Jay Leno Keeps Chin Up, Passion ‘Drives’ Him Back To TV
Comedian Jay Leno certainly brings new meaning to the cliché “he who laughs last.” The Hollywood Reporter (THR) let the cat out of the bag in an exclusive about a new TV show that will put Leno back in the limelight following his departure as the host of The Tonight Show in February, after 22 top-rated seasons.
The 64-year-old Leno has been courted by several channels, including CNN, The History Channel, and A&E to start a new chapter in his life with their brands.
According to the New York Daily News, Jay Leno is sticking close to his TV family and negotiating a deal with CNBC to air the new show on the cable network in prime time. No start date for the program has been revealed.
The comedian has stayed in the public eye through numerous television appearances and his own car themed web-series show called “Jay Leno’s Garage,” which could easily pave the way for Leno’s new program about his love and passion for cars. NBC gives Jay Leno and car fans a taste of what’s to come through their website.
Jay Leno made his first appearance on The Tonight Show on March 2, 1977, performing a comedy routine. For nearly 10 years, Leno had numerous minor roles in movies before landing the substitute host position for Johnny Carson in 1987.
Carson hosted the show until his retirement in 1992 when the reins were handed over to Leno, who took the show to unprecedented ratings heights for the next 17 years.
During his run as ‘King of Late Night Comedy,’ Jay Leno missed two days of work and was checked into a hospital for an unknown ailment. Later he said it was simply exhaustion.
In 2009 Conan O’Brien took over The Tonight Show and Leno fired up his new show with NBC called The Jay Leno Show. Leno also described The Tonight Show as a dynasty, saying “you hold it and hand it off to the next person.” Jimmy Fallon is the current host of show.
Jay Leno has been married to Mavis Leno since 1980; they have no children. He claims he never spent any of the money he earned from The Tonight Show and lived off his earnings as a stand-up comic.
The couple has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities, and maintain a rather quiet and subdued lifestyle, notwithstanding his collection of 886 vehicles.
A boy has got to have his toys! As previously covered by The Inquisitr, Jay Leno will have a welcome return for avid car fans and those who appreciate the rich tapestry that makes up the legend we all have come to know and love as Jay Leno.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
