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Jay Leno
Television Host, Author & Comedian
Jay Leno
Television Host, Author & Comedian
Biography
The host of the Emmy Award-winning and top-rated Tonight Show, Jay Leno has created his own unique late-night style combining humor, talk, and entertainment each night at 11:35—the wee hours when viewers want to wind down with a few laughs before drifting off to dreamland. Leno’s “everyman” style and personality have helped him earn millions of fans worldwide, but primarily in the regions where people can relate to his personable style and work ethic. He has been touted as one of the nicest and hardest working people in show business—a winning combination for the man who says, “Anyone can have a life—careers are hard to come by!”
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno has achieved numerous highlights during his reign, including winning four Emmy Awards—the first in 1995 for Outstanding Comedy, Variety, or Music Series; and others—in 1996, 1997, and 1999—for Outstanding Technical Direction. In 1999 and 2000, The Tonight Show took home the trophy for Favorite Late Night Show in the annual TV Guide Awards determined by voting viewers. Leno’s personal highlights include receiving a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events.
One of the country’s premier comedians, Jay Leno has appeared in hundreds of comedy shows around the United States for the past 20 years. In 2001, he traveled to Bosnia, where he performed for military troops associated with the war in Afghanistan. He also traveled to Aviano, Italy, in 1995 to entertain military troops associated with the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia. He remains passionate about performing in front of live audiences and appears regularly in Las Vegas, on college campuses around the United States, and in other venues.
Prior to becoming host of The Tonight Show, Leno had been the exclusive guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson since September 1987. He first appeared as a guest on the show in March 1977 and made numerous additional appearances on The Tonight Show, as well as NBC’s former program Late Night with David Letterman.
Leno’s children’s book, If Roast Beef Could Fly, was a New York Times bestseller. His other books include How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (or Just in Your Class); Leading with My Chin; four versions of Headlines, the compilation of books and desk calendars featuring his favorite funny newspaper headlines; and Police Blotter, a book with more humorous newspaper clips involving police stories. All of Leno’s book proceeds go to various charities.
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