Jay Leno

Jay Leno is an Emmy-winning TV host and one of America’s most beloved TV personalities. Leno got his comedy start in college after founding a comedy club. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in Boston before moving to Los Angeles.

The comic landed roles in a handful of films and TV series, including Late Night with David Letterman. After a few appearances as substitute host on The Tonight Show, Leno officially replaced Johnny Carson as host in 1992. Three years later, Leno won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series. By 2008, the show garnered over 5 million nightly viewers, and Leno’s continued ideation for new segments and musical guests helped the show win four Emmys total during his time hosting. He briefly left the show in 2009, but returned after ratings began to drop. Leno’s final appearance on The Tonight Show was in 2014; the position was handed off to Jimmy Fallon.

Leno accumulated numerous accolades throughout his time as a late-night host and comedian, including a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. In 2014, Leno began hosting Jay Leno’s Garage; the show ran until 2022.

He published a memoir about his life as a late-night host in 1996 entitled Leading with My Chin. The comedian has also lent his voice to projects such as The Simpsons and Cars (2006).

Leno married philanthropist Mavis Leno in 1980.