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In his testimony, he was expected to say he called police to say the accuser was coached by his mother to ask for money. Instead, Leno testified he never called the police, no money was asked for, and there was no coaching but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-11|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=2005-05-24|author=Sweetingham, Lisa}}</ref>
In his testimony, he was expected to say he called police to say the accuser was coached by his mother to ask for money. Instead, Leno testified he never called the police, no money was asked for, and there was no coaching but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2008-05-11|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=2005-05-24|author=Sweetingham, Lisa}}</ref>


[[E! Entertainment Television]] created a re-enactment of Jay's testimony using the actual trial transcript, with [[Jimmy Kimmel]] as Jay.
[[E! Entertainment Television]] created a re-enactment of Jay's testimony using the actual trial transcript, with [[Jimmy Kimmel]] as Jay{{fact}}.


===Acting, cameos and voice overs===
===Acting, cameos and voice overs===

Revision as of 00:34, 11 December 2008

Jay Leno
Jay Leno in 2005
Birth nameJames Douglas Muir Leno
Born (1950-04-28) April 28, 1950 (age 74)
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Years active1973–present
GenresObservational comedy
Subject(s)Everyday life, American culture
SpouseMavis Nicholson Leno (1980—present)
Notable works and rolesHost of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)
WebsiteThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedian and television host, who succeeded Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show in 1992. Leno will continue to host The Tonight Show until May 29, 2009;[1] Late Night host Conan O'Brien is his scheduled successor.[1] Beginning that fall, he will have a primetime talk show, tentatively titled The Jay Leno Show on NBC.[2]

Biography

Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York on April 28, 1950. His mother, Catherine (née Muir), a filmmaker, was born in Greenock, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 31. Her schooling was limited and as a result she prized her children's success. His father, Angelo Leno, who worked in show business, was born in New York to immigrants from Flumeri, Italy.[3] Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, and although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he drop out of high school, Jay not only graduated but went on to receive a bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Emerson College, in 1987. He also attended Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, but did not like it. Leno's siblings include his late brother Patrick, who was a veteran.[4]

As Leno was growing up he used to say that he would take over Johnny Carson's job, which Leno eventually did. Early in his career Leno did commercials for Doritos brand tortilla chips. In the late 1970s, he was the warm-up act for Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones and John Denver. He replaced Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show in 1992, after having been a regular substitute host for Carson since 1987.[5] Leno has continued to perform as a stand-up comedian throughout his tenure on The Tonight Show.

In 2004, Leno signed a contract extension with NBC which would keep him as host of The Tonight Show until 2009.[6] Later in 2004, however, 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.[7] Because Leno's show continues to lead all late-night programming in the Nielsen ratings, the pending expiration of Leno's contract has led to speculation about whether he will become a late-night host for another network after his commitment to NBC expires.[8] Leno's last Tonight Show is scheduled for May 29, 2009.[9] NBC has made offers to Leno to stay with the network after he hands off The Tonight Show to O'Brien, but he's weighing his options.[10] On December 8, 2008, it was reported that Leno will remain on NBC and move to a new hour-long show at 10 P.M. five nights a week.[11] This show will be in a similar format to the tonight show, taped in the same studio, and retaining many of Leno's most popular bits.

During an August 1, 2007, interview with CNN journalist Anderson Cooper on The Tonight Show, Leno confirmed that he is dyslexic.[citation needed] He has been married since 1980 to Mavis Leno. He has no children.

Leno has stated that he saves all of his income from The Tonight Show and lives solely off his income from stand-up comedy.[12]

Leno is known for his prominent jaw, which has been described as mandibular prognathism.[13]


Comedic/broadcasting style

Leno's comedic style is chiefly observational, with storytelling and topical humor often mixed into his routine. Leno's comedic delivery is usually straightforward and that of a folksy, "everyman" personality.

An audience favorite since Leno's hosting of The Tonight Show is his weekly installment Headlines, in which he features unintentionally humorous newspaper articles, advertisements and other printed media that viewers mail into the show, especially crime reports, nuptial announcements and menus. Leno has a penchant for media items involving stupid criminals, bad foreign language to English translations for household or food items, and he especially finds amusement from unhappy looking animals in silly costumes. Leno has highlighted his cat Cheeses dressed up with a limousine driver's cap in past installments. Leno also has written a series of book collections taken from Headlines, published by Grand Central Publishing.

Another recurring sketch on Leno's Tonight Show is Jaywalking, where Leno asks people off the street some questions regarding current or historical events. Leno frequents the areas just outside the NBC studios such as down Melrose Avenue or within Universal Studios Hollywood's City Walk.

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 who actually testified). Thus 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.[14]

After NBC challenged the gag order, the judge permitted Leno to make jokes, as long as they were not related to his testimony. After the gag order was lifted, the next show featured a monologue entirely of Michael Jackson jokes.

In his testimony, he was expected to say he called police to say the accuser was coached by his mother to ask for money. Instead, Leno testified he never called the police, no money was asked for, and there was no coaching but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.[15]

E! Entertainment Television created a re-enactment of Jay's testimony using the actual trial transcript, with Jimmy Kimmel as Jay[citation needed].

Acting, cameos and voice overs

Leno is not widely known as an actor, but he did have a number of small roles early in his career in mostly unsuccessful movies; an exception was a bit part in the more popular film American Hot Wax. His most prominent role was in the 1989 film Collision Course, a comedy about a mismatched crime fighting pair, in which he played a detective opposite Pat Morita. When Steve Martin appeared on Leno's "The Tonight Show" in December 2005, a clip from the movie appeared during Martin's game of "Name That Clip."

Leno was one of the "pool guys" in the original 1977 version of Fun with Dick and Jane. He appeared on other TV shows such as Laverne & Shirley and Alice. In 1986, Leno hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live in its 11th season (musical guest: The Neville Brothers).

Since becoming the host of the Tonight Show, Leno made a number of cameo appearances, usually appearing as a talk show host or making fun of his famous chin (due to mandibular prognathism). In 1993, Leno played the voice of the alien "Vorb" in the animated film We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story. In 1994, he played "Bedrock's Most Wanted Host," along with Cynthia Clemons, in the live-action comedy film The Flintstones. Also in 1994, he played himself in Major League II which starred Charlie Sheen. He also appeared as himself in an episode of Baywatch, in which Mitch (David Hasselhoff's character) saves him from choking to death. In 1996, Leno appeared on NBC's Homicide: Life on the Street as himself trying to get a drink in a Baltimore bar.

File:Leno.JPG
Jay Leno's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1998, Leno made a series of appearances in conjunction with World Championship Wrestling as part of the nWo storyline.

Also in 1998, he made a number of voice appearance on animated series including The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad and South Park. He provided voiceovers for animated movies Ice Age 2: The Meltdown and Cars. He also made appearances on the sitcoms The Drew Carey Show, Friends, The Nanny, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Titus, Joey, and he plays the "Crimson Chin" on The Fairly OddParents. He made a cameo appearance in an episode of TV sitcom Just Shoot Me!, and The West Wing. He has also appeared on Home Improvement as a mechanic in a wealthy car collector's garage (in reality his own collection).

He has also appeared as himself doing Tonight Show monologues or interviews in a large number of movies. He also did several car commercials in the 1980s.

Leno will appear in The Jim Henson Company's Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare, planned for release in Fall 2008.[16]

Vehicle collection

Jay Leno in one of his cars (Hispano-Suiza 8 aero engine powered) coming at the 45th Emmy Awards, September 19, 1993

In automobile collecting circles, Jay Leno is known as an avid student, collector and restorer of cars and motorcycles. He has a large antique car and motorcycle collection of various international marques. The collection spans from the early 1900s to modern vehicles. He constantly works on his collection in his spare time. The collection includes an original 1912 Stanley Steamer and a very rare 1964 Studebaker Avanti, as well as classic sports cars like Bugattis. He is also a promoter of the mechanical crafts through a column in Popular Mechanics and his educational activities.

Along with his collection of classic cars he has several high performance cars. These include a 1994 McLaren F1, Porsche Carrera GT, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Ariel Atom, Ford GT and a custom Corvette C6RS (a modified Z06 built by Pratt & Miller). This Corvette can run on either E-85 Ethanol or gasoline. His EcoJet car runs on bio-diesel fuel. Its engine is a 650 horsepower (480 kW) Honeywell LT-101 turbine. The shell is carbon fiber over Kevlar.

The Blastolene Special is a 21-foot (6.4 m)-long aluminum-bodied roadster powered by a V12 engine from an M47 Patton tank Leno bought from Blastolene Brothers.[17] It was featured in the 2005 racing game Gran Turismo 4, and Monster Garage.

Leno's column in the American magazine Popular Mechanics 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[18] (London), reviewing high end sports cars and giving his humorous take on automotive matters. He also writes a monthly column for Octane Magazine.

Leno's passion for classic cars led him to an affiliation with the Automobile Restoration Department at McPherson College. Today he serves on the National Advisory Board for the college's automotive restoration program and helps fund the Fred Duesenberg Memorial Scholarship.

Leno also has an Internet site called, "Jay Leno's Garage," which contains video clips and photos of the automobiles in detail.[19]

In 2001, he auctioned off a Harley-Davidson motorcycle signed by his celebrity guests in an effort to help victims of the September 11 attacks. The bike sold for about $360,000. In 2005, he repeated the gesture twice: early in the year to aid victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake — the bike sold for $810,000; and later to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. That bike sold for $1,550,100.

Since 2006 Leno has had his garage work on a biodiesel, turbine powered car in collaboration with GM, the EcoJet concept car.

Criticism

Howard Stern accused Leno of stealing material from him and for being such a "safe" interviewer.[20] Most notably, Stern says Leno stole the idea of the 'Jaywalking' segment, where Leno asks people on the street basic intelligence/current event questions. Stern has been upset with Leno since hiring announcer "Stuttering" John Melendez from his staff without clearing it with him first; though he gave Melendez his blessing before leaving.[21]

During the 2007–2008 WGA Writers 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 denies such a meeting.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b Associated Press (2008-07-21). "Leno's last 'Tonight' announced". CNN.com. Retrieved 2008-07-21. Leno's last show will be Friday, May 29, and O'Brien will start the following Monday, June 1, NBC executives told a Television Critics Association meeting Monday.
  2. ^ Associated Press (2008-12-08). "Report: Jay Leno to Get 10 PM Talk Show". msnbc.com. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  3. ^ "Jay Leno Biography (1950-)". Film Reference. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  4. ^ Aivaz, Mike (2007-10-18). "Obama on Leno: Hillary has declared 'mission accomplished' too soon". The Raw Story. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  5. ^ "Carson cuts appearances". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, Ga. Associated Press. 1987-06-02. p. 14. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  6. ^ "NBC signs Jay Leno to contract extension". USA Today. Associated Press. 2004-03-31. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  7. ^ Carter, Bill (2004-09-27). "Conan O'Brien to Succeed Jay Leno in 2009, NBC Announces". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  8. ^ Moore, Frazier (2008-05-18). "NBC's Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien swap prompts rumors". Newsday. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  9. ^ Carter, Bill (2008-07-22). "Date Is Set for Leno's 'Tonight' Finale". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  10. ^ NBC exec: Leno's a keeper
  11. ^ Where Is Leno Going? To Prime Time, on NBC
  12. ^ della Cava, Marco R. (2008-07-17). "Jay Leno gears up for life after 'Tonight'; video". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  13. ^ Chudley, A.E., Genetic landmarks through philately - The Habsburg jaw, Clinical Genetics. 54(4):283-284, October 1998.
  14. ^ "Showbiz Tonight". CNN. 2005-03-08. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  15. ^ Sweetingham, Lisa (2005-05-24). "Comedians Jay Leno and Chris Tucker testify for Michael Jackson". Court TV. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  16. ^ ""Tortoise vs. Hare" Coming This Fall". The Muppet News Flash. 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  17. ^ "The Blastolene Special". Blastolene. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  18. ^ "Jay Leno's million dollar garage". The Times. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  19. ^ www.jaylenosgarage.com, www.nbc.com: "Jay Leno's Garage"
  20. ^ Curtis, Bryan (2004-03-02). "The shock jock in winter". Slate. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  21. ^ FOXNews.com - Stern Rails Against Leno for Lifting 'Stuttering John' - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment
  22. ^ "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 2008-05-11.
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Preceded by Host of The Tonight Show
1992 – current 		Succeeded by
Conan O'Brien starting in 2009

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