=April 12, 2009}}</ref>

===Love Ride===
Since 1985 Jay Leno has been the grand marshal for the [[Love Ride]], a motorcycle charity event which since its founding in 1984 has raised nearly $14 million dollars for charities benefiting muscular dystrophy research and, in 2011, [[Autism Speaks]].{{fact|date=December 2011}}

[[Image:JayLenoCar.jpg|thumb|left|Leno arriving at the ''[[45th Primetime Emmy Awards]]'' in his [[Hispano-Suiza]] Aero<ref>[http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/clips/update-1915-hispano-suiza-aero-engine-car/1186522/ Update: 1915 Hispano-Suiza Aero Engine Car] (video), jaylenosgarage.com</ref>]]

===Vehicle collection===

Leno owns approximately 100 vehicles, not including about 90 motorcycles.<ref>[http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/the-cars/ The Cars], jaylenosgarage.com</ref> He also has a website called "Jay Leno's Garage," which contains video clips and photos of his automobiles in detail.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.jaylenosgarage.com|title = Jay Leno's Garage|work = Official Website}}</ref>

He has a regular column in ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' which showcases his car collection and gives advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet-powered motorcycle and solar-powered hybrid. Leno also writes occasional "Motormouth" articles for ''[[The Sunday Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=May 11, 2008|url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/article1746609.ece|title=Jay Leno's million dollar garage|publisher=The Times|date=May 9, 2007 | location=London | first=Michael | last=Moran}}</ref> reviewing high-end sports cars and giving his humorous take on automotive matters.
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons|Jay Leno}}
*[http://www.tonightshow.com/ Official ''Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' web site]
*[http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/ Jay Leno's Car Collection]
*[http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/features/columnists/ Jay Leno's Columns at Octane magazine]
*[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/automobiles/collectibles/11SCHOOL.html?ex=1307678400en=5a61033048e04523ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss&pagewanted=print ''The New York Times'' on Leno's affiliation with McPherson College]
*[http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Toyota_Concert_Series/bands/index.shtml Live performance videos from the Tonight Show]
*{{IMDb name|0005143|Jay Leno}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{succession box|title=Host of ''[[The Tonight Show]]''|before=[[Conan O'Brien]]|after= incumbent|years=March 1, 2010–present}}
{{succession box|title=Host of ''[[The Tonight Show]]''|before=[[Johnny Carson]]|after= [[Conan O'Brien]]|years=May 25, 1992 – May 29, 2009}}
{{s-end}}

{{TonightShow}}

{{Persondata
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Leno-Muir, James Douglas; Leno, James Douglas Muir;
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=TV personality
|DATE OF BIRTH=April 28, 1950
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[New Rochelle, New York]], [[United States]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leno, Jay}}
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American television talk show hosts]]
[[Category:American voice actors]]
[[Category:Actors from New York]]
[[Category:American television actors]]
[[Category:American film actors]]
[[Category:Emerson College alumni]]
[[Category:Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Car collectors]]
[[Category:Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:People from Andover, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from New Rochelle, New York]]
[[Category:SEMA Members]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Jay Leno| ]]

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[[zh:杰·雷诺]]

Revision as of 19:55, 1 February 2012

"Leno" redirects here. For other uses, see Leno (disambiguation).
Jay Leno
Leno in July 2008
Birth nameJames Douglas Muir Leno
Born (1950-04-28) April 28, 1950 (age 74)[1]
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.[1]
MediumTelevision, Film, Stand up
NationalityAmerican
Alma materEmerson College
Years active1973–present
GenresObservational comedy, Political satire
Subject(s)American culture, Everyday life
SpouseMavis Leno (1980–present)
Notable works and rolesThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno (host, 1992–2009, 2010–)
The Jay Leno Show
(host, 2009–2010)
Signature
WebsiteThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Template:Infobox comedian awards

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno /ˈlɛnoʊ/ (born April 28, 1950)[1] is an American stand-up comedian and television host.

From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time, UTC-5), also on NBC. After The Jay Leno Show was canceled in January 2010 amid a host controversy, Leno returned to host The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 1, 2010.[4]

Early life

James "Jay" Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1950. His mother, Catherine (née Muir; 1911–1993), a homemaker, was born in Greenock, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 11. Her schooling was limited and as a result she prized her children's successes. Leno's father, Angelo (1910–1994), who worked as an insurance salesman, was born in New York to immigrants from Flumeri, Italy.[5] Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, and although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he drop out of school, he later obtained a Bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Emerson College, where he started a comedy club in 1973.[6] Leno's siblings include his late older brother, Patrick, who was a Vietnam veteran[7] and a lawyer.[6]

Career

During the 1970s, Big Chin appeared in minor roles in several television series and films, first in the 1976 episode "J.J. in Trouble" of Good Times and the same year in the pilot of Holmes & Yo-Yo. After an uncredited appeareance in the 1977 film Fun with Dick and Jane, he played more prominent parts in 1978 in American Hot Wax and Silver Bears. Other films and television series from that period include Almost Heaven (1978), "Going Nowhere" (1979) from One Day at a Time, Americathon (1979), Polyester (1981), "The Wild One" (1981) from Alice, "Feminine Mistake" (1979) and "Do the Carmine" (1983) from Laverne & Shirley.

The Tonight Show

Leno in 1993, shortly after becoming host of The Tonight Show

Starting in 1987, Leno was a regular substitute host for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. In 1992, he replaced Carson as host[8] amid controversy with David Letterman, who had been hosting Late Night with David Letterman since 1982 (aired after The Tonight Show), who many had expected to be Carson's successor. The story of this turbulent transition was later turned into a book and a movie. Leno continued to perform as a stand-up comedian throughout his tenure on The Tonight Show.

In 2004, Leno, surprisingly, was diagnosed with an iq of 91, and still went to sign a contract extension with NBC which would keep him as host of The Tonight Show until 2009.[9] Later in 2004, Conan O'Brien signed a contract with NBC under which O'Brien would become the host of The Tonight Show in 2009, replacing Leno at that time.[10]

During the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, Leno was accused of violating WGA guidelines by writing his own monologue for The Tonight Show. While NBC and Leno claim there were private meetings with the WGA where there was a secret agreement allowing this, the WGA denied such a meeting.[11] Leno answered questions in front of the Writers Guild of America, West trial committee in February 2009 and June 2009, and when the WGAW published its list of strike-breakers on 11 August 2009, Leno was not on the list.[12][13]

In 1998, Leno competed in a tag-team match at the WCW's "Road Wild" pay-per-view . In 2001, he voiced The Crimson Chin, a superhero in the Nickelodeon animated series The Fairly OddParents and continues to do so today.

Leno said in 2008 that he was saving all of his income from The Tonight Show and living solely off his income from stand-up comedy.[14]

On April 23, 2009, Leno checked himself into a hospital with an undisclosed illness.[15] He was released the following day and returned to work on Monday, April 27. The two subsequently cancelled Tonight Show episodes for April 23 and April 24 were Leno's first in 17 years as host.[16][17] Initially, the illness that caused the absence was not disclosed, but later Leno told People magazine that the ailment was exhaustion.[17][18]

Michael Jackson trial

In the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson over allegations of child molestation, Leno appeared as a defense witness (many celebrity defense witnesses had been expected, but Leno was one of the few whose testimony was actually needed). In his testimony regarding a call by the accuser, Leno testified that he never called the police, that no money was asked for, and there was no coaching — but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.[19]

Leno in 2006.

As a result, Leno was initially not allowed to continue telling jokes about Jackson or the case, which had been a fixture of The Tonight Show's opening monologue in particular. But he and his show's writers used a legal loophole by having Leno briefly step aside while stand-in comedians took the stage and told jokes about the trial. Stand-ins included Roseanne Barr, Drew Carey, Brad Garrett, and Dennis Miller among others.[20]

Succession by Conan O'Brien and The Jay Leno Show

Main article: The Jay Leno Show

Because Leno's show continued to lead all late-night programming in the Nielsen ratings, the pending expiration of Leno's contract led to speculation about whether he would become a late-night host for another network after his commitment to NBC expired.[21] Leno left The Tonight Show on Friday May 29, 2009,[22][23] and Conan O'Brien took over on June 1, 2009.

On December 8, 2008, it was reported that Leno would remain on NBC and move to a new hour-long show at 10 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. Central Time) five nights a week.[24] This show follows a similar format to The Tonight Show, tapes at the same lot, and retains many of Leno's most popular segments. Late Night host Conan O'Brien was his successor on The Tonight Show.[25]

Jay Leno's new show, titled The Jay Leno Show, debuted on September 14, 2009. It was announced at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that it would feature one or two celebrities, the occasional musical guest, and keep the popular "Headlines" segments, which would air near the end of the show. First guests included Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey (via satellite), and a short sit-down with Kanye West discussing his controversy at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.[26]

Timeslot conflict and return to The Tonight Show

Wikinews has related news:
Main article: 2010 Tonight Show conflict

In their new roles, neither O'Brien nor Leno succeeded in delivering the viewing audiences the network anticipated. On January 7, 2010, multiple media outlets reported that beginning March 1, 2010, Jay Leno would move from his 10pm weeknight time slot to 11:35pm, due to a combination of pressure from local affiliates whose newscasts were suffering, and both Leno's and O'Brien's poor ratings.[27][28] Leno's show would be shortened from an hour to 30 minutes. All NBC late night programming would be preempted by the 2010 Winter Olympics between February 15 and February 26. This would move The Tonight Show to 12:05am, a post-midnight timeslot for the first time in its history. O'Brien's contract stipulated that NBC could move the show back to 12:05 a.m. without penalty (a clause put in primarily to accommodate sports preemptions).[29]

On January 10, NBC confirmed that they would move Jay Leno out of primetime as of February 12 and intended to move him to late night as soon as possible.[30][31] TMZ reported that O'Brien was given no advance notice of this change, and that NBC offered him two choices: an hour-long 12:05am time slot, or the option to leave the network.[32] On January 12, O'Brien issued a press release that stated he would not continue with Tonight if it moved to a 12:05am time slot,[33] saying, "I believe that delaying The Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t The Tonight Show."

On January 21, it was announced that NBC had struck a deal with O'Brien. It was decided that O'Brien would leave The Tonight Show. The deal was made that O'Brien would receive a $33 million payout and that his staff of almost 200 would receive $12 million in the departure. O'Brien's final episode aired on Friday, January 22.[34][35][36] Leno returned as host of The Tonight Show following the 2010 Winter Olympics on March 1, 2010.

On July 1, 2010, Variety reported that total viewership for Jay Leno's Tonight Show had dropped from 5 million to 4 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Although this represented the lowest second-quarter ratings for the show since 1992, Tonight was still the most-watched late night program, ahead of ABC's Nightline (3.7 million) and David Letterman's Late Show (3.3 million).[37] Ratings over the following summer, when compared to the same period in 2009 with O'Brien hosting The Tonight Show (including O'Brien's highly rated debut), showed that while total viewership was 12% higher for Leno, viewership in the important "adults aged 18–49" demographic was 23% lower.[38] NBC ratings specialist Tom Bierbaum commented that due to the host being out of late night television for a period of time and the subsequent 2010 Tonight Show conflict, Leno's ratings fall was "not a surprise at all".[39]

Public image

Criticism of Leno

Leno on The Tonight Show in 2005

Leno has faced heated criticism and some negative publicity for his perceived role in the 2010 Tonight Show timeslot conflict.[40][41] Critics have pointed to a 2004 Tonight Show clip, wherein Leno claimed he would allow O'Brien to take over without incident.[41][42] At the time, Leno stated he didn't want O'Brien to leave for a competing network, adding, "I'll be 59 when [the switch occurs], that's five years from now. There's really only one person who could have done this into his 60s, and that was Johnny Carson; I think it's fair to say I'm no Johnny Carson."[42] Leno also described The Tonight Show as a dynasty, saying "you hold it and hand it off to the next person. And I don't want to see all the fighting..." At the end of the segment, he said, "Conan, it's yours! See you in five years, buddy!"[43]

Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt was among the first celebrities to openly voice disappointment with Leno, saying, "Comedians who don't like Jay Leno now, and I'm one of them, we're not like, 'Jay Leno sucks;' it's that we're so hurt and disappointed that one of the best comedians of our generation... willfully has shut the switch off."[44] Rosie O'Donnell has been among O'Brien's most vocal and vehement supporters,[45][46] calling Leno a "bully" and his recent actions "classless and kind of career-defining."[47] Howard Stern, who has been openly critical of Leno for years, has become even more so in the wake of the controversy.

Bill Zehme, the co-author of Leno's autobiography Leading with My Chin, told the Los Angeles Times: "The thing Leno should do is walk, period. He's got everything to lose in terms of public popularity by going back. People will look at him differently. He'll be viewed as the bad guy."[48]

Support for Leno

NBC Sports head executive and former Saturday Night Live producer Dick Ebersol spoke out against all who had recently mocked Leno, calling them "chicken-hearted and gutless."[49]

Jeff Gaspin also defended Leno: "This has definitely crossed the line. Jay Leno is the consummate professional and one of the hardest-working people in television. It's a shame that he's being pulled into this."[48]

Paul Reiser and Jerry Seinfeld are two of the number of celebrities to have voiced support for Leno.[50][51]

Responding to the mounting criticism, Leno claimed that NBC had assured him that O'Brien was willing to accept the proposed arrangement and then would not let either host out of his contract.[52] Leno also said that the situation was "all business."[52] He appeared on the January 28 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show in an attempt to repair some of the damage done to his public image.[53][54]

Personal life

Leno with President Barack Obama in March 2009

Leno has been married since 1980 to Mavis Leno; they have no children.[55]

He is known for his prominent jaw, which has been described as mandibular prognathism.[56] In the book Leading with My Chin he stated that he is aware of surgery that could reset his mandible, but does not wish to endure a prolonged healing period with his jaws wired shut.

Leno is dyslexic.[6] He claims to sleep only four to five hours each night.[57] Leno does not drink or smoke, nor does he gamble.[58] He spends most of his free time visiting car collections or working in his private garage.[58]

Leno reportedly earns $32 million each year;[59] his total net worth is unknown, but has been estimated to be at least $150 million.[60]

Charity

In 2001, along with his wife, he donated $100,000 to the Feminist Majority's campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan, to educate the public regarding the plight of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Mavis Leno is on the board of the Feminist Majority.[61][62]

In 2009, he donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund at Salem State College in honor of Lennie Sogoloff. Mr. Sogoloff gave Leno his start at his jazz club, Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike.[63]

Love Ride

Since 1985 Jay Leno has been the grand marshal for the Love Ride, a motorcycle charity event which since its founding in 1984 has raised nearly $14 million dollars for charities benefiting muscular dystrophy research and, in 2011, Autism Speaks.[citation needed]

Leno arriving at the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards in his Hispano-Suiza Aero[64]

Vehicle collection

Leno owns approximately 100 vehicles, not including about 90 motorcycles.[65] He also has a website called "Jay Leno's Garage," which contains video clips and photos of his automobiles in detail.[66]

He has a regular column in Popular Mechanics which showcases his car collection and gives advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet-powered motorcycle and solar-powered hybrid. Leno also writes occasional "Motormouth" articles for The Sunday Times,[67] reviewing high-end sports cars and giving his humorous take on automotive matters.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Jay Leno Biography". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  2. ^ Breuer, Howard, and Stephen M, Silverman (2008-06-24). "Carlin Remembered: He Helped Other Comics with Drug Problems". People. Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-06-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ James Hirsen, Dennis Miller: Why I 'Ascended' to the Right, NewsMax.com, February 5, 2004.
  4. ^ Adalian, Josef (January 21, 2010). "Exclusive: Conan, NBC Officially Splitsville (Updated)". The Wrap. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  5. ^ "Jay Leno Biography (1950–)". Film Reference. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c Carter, Bill. "Pushed From Late Night, Leno Is Set for Prime Time" The New York Times, 12 September 2009.
  7. ^ Aivaz, Mike (October 18, 2007). "Obama on Leno: Hillary has declared 'mission accomplished' too soon". The Raw Story. Retrieved May 11, 2008. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Carson cuts appearances". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, Ga. Associated Press. June 2, 1987. p. 14. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  9. ^ "NBC signs Jay Leno to contract extension". USA Today. Associated Press. March 31, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  10. ^ Carter, Bill (September 27, 2004). "Conan O'Brien to Succeed Jay Leno in 2009, NBC Announces". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  11. ^ "LENO/WGA: WHAT'S THE REAL STORY? NBC Claims Jay Asked For & Received WGA Permission To Write Monologue At Secret Monday Meeting With Verrone". Deadline Hollywood Daily. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  12. ^ Verrier, Richard (2009-08-11). "WGA: No chin music for Jay Leno". Company Town. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  13. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (2009-08-11). "Jay Leno cleared of strike violations; WGA West issues penalties in three cases". Variety. New York City: Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  14. ^ della Cava, Marco (July 17, 2008). "Jay Leno Gears up for Life After 'Tonight'". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  15. ^ Hannah, Jack (2009-04-23). "Jay Leno hospitalized; 'Tonight Show' tapings canceled". CNN.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  16. ^ Dillon, Nancy (April 24, 2009). "Jay Leno released from the hospital". New York: NYDailyNews. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  17. ^ a b "Jay Leno misses first show in 17 years". Canada.com. Winnipeg, Manitoba: Canwest Publishing Inc. Reuters. 2009-04-24. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  18. ^ Warrick, Pamela (2009-05-01). "Jay Leno Reveals Mystery Ailment: Exhaustion". People.com. Time Inc. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  19. ^ Sweetingham, Lisa (May 24, 2005). "Comedians Jay Leno and Chris Tucker testify for Michael Jackson". Court TV. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  20. ^ Bryant, Karyn (2005-03-08). "[[Showbiz Tonight]]". CNN. Retrieved 2008-05-11. {{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  21. ^ Moore, Frazier (May 18, 2008). "NBC's Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien swap prompts rumors". Newsday. Associated Press. Retrieved October 26, 2008.[dead link]
  22. ^ Carter, Bill (July 22, 2008). "Date Is Set for Leno's 'Tonight' Finale". The New York Times. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  23. ^ Carter, Bill (2009-05-30). "Jay Leno Takes Final Bow on 'Tonight Show'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  24. ^ Carter, Bill (December 9, 2008). "Where Is Leno Going? To Prime Time, on NBC". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  25. ^ "Leno's last 'Tonight' announced". CNN.com. Associated Press. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008. Leno's last show was Friday, May 29, and O'Brien started the following Monday, June 1, NBC executives told a Television Critics Association meeting Monday.
  26. ^ Jay Leno Reveals What To Expect From His New Primetime Show
  27. ^ "Future For NBC's Tonight Show Up In The Air", Los Angeles Times, January 2010.
  28. ^ "Jay Leno Heading Back To Late Night, Conan O’Brien Weighing Options".
  29. ^ Finke, Nikki (2010-01-07). NBC ON THE HOT SEAT: Will It Be Jay AND Conan In Late Night? What's The Reason For Leno's Anti-NBC Monologue Tonight?. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
  30. ^ "NBC confirms move of "Leno Show"[dead link]"
  31. ^ "Update: NBC Plans Leno at 11:30, Conan at 12", The New York Times, 7 January 2010.
  32. ^ "NBC to Conan O'Brien – The Choice Is Yours", TMZ, 8 January 2010.
  33. ^ Conan Won't Do "The Tonight Show" Following Leno, MSNBC.com, 12 January 2010.
  34. ^ Robert Seidman , NBC Announces That Jay Leno Will Return To Host “The Tonight Show” Beginning March 1, tvbythenumbers.com, 21 January 2010.
  35. ^ NBC Universal Confirms Conan O’Brien Exit Deal Signed from Bloomberg via Business Week
  36. ^ Conan O'Brien, NBC reach deal[dead link] from CBC News
  37. ^ Levine, Stuart (2010-07-01). "'Kimmel,' 'Nightline' show demo increase". Variety.
  38. ^ Pike, Julie (September 7, 2010). "Tonight Show Ratings Plummet – Jay Leno Sinks Beneath Conan O'Brien Numbers". The National Ledger. The National Ledger, LLC. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  39. ^ Piccalo, Gina (October 24, 2010). "Comedians Laugh as Leno Sinks". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  40. ^ The Wall Street Journal article: "Why Some Comics Aren’t Laughing at Jay Leno".
  41. ^ a b Kansas City Star article: "Jay Leno is Mr. Nice Guy no more — but was he ever?[dead link]".
  42. ^ a b Digital Journal article: Jay Leno in 2004: "In '09, Conan, it's yours"
  43. ^ Funnyordie.com: 2004 Tonight Show Clip: "Conan, It's yours!"
  44. ^ The Huffington Post article: "Patton Oswalt: Jay Leno Is Like Nixon, I Don't Like Him".
  45. ^ Porter, Rick (2010-01-14). "Rosie O'Donnell is on Team Conan". Zap2it. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  46. ^ New York Daily News article: "Rosie O'Donnell, Jimmy Kimmel slam Jay Leno over Tonight Show battle."
  47. ^ New York Magazine article: "Rosie O’Donnell Has More to Say About Jay Leno."
  48. ^ a b Los Angeles Times article: "Taking on America's 'nice guy'", p. 2.
  49. ^ Los Angeles Times article: "Taking on America's 'nice guy'".
  50. ^ The Huffington Post article: "Paul Reiser: A Teachable Moment."
  51. ^ The Wrap article: "Seinfeld on Jay-Conan Debacle: 'I Can't Blame NBC'."
  52. ^ a b Entertainment Weekly article: "Jay Leno Tries to Make Nice, While Conan Rallies the Troops."
  53. ^ Perez Hilton article: "Oprah Shows Some Tonight Show Love".
  54. ^ TV.com article: "Confirmed, Jay Leno to Restore Reputation on 'Oprah'[dead link]".
  55. ^ "Jay Leno". Who's Who in America. Marquis.
  56. ^ Chudley, A.E. (1998). "Genetic landmarks through philately – The Habsburg jaw". Clinical Genetics. 54 (4): 283–284. doi:10.1034/j.1399-0004.1998.5440404.x. PMID 9831338. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  57. ^ Mike McLeod, Jay Leno – The Tonight Show's $1 Billion Man Collects Cars and Motorcycles, go-star.com
  58. ^ a b Nevada Magazine article: "Classic cars and comedy".
  59. ^ Forbes article: "Jay Leno – The Top 100 Celebrities".
  60. ^ CelebrityNetWorth.com: "Jay Leno's Net Worth."
  61. ^ "Hollywood's Latest Cause: Can A Pack Of Celebrities Save Afghanistan's Women?". Newsweek. December 6, 1999.
  62. ^ Greenberg, Susan H. (February 21, 2000). "So Many Causes, So Little Time Save The Rain Forest! Free Tibet! For Today's Stars, There's No Business Like Fund-Raising Business". Newsweek.
  63. ^ "Leno says thanks with $100k check". The Boston Herald. April 12, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  64. ^ Update: 1915 Hispano-Suiza Aero Engine Car (video), jaylenosgarage.com
  65. ^ The Cars, jaylenosgarage.com
  66. ^ "Jay Leno's Garage". Official Website.
  67. ^ Moran, Michael (May 9, 2007). "Jay Leno's million dollar garage". London: The Times. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
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Preceded by Host of The Tonight Show
March 1, 2010–present 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by Host of The Tonight Show
May 25, 1992 – May 29, 2009 		Succeeded by

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