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| '''Jay Leno''' (born '''James Douglas Muir-Leno''' [[April 28]], [[1950]]) is an [[Emmy]]-winning [[United States|American]] [[comedy|comedian]] who is best known as the current host of [[NBC]] television's long-running [[variety show|variety]] and [[talk show|talk]] program ''[[The Tonight Show]]''. He also owns [[Big Dog Productions]], a company that co-produces the show. | | '''Jay Leno''' (born '''James Douglas Muir-Leno''' April 28, 1950) is an Emmy-winning American comedian who is best known as the current host of NBC television's long-running variety and talk program ''The Tonight Show''. He also owns Big Dog Productions, a company that co-produces the show. More specific to cars, he is one of the most celebrated car enthusiasts with his own program [[Jay Leno's Garage]] |
| ==Early years==
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| '''Leno''' was born in [[New Rochelle, New York|New Rochelle]], [[New York]] to a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] mother, who came to the United States as a five-year old, and an [[Italian-American]] father.[http://www.discoverthenetwork.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1757] He grew up in [[Andover, Massachusetts]], and received his [[Bachelor's degree]] in [[Speech therapy]] from [[Emerson College]] in [[1973 in television|1973]].
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| ==Host of ''The Tonight Show''==
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| When Johnny Carson retired in 1992 Jay Leno became the new permanent host of ''The Tonight Show'' after a long period of debate and negotiations with Leno and David Letterman (who had been considered by many to be Carson's heir apparent). Letterman signed a deal with CBS, sparking an ongoing late-night rivalry between the two talk-show hosts. Although Letterman's ''Late Show'' led in the ratings at the start, ''The Tonight Show'' took over the lead in 1995 and has generally had higher ratings ever since.
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| Although known mainly for his wit he was also known for his flamboyant behavior with guests. He has also shown his sensitive side on air. When ''The Tonight Show'' came back after the September 11 attacks, he nixed his usual monologue to talk about what had happened. He also spoke about the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. In addition, following the skating controversy surrounding the ice skating pairs event at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Leno invited the Canadian pairs teams onto his show the following day and waved a Canadian flag and played "O Canada" for them. And when Johnny Carson died in January 2005, he did one night of the ''The Tonight Show'' as a tribute to his predecessor.
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| In 1998, Jay Leno and his show partner Kevin Eubanks were invited to a professional wrestling show called ''WCW Road Wild 1998'', from [[Sturgis]], South Dakota, in which Leno teamed with Diamond Dallas Page to wrestle against Hulk Hogan and WCW President Eric Bischoff, following a prelude in which the wrestling stars had appeared on ''The Tonight Show''. The match ended with Page and Leno's victory when Eubanks sneaked a fast Diamond Cutter on Bischoff.
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| In 2002, Leno had a group of professionals build him a robot called "Chin Killa" for Battlebots. Although the officials from the show let his robot fight in fun matches, they wouldn't allow it to fight in tournaments because it was built by professionals.
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| On May 12, 2003, he and then ''Today Show'' host Katie Couric switched places, meaning Leno co-hosted the ''Today Show'' with Matt Lauer.
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| On ''The Tonight Show'''s 50-year anniversary episode (September 27, 2004), he announced that he would retire as host in 2009, when his current contract expires, as part of an arrangement that allowed NBC to have ''Late Night'' host Conan O'Brien replace him.
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| According to the [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/207B.html Forbes] 100, Leno earned $32 million in 2005, which is surprisingly less than his rival David Letterman, who tops Leno by $8 million with a $40 million paycheck in 2005. Letterman apparently owns the rights to his program, as opposed to Leno who inherited the long-running ''Tonight Show''.
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| ==Acting, cameos and voice acting==
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| Leno is not widely known as an actor (legendarily, in auditioning for a role on ''Mork & Mindy'' which would go to Jay Thomas, he was told that he had a face that would scare children), but he had 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''.
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| 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 supposed to differentiate clips from Martin's two new movies ''[[Shopgirl]]'' and ''[[Cheaper by the Dozen 2]]'', with Martin taking twenty dollars from Leno if he got one wrong.) The last clip played was from ''Collision Course'', which Leno immediately said was "a horrible movie." Martin said Leno was right, but he would still lose twenty dollars for making it.
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| Leno also appeared in an episode of the television series ''[[Good Times]]'', in which his character promotes getting tested for [[venereal diseases]]. He also appeared as one of the "pool guys" in the original 1977 version of ''[[Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 film)|Fun with Dick and Jane]]''.
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| Since becoming the host of the ''Tonight Show'', Leno has made a number of [[cameo appearance]]s, usually appearing as a talk show host or making fun of his famous chin. In 1993, Leno played the voice of the dinosaur Voob 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]]. In 1998, he made a voice cameo as himself on an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' entitled ''[[The Last Temptation of Krust]]''. Leno also had a cameo in ''[[Family Guy]]'', trying to kill ''[[Tom Brady]]'' of the New England Patriots for some unknown reason. Leno has made several cameos in the animated series ''[[South Park]]'', once as a cat and twice as himself, the latter two making fun of his chin to exponential proportions. He also made appearances on the sitcoms ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'', ''[[The Nanny (TV series)|The Nanny]]'', ''[[Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'', and ''[[Titus (TV series)|Titus]]''. Making fun of his own facial features, he plays the "[[Crimson Chin]]" on ''[[The Fairly Odd Parents]]''. In 2005, he lent his voice to a talking [[fire hydrant]] in the computer animated movie, ''[[Robots (movie)|Robots]]''. He also made a cameo appearance for [[Fox NFL Sunday]] in a fictitious interview with prognasticator [[Frank Caliendo]]'s impression of [[Terry Bradshaw]]. In [[2006]], he provided the voice of an [[armadillo]] named "Fast Tony" in ''[[Ice Age 2: The Meltdown]]'', and in the Pixar/Disney film ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' he voiced "Jay Limo". He made a cameo appearance in an episode of TV sitcom ''[[Just Shoot Me]]'', in a fictitious interview with [[David Spade]]'s character, Dennis Finch. He made at least one appearance on NBC's ''[[The West Wing (TV series)|The West Wing]]'' playing himself at a California fundraiser for the president, Jed Bartlet. He has also appeared on ''[[Home Improvement]]'' as a mechanic in a wealthy car collector's garage (in reality his own collection).
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| He also appeared as himself, doing ''Tonight Show'' monologues regarding the main characters in the films ''[[Mr. 3000]]'', ''[[Ed TV]]'', ''[[Contact (film)|Contact]]'', ''[[First Daughter (2004 film)|First Daughter]]'', ''[[Dave (film)|Dave]]'', ''[[In & Out]]'', and ''[[The Birdcage]]''. In the movie ''[[Space Cowboys]]'', he hosted a fictional ''Tonight Show'' segment featuring the four [[astronaut]] protagonists (played by [[Clint Eastwood]], [[James Garner]], [[Tommy Lee Jones]], and [[Donald Sutherland]]) just before their space mission. Later, in a case of life imitating art, the four actors appeared together on The Tonight Show to promote their film.
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| ==Michael Jackson trial==
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| In the [[2005 trial of Michael Jackson]] over allegations of child abuse, Leno appeared as a defense witness (many celebrity defense witnesses had been expected, but Leno was one of the few who actually testified). As a witness in the case, Leno was initially not allowed to continue telling jokes about Jackson or the case, which had been a fixture of the show's opening monologue in particular; however, he and his show's writers exploited a legal loophole by having Leno briefly step aside while stand-in [[comedians]] took the stage and told jokes regarding the trial. Stand-ins included [[Roseanne Barr]], [[Drew Carey]], [[Brad Garrett]], and [[Dennis Miller]], among others.[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/08/sbt.01.html]
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| 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.
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| In his testimony, the defense expected him 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 [http://www.courttv.com/trials/jackson/052405_ctv.html].
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| ==Car Collection== | | ==Car Collection== |
| {{seealso|Jay Leno's vehicles}}
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| 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]] collection on which he constantly works in his spare time, and he routinely drives cars from his collection (including an original [[Stanley Steamer]]) from his home to his studio. He is also a promoter of the mechanical crafts through a column in ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' and his educational activities. | | 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]] collection on which he constantly works in his spare time, and he routinely drives cars from his collection (including an original [[Stanley Steamer]]) from his home to his studio. He is also a promoter of the mechanical crafts through a column in ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' and his educational activities. |
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| Leno rides his motorcycles in his spare time. | | Leno rides his motorcycles in his spare time. |
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| In 2001, Leno 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 $1,505,100. | | In 2001, Leno 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 $1,505,100. |
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| The Blastolene Special [http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=8789] is a 21-foot-long aluminum-bodied roadster powered by a [[V12 engine]] from an M-47 [[Patton tank]] Leno bought from Blastolene Brothers. [http://www.blastolene.com/jay_leno/index.htm] It was featured in the [[2005]] racing game ''[[Gran Turismo 4]]'', and [[Monster Garage]]. | | The Blastolene Special [http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=8789] is a 21-foot-long aluminum-bodied roadster powered by a [[V12]] engine from an M-47 Patton tank Leno bought from Blastolene Brothers. [http://www.blastolene.com/jay_leno/index.htm] It was featured in the 2005 racing game ''Gran Turismo 4'', and Monster Garage. |
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| Leno also owns a 250mph 320bhp turbine powered motorcyle called the [[MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE|Y2K]] from [[Marine Turbine Tech|MTT]] a company specialized in turbine applications. Leno made several TV programs [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7_-t6_3dw] showing his $185,000 bike. | | Leno also owns a 250mph 320bhp turbine powered motorcyle called the Y2K from MTT a company specialized in turbine applications. Leno made several TV programs [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7_-t6_3dw] showing his $185,000 bike. |
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| Leno's column in the American automotive magazine ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' showcases his extensive car collection. Additionally, Leno uses his column as a platform to give advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet powered motorcycle. | | Leno's column in the American automotive magazine ''Popular Mechanics'' showcases his extensive car collection. Additionally, Leno uses his column as a platform to give advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet powered motorcycle. |
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| Jay Leno's passion for classic automobiles led him to an affiliation with the Automobile Restoration Department at [[McPherson College]]. Today Leno serves on the National Advisory Board for the college's automotive restoration program and helps fund the [[Fred Duesenberg]] Memorial Scholarship. | | Jay Leno's passion for classic automobiles led him to an affiliation with the Automobile Restoration Department at McPherson College. Today Leno serves on the National Advisory Board for the college's automotive restoration program and helps fund the [[Fred Duesenberg]] Memorial Scholarship. |
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| "Leno even has a [[Hot Wheels]] hand painted with water colors" - Felipe Sanchez | | "Leno even has a [[Hot Wheels]] hand painted with water colors" - Felipe Sanchez |
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| == Trivia== | | ==See Also== |
| {{toomuchtrivia}}
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| {{wikiquote}}
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| {{commons|Jay Leno}}
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| * Early in their careers, George Clooney and [[Jay Leno]], were simultaneously sheltered by her, according to the January 2nd, 2007 show of Tonight Show with Jay Leno when George Clooney was the guest. | | * [[Jay Leno's Garage]] |
| | | * [[Jay Leno's Vehicles]] |
| *On June 14, 2006, in an episode of ''The Tonight Show'', Jay Leno said he defined his politics as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
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| *Leno worked at McDonald's on Main Street in Andover, Massachusetts in the early '70s.
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| *Leno attended Bentley College before dropping out and eventually receiving his bachelor's degree from Emerson College.
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| *Leno's uncle Nick is the original owner of Leno's Clam Bar (known to locals as ''Greasy Nick's''), a seasonal clam bar located in New Rochelle, New York. Denzel Washington, a native of nearby Mount Vernon, has shared his fond memories of visiting ''Greasy Nick's'' with Jay on the Tonight Show. [http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=2110&RefID=2012]
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| *Since 1980, Leno has been married to Mavis Leno, who is known for her work with Afghan women under the Taliban. They have no children.
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| *In late October 2005, Leno told ''The New York Daily News'' for an October 31 article that he and rival David Letterman have not spoken to each other in 13 years[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/360910p-307519c.html].
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| *On February 19, 2006, Leno drove the [[pace car]] to start the 2006 Daytona 500, and the 2006 [[NASCAR]] season. | |
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| *Resides in Beverly Hills, California.
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| *He suffers from dyslexia.
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| *In a June 1994 episode, Leno was delivering a monologue that included something about legendary ''The Price Is Right'' host Bob Barker. Barker made a cameo appearance to warn Leno "'''No more Bob Barker jokes.'''" Leno agreed.
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| *Leno voices Cartman's Kitty in the ''South Park'' episode "Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut".
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| *At one point in his life, Leno worked 300 clubs a year.
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| *He voices Jay Limo, an anthropomorphized car that resembles him in the Disney/Pixar film ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]''.
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| *Leno has noted that one of his major pet peeves is when people dress up their pets. He usually mentions this during the Headlines segment, when he shows a picture submitted of a pet having been dressed up.
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| *Leno always recognized and appreciated the popular comedians of yesteryears on his show. On the death of Bob Hope in 2003 and Mike Douglas in 2006, he recognized their valuable contributions to the entertainment industry and also talked about their pleasing personalities during his Tonight Show segments on TV.
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| *Leno has on several occasions made fun of his large chin. Every year on a hot summer day, he broadcasts a sketch where he climbs to the top of the Burbank NBC Studios to use his chin to eclipse the sun, saving the people below from that day's sweltering heat wave.
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| *On August 6, 2006, Leno appeared as a guest host of ''Ebert & Roeper'' in the place of Roger Ebert who was having medical problems at the time.
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| *Leno is parodied in the ''Drawn Together'' episode "Mexican't Buy Me Love" as Jose Leno, the Mexican version of Jay Leno
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| *Leno once rolled his parents' car when he was younger.
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| *Leno considers the Sylvester Stallone movie ''Driven'' to be the worst car movie ever made, as was revealed when he guest co-hosted Ebert & Roeper.
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| *Leno has stated in Parade Magazine that he has not eaten a vegetable since 1969. He commented about his unhealthy diet by saying "Hey, I'm married. I'm not trying to pick up girls." That 37 year streak was broken after eating broccoli in front of a live Burbank, Calif. audience after being written letters by a concerned 2nd grade class on the importance of eating healthy.
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| *Tried to kill Tom Brady in an episode of Family Guy.
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| ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| | * [http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/ Jay Leno's Garage] |
| * [http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/bios/Jay_Leno.shtml Official ''Tonight Show'' biography] | | * [http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/bios/Jay_Leno.shtml Official ''Tonight Show'' biography] |
| * [http://www.collectica.com/public/celebProfile.do?publicView=true&collector=jleno&collectionCategory=10&moffset=0&offset=0 Jay Leno's Car Collection] | | * [http://www.collectica.com/public/celebProfile.do?publicView=true&collector=jleno&collectionCategory=10&moffset=0&offset=0 Jay Leno's Car Collection] |
| *[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/automobiles/collectibles/11SCHOOL.html?ex=1307678400en=5a61033048e04523ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss&pagewanted=print New York Times on Leno's affiliation with McPherson College] | | *[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/automobiles/collectibles/11SCHOOL.html?ex=1307678400en=5a61033048e04523ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss&pagewanted=print New York Times on Leno's affiliation with McPherson College] |
| | | *[http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/jay-leno-to-be-honored-with-la-bella-macchina-award/ Jay Leno to be honored with La Bella Macchina Award] |
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Jay Leno (born James Douglas Muir-Leno April 28, 1950) is an Emmy-winning American comedian who is best known as the current host of NBC television's long-running variety and talk program The Tonight Show. He also owns Big Dog Productions, a company that co-produces the show. More specific to cars, he is one of the most celebrated car enthusiasts with his own program Jay Leno's Garage
Car Collection
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 collection on which he constantly works in his spare time, and he routinely drives cars from his collection (including an original Stanley Steamer) from his home to his studio. He is also a promoter of the mechanical crafts through a column in Popular Mechanics and his educational activities.
Leno rides his motorcycles in his spare time.
In 2001, Leno 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 $1,505,100.
The Blastolene Special [1] is a 21-foot-long aluminum-bodied roadster powered by a V12 engine from an M-47 Patton tank Leno bought from Blastolene Brothers. [2] It was featured in the 2005 racing game Gran Turismo 4, and Monster Garage.
Leno also owns a 250mph 320bhp turbine powered motorcyle called the Y2K from MTT a company specialized in turbine applications. Leno made several TV programs [3] showing his $185,000 bike.
Leno's column in the American automotive magazine Popular Mechanics showcases his extensive car collection. Additionally, Leno uses his column as a platform to give advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet powered motorcycle.
Jay Leno's passion for classic automobiles led him to an affiliation with the Automobile Restoration Department at McPherson College. Today Leno serves on the National Advisory Board for the college's automotive restoration program and helps fund the Fred Duesenberg Memorial Scholarship.
"Leno even has a Hot Wheels hand painted with water colors" - Felipe Sanchez
See Also
External links
