 Jay Leno follows in the footsteps of
legendary NBC late-night hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson and is
the host of the Emmy Award-winning and top-rated “The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno.” Beginning his 15th season in May 2006, Jay Leno has created his own
unique late-night style with a combination of humor, talk and entertainment each
night at the wee hours when viewers want to wind down with a few laughs before
drifting off to dreamland.
Jay 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 people in show business and the hardest
working -- a winning combination for the man who says “Anyone can have a life -
careers are hard to come by!”
In addition to the upcoming 15-year
milestone, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” has experienced numerous highlights
during his reign, including winning four Emmy Awards - the first in 1995 for
Outstanding Comedy, Variety or Music Series, and 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. Jay 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.
Prior to becoming host of “Tonight,” Jay
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 March 2,
1977, and he made numerous additional appearances on “Tonight” as well as NBC’s
former program “Late Night with David Letterman.”
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. Jay Leno 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.
Jay Leno’s children’s book “If Roast Beef
Could Fly” (from Simon & Schuster) hit bookstores in April 2004 and immediately
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 Jay Leno’s
book proceeds go to various charities).
Jay Leno was born in New Rochelle, New
York, and raised in Andover, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Mavis, live in Los
Angeles. In his spare time, he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars
and motorcycles.
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